Villa Melnik Featured on the TV Show “Experience Bulgaria”

We had the pleasure of being a key destination for the team of the hit TV show “Experience Bulgaria” (Izjivei Bulgaria) on Nova TV.

Bulgaria is more than just a tourist destination – it is a living culture, an emotion, and a unique taste. This is exactly what “Experience Bulgaria” captures, as four charismatic foreigners embark on an adventure to see our country through the lens of a first encounter – authentic, unexpected, and exhilarating.

In the week following the great celebration of winemakers and vine-growers, Trifon Zarezan, the show presented the Petrich region beyond its legends and ancient lore. The explorers’ path, winding between the majestic Ograzhden, Belasitsa, and Slavyanka mountains, led them straight to Villa Melnik.

The owners of the winery, Nikola and Lyubka Zikatanov, opened their doors (and their hearts) to lead the guests through the cellar. The tour began at the top of our vertically constructed gravity-flow winery, where nature’s forces help the wine preserve its character, and continued down into the cool tunnels carved directly into the Melnik sandstone.

There, among the oak barrels, Nikola spoke about our primary mission: to preserve and celebrate Bulgarian wine and our unique local Melnik varieties.

However, the visit was about much more than theory and tasting. Nikola challenged the guests with an intriguing task rooted in his own family history. You can watch the episode to find out how Francesca, Emi, Bernie, and Stephen fared with the challenge!

Вила Мелник в предаването „Изживей България“

After the excitement of the task, the hosts welcomed their guests to an al fresco dinner right above the vineyards, featuring an incredible view of the Melnik sunset. To truly experience the winemaker’s craft in its full glory, the guests also took part in a night harvest of the Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine.

At Villa Melnik, we believe that wine is a bridge between people. We love welcoming guests and sharing the story of Bulgarian wine. We are grateful to the “Experience Bulgaria” team for letting us tell our story and for showcasing the Melnik region as we love it – authentic, hospitable, and unforgettable.

You can watch the full episode here.