We visited Zlaten Rozhen Wine Cellar in the village of Kapatovo near Melnik on the last weekend of October. The winery is a truly innovative wine destination as it offers a very unconventional concept of wine experience.
In addition to a tour of the production facility and a tasting of local wines, you have the opportunity to view unique cars from the last century.
Vintage car museum
The retro museum in the village of Kapatovo is located in close proximity to the winery and boasts a rich collection of cars and motorcycles not only from the time of socialism, but also from the beginning of the 20th century. Zafo even found the model motorbike his grandfather had ridden in the military.
Models from all over the world with a curious history and unique for Bulgaria exhibits such as Mercedes-Benz 300d Adenauer Cabriolet, Messerschmitt KR-200, Ford Model T and many others are on display.
There will be a second exhibition hall very soon. There will be a space between the two halls where the owners plan to exhibit a disassembled vintage car, through which they will present the individual stages of restoration.
Some of the vintage cars can be seen in action in the second season of the Bulgarian TV series ,,Wines”.
Wine tasting at Zlaten Rozhen Wine Cellar
The valley of Struma River welcomed us with wonderful weather. We followed the path of the wine from the grape to the bottle and got to know the local winemaking practices. We tasted 4 wines from the best series of Zlaten Rozhen accompanied by local farm cheeses and Melnik appetizers, which emphasized the individuality of each wine.
We tasted one of the most emblematic wines of the winery – Melnik sepage – a blend of the varieties Melnik 55 and Rubin – a two-time medalist at international wine competitions and one of the top 10 best Bulgarian wines.
The wine bar offers a great panoramic view of the vineyards.
Zlaten Rozhen Family Boutique Hotel
Zlaten Rozhen Wine Cellar also has a hotel base, located in the village of Rozhen – 1 km from the Rozhen Monastery. The building in which the hotel is housed is a monument of Melnik Revival architecture and a cultural monument. In the past it belonged to the local community center.
Each room in the hotel is named after a different wine variety and is furnished in an old Bulgarian country style. The wine details continue in the restaurant and the tasting room.
I highly recommend the homemade ice cream at the tavern.
Sights in the area
The Rozhen Monastery
The Rozhen Monastery is very special for us, since it was where I got engaged to my husband. The view of the Melnik pyramids is breathtaking. You are surrounded by the majesty of nature and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere and pure energy of a truly sacred place.
The Rozhen Monastery is the largest monastery in Pirin Macedonia and the second largest in Bulgaria after the Rila Monastery. It impresses with beautiful murals, stained glass and wood carvings.
The Melnik pyramids
An amazing natural phenomenon that took thousands of years to form. The pyramids are visible from all over Melnik. The eco-trail, which will take you to the exceptional rock formations, starts from the Rozhen Monastery. For the lazy, there is also a road by car.
