Wines; making and learning

Wines and wine making for the enthusiast in the Vidin region

Six days from 21^st to 27^th September

For centuries, Novo Selo and the Vidin region have been growing grapes to turn into wonderful wines – archaeological evidence indicates that fine wines from this region were sent to Rome so that the nobility could enjoy good quality wines. Whilst Gamza is the grape most famous for producing wines from this region, Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay and Italia also produce excellent wines.

The land around this region is a patch-work of fields and vineyards, some commercial but many are privately owned and of course many families make their own ‘house-wine’ from their own grapes. Some modern techniques have yet to filter down to the family producer, but commercial producers such as Ruptsi and Magura are definitely modernised.

This trip has been timed to coincide with the grape harvest for this region, therefore as grapes and their harvesting are reliant upon the weather, days may alter in terms of their sequence – I hope the avid wine enthusiast and wine maker will understand.

Day one –

• Arrive Sofia Airport – collected from the airport
• Travel towards Vidin with refreshments on the way at Vratsa
• Check in at the Hotel Rovno, Vidin
• Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant

Day two –

• A visit to Ruptsi winery including a tour of the vineyard, the production plant, explanations and degustation of wines. Ruptsi winery has gained a number of medals at international wine events for the quality of their wines – the head technician is recognised as being the finest in the region
• Return to Vidin for a short guided tour of the town and a visit to a wine shop
• Dinner at a local restaurant

Day three –

• An early breakfast with a local family before going to the vineyard to pick grapes – it is traditional to have a breakfast of Makitsa (a kind of doughnut) jams and coffee before heading to the fields. The picked grapes will be stored safely for pressing the next day
• Preparation of equipment ready for wine production the next day
• Dinner at a local restaurant

Day four –

• The making of wine: including sorting, pressing, assessment of the juice for acidity and sugar content, alteration if needed before sealing for fermentation
• A leisurely lunch with a selection of wines produced by local families
• Dinner at a local restaurant

Day five –

• Travelling to Serbia and a popular winery near to Negotin – the winery is owned and managed by Cyrille Bongiraud of France. http://www.francuskavinarija.com Cyrille has transferred skills gained in France to the slopes of Serbia. Tour of the winery and tasting.
• Lunch in a local restaurant
• Dinner in Vidin after a tour of Vidin

Day six –

• Travel to Sofia and accommodation at the Hotel Budapest
• Lunch in the hotel followed by a tour of the capital
• Dinner – a special dinner which has been designed with individual wines

Day seven –

• Breakfast
• Transfer to the airport
• Flight to the UK

Price –

The price includes personal transfers to and from Sofia airport, breakfast each morning, all evening meals (excluding drinks unless indicated), wine tour, lunches where indicated, transport in and around the region, guided walks of Vidin and Sofia and refreshments at Vratsa.Prices are based upon 12 paying visitors – if less than 12 passengers, there could be an increase to cover transport costs.

Single occupancy € 534.67

Twin/double occupancy € 476.67

Special information

As this visit is very much ‘hands-on’ and to ensure that you get as much from this trip as possible the organisers have restricted the number of participants to a maximum of 12 persons.

If anyone has specific dietary requirements please inform the organiser when you book.

Unfortunately Bulgaria is not very wheelchair friendly – however, every effort will be made to make your stay enjoyable.

Who are you helping?

VisitingVidin.com has been established and is committed to help the people of this region.Local people are actively engaged in the planning and delivery of some aspects of this trip – at no point is anyone being exploited. Furthermore, profits from this trip and any others will be transferred to Phoenix-Inspire, a non-profit charity registered and based in Bulgaria.

Phoenix Inspire aims to teach young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the necessary skills to gain meaningful employment in the hospitality industry.For more information about Phoenix Inspire please visit www.phoenix-inspirebg.org

Visitingvidin.com is affiliated with the Bulgarian travel company Rual Travel www.incomingbulgaria.com.

Rual Travel Ltd, Tour operator registration No 00062, 113 G.S. Rakovski Street, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria. Bulstat number 121855480

Find out more about Bulgaria

Find out more about Vidin