By Angel Matsanov on Tuesday, 03 January 2023
Category: Tours from Sofia

SOFIA - LYUTI BROD WINE ADVENTURE - FULL-DAY TOUR BY CAR AND A DRIVER

Wine picnic by the Iskar river in the nature park Vrachanski Balkan


Details

Wine afventure by the river

Northwest Bulgaria may be the poorest region in the European Union, but it is one of the richest in natural phenomena, delicious farm food, and varietal wines. We offer you a one-day wine adventure in the "Vrachanski Balkan" nature park, in which you can enjoy a wine picnic on the river bank, and a walk to the local historical and natural attractions.

The vineyard of our hosts started from a grass-covered meadow. And not just any meadow, but the Rechka field near Vratsa, where the Bulgarian national hero Hristo Botev and his legendary band of freedom fighters enjoyed their last feast before passing on to eternal glory.

The wine they drank came from the vineyard located in the very same spot where we will take you.

The terroir of Northwest Bulgaria

In Northwestern Bulgaria, the production of the best wine is an age-old tradition, which today professionals are successfully restoring and offering tourists one of the best destinations for wine tourism. The soils, the favorable climate, and the craftsmanship of the winemakers in the Northwest are some of the unique prerequisites for growing truly fine grapes and producing quality wine for connoisseurs.

We will taste wine from the famous local red variety Gamza, a late-ripening variety with a thin skin. The resulting wines are characterized by a not-very-powerful structure, strong freshness, and aromas of sour cherries, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries prevail in the nose.

We will taste Gamza and a few other wines typical of the Northwest, combined with dairy and meat delicacies produced in local farms, and the typical Bulgarian pastry pie called "banitsa".

The Ritlite phenomenon and the late antique fortified town of Koriten Grad

We will walk to the late antique and medieval fortified town of Koriten Grad, which occupied an area of about 4 hectares. There was a prehistoric, ancient and medieval settlement on this site. Remains of four churches from different periods have been found in the region - a temple basilica from the 5th century, a partially preserved church from the 10th-11th centuries, and two more from the late Middle Ages.

We will also see the natural phenomenon of Ritlite in the Iskar Gorge. They are limestone rock formations formed over 120 million years ago when the region was a sea floor. Ritlite are narrow, high, and parallel walls, resembling the wheels of a cart.

The tops of the rocks have been shaped like terrifying cogs under the influence of time and atmospheric conditions. Their height reaches up to 80 meters in places, their thickness varies from 3 to 7 meters, and their length is between 200 and 400 meters.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  Free cancellation
  Reserve now & Pay later
  Pickup included
  Distance: approx. 165 km in one direction
  Trip duration: 6-8 hours

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

  Insurance
  Drinkable water
  Air-conditioned vehicle
  Fuel and parking fees
  Tips

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