The estate leading Bulgaria's winemaking renaissance

Aya Estate is a winery with a difference – a bucolic 500-acre estate in southwestern Bulgaria where wine, art and design converge. 

The idea for Aya Estate took root more than a decade ago, likely over a bottle of full-bodied Bulgarian red. Co-founders Stanimir and Dilyana Vasilevi and Nedelcho and Irena Spasovi had been friends for years, a bond cultivated through their shared appreciation of fine wine and art. They harboured a dream to create a meaningful place to enjoy the two together, and in 2025 they took the leap, opening Aya: an organic and biodynamic winery-meets-cultural destination on a 500-acre estate in Harsovo, southwestern Bulgaria.

The term 'labour of love' may be overused but it couldn't be more apt for these two families, who have worked tirelessly to develop an authentic, layered experience for both oenophiles and aesthetes, winning the One to Watch Award, as part of The 50 Best Vineyards 2026. "To have the eyes of the world towards us is an amazing feeling," says Dilyana.



The estate stretches along the Struma Valley, in the foothills of some of the highest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula – an area she describes as "completely different from anywhere else in the country."

The microclimate, where alpine air is mellowed by the Mediterranean sun, allows them to grow a mix of international grape varieties (syrah, cinsault, merlot, grenache and sangiovese). Although it is the 50-year-old broadleaf melnik vines they inherited that are their pride, the endemic grapes producing a red wine with hints of sour cherry, tobacco, dried fruit and spices.

"The vines had been abandoned, we literally brought them back to life," explains Dilyana. They also own vineyards in the north of the country, two kilometres from the Black Sea where it is cooler, the earth more fertile. Here, white grapes like sauvignon blanc and chardonnay thrive, as well as pinot noir and indigenous varieties dimyat and pamid – "the vines are still young but I can see they are promising."

The marriage of wine and art


Together, the vineyards produce around 250,000 bottles of wine annually. "While Bulgaria is typically known for its heavier wines," says Dilyana, "we lean towards the elegant style of winemaking" – a process that takes place using a gravity-flow system in the brand-new, purpose-built winery.

Aya's founders wanted "an invisible building" and it is a masterclass in integrated design. The sprawling, low-profile structure is in harmony with the landscape, hugging the golden sandstone hillside but not overshadowing it – all concrete, wood and glass, with a grass roof and never-ending views of the vines. Sunshine floods the minimalist interior, which spreads across three levels, including a soaring, cathedral-like fermentation hall, the barrel rooms and tasting areas.

All that space and light is no accident. They provide a perfect canvas for showcasing work by the country's emerging and established contemporary artists, including the site-specific installations curated by Irena which dot the estate – abstract sculptures, monumental murals and multimedia displays. There is also a dedicated room for rotating exhibitions.

"We decided it's time to show that in Bulgaria you can enjoy wine and art, one and the same," says Dilyana. The winery is open seven days a week and visitors can admire the museum-worthy pieces on the 'Walk with a Glass of Wine' tour taking guests through the winery's production site, public gallery and Zen garden ("a place to sit and listen to the sounds of nature") – with a glass of white, red or rosé in hand.

A taste of Aya Estate


For those who'd like to dig deeper into Aya's winemaking, the estate offers tastings for up to 24 people. Whether you want to learn about the different terroirs of the Struma Valley and Black Sea vineyards, focus on the grape varieties grown around Harsovo or tap into the encyclopaedic knowledge of head winemaker Kiril Miladinov, no two sessions are the same, evolving when new wines come in. Often, the tastings are paired with poetry and music or tie in with an exhibition.

What is a constant is the freshness of the food served alongside the wines. There's a working farm, kitchen gardens, orchards and beehives on the estate, with sun-ripened fruits and vegetables, artisan cheese, cured meats, homemade preserves, honey and herbs – even truffles from the woods – finding their way into chef Stephan Göke specially crafted bites.



If an ingredient isn't from the property, it's sourced nearby – fish, for example, comes from Greece, less than 100km away. Hyper-locality is also on the menu at the winery's just-opened Salon restaurant. "In the old days, salons were where artists came together to have a glass of wine and discuss art; we want it to be a bonding space, where people can enjoy food and the best wines from the Struma Valley," says Iva Trifanova, Aya Estate's CEO.

Where nature rules


As well as being a winery and cultural centre, Aya is an invitation to unwind and recharge in nature. Between sipping world-class pours and feasting on the fruits of the earth, visitors can sit in the gardens or follow the trails that crisscross the estate through pine and oak trees, wildflower meadows and the patchwork of vines – either by foot or on one of the estate's bicycles.

"In addition to the cattle, sheep, goats and rabbits on our farm, we have a little zoo with deer and alpacas – we've just welcomed our first baby alpaca," adds Iva. There's a brand-new equestrian centre (grass-roofed, of course), where people learn to ride, while more experienced riders can hack through the vineyards. It also houses a "horse spa", with a water treadmill, salt room and a vibrating floor.

Aya is the kind of place you want to spend days, not hours, which is why Dilyana et al have recently taken ownership of the boutique Relais & Chateaux hotel in the heart of the estate. As well as ensuring it has retained its One Michelin Key, they've expanded the accommodation with rustic-chic villas tucked into the forest and by the lake, as well as glamping. Days can be spent hiking or cycling, swimming in the outdoor pool or at the spa and dining in the field and farm-to-fork restaurant Aestivum, with its sweeping terrace and 300-label cellar, or in the smaller bistro.

 

And when your cup is full, the area around Melnik is ripe for exploring. "It is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, going back some 2,000 years, and the excavations are impressive," says Dilyana. "There are old monasteries, the sandstone pyramids – plus we've over 20 other wineries in the region."

With a master plan for further expansion underway (an amphitheatre with a stage for outdoor events, a wedding pavilion), Aya Estate is well and truly on the oenotourist map. "We've just started our journey," says Dilyana. "With this award, I hope that the world will come and discover our wines, as well as all the hidden gems and treasures that we have, not only in our region, but in Bulgaria."

Aya Estate is the winner of the One to Watch Award, as part of The 50 Best Vineyards 2026.