Lazarovden at Villa Melnik 2026: The Magic of Spring, Traditions, and Melnik Wine

Last Saturday, our winery was filled with life, colors, and smiles. Lazarovden (Lazarus Saturday) at Villa Melnik became a true celebration of new beginnings—a day to honor nature, youth, and the hope for a bountiful year, all while “toasting” properly with the best from our barrels. The sun was our faithful companion, and the diverse program offered excitement for every taste and age.

Starting at 10:00 AM, the air filled with enticing aromas as our Farmers’ Market welcomed its first guests. Following our tradition, we supported local producers who brought an authentic spirit to the festival:

• Art iDeya: The talented Deya not only presented her handcrafted souvenirs but also inspired guests with demonstrations and a workshop on wool felting.
• Bio Farm Bioangus: Tempted us with their pure and natural meat delicacies.
• Ivena Dairy (village of Dabnitsa): At their table, we discovered the true taste of traditional cheeses and yellow cheeses (kashkaval).
• Mishevi Bee Farm & Mitrevi Bee Farm: These two farms sweetened our day with honey, bee products, original books, and beautiful gift boxes.
• Gelateria Caldo: Brought cool delight with their artisanal gelato.
• Eva Food Art: Took care of our hungry guests with delicious and aromatic outdoor grilling.

A special highlight of the festive day was the exhibition by the talented artist Gergana. Her paintings added an extra dose of aesthetics and inspiration, transforming the winery into a true art space.

For those eager to learn the secrets of our craft, we organized wine tours every hour. During these “behind-the-scenes” walks, we showed our guests the journey of the grape—from the gravity-fed cellar to the cool sand tunnels where our wine matures in silence.

At 12:00 PM, the celebration came alive with the rhythm of folklore. The Folk Song and Dance Ensemble from Sandanski, featuring both young and adult participants, brought incredible color and joy with their traditional costumes and dances.

One of the most heartwarming sights was Baba Nikolina from Sandanski. She revealed the secrets of traditional phyllo dough rolling for banitsa, while several pairs of small hands took their first steps in this ancient craft under her watchful eye.

Новият графит над винарната създаден по време на Лазаровден 2026

Creativity and Traditions

• Lazarus Wreaths: Dozens of guests wove their own wreaths from willow twigs and spring flowers—a symbol of health and beauty.
• Graffiti Workshop with 0511.bg: Our friends from 0511.bg Graffiti Studio transformed the wall above the winery. Thanks to your enthusiasm, it is now even more colorful and vibrant—a true monument to our collective creativity.
• Games and Challenges: While children drew with chalk on the pavement, the more adventurous tried their hand at archery by the sand hill. Our themed “Fair Tent” on the meadow challenged our guests’ senses, and those with the sharpest intuition and sense of smell walked away with prizes.
• Special thanks to Sun Valley Experience, who joined in with additional games and surprises, making the day even more exciting!

Of course, the heart of the celebration was the wine of Villa Melnik. Guests tasted our new vintages and enjoyed the spring sun on the meadows with a glass in hand. It was a time for sharing, conversation, and slow pleasure overlooking the vineyards.

We thank our partners, the dancers, our colleagues, and most of all you—our guests. Your energy made Lazarovden an unforgettable celebration of youth and wine.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event at Villa Melnik!
But why wait until then? Our cellar is open for tours and tastings every day. Come and experience the magic of Melnik anytime!