AYA Estate Vineyards, Melnik, Bulgaria
AYA Estate Vineyards, Melnik, Bulgaria
Founded with a vision to reconnect land, art, and heritage, AYA Estate Vineyards is a pioneering project in the Melnik region of southwestern Bulgaria—an area steeped in viticultural history and nestled near the borders of Greece and North Macedonia. Located in the Sandanski municipality, AYA is more than a winery; it is a symbiotic estate that unites winemaking, biodynamics, architecture, and artistic expression into a singular living philosophy.
At the core of AYA’s mission is the preservation and revival of Bulgaria’s indigenous grape varieties—living links to the country’s viticultural past. These include white varieties such as Dimyat, Keratsuda, and Sandanski Misket, and reds such as Pamid, Melnik, and Early Melnik. In particular, AYA is dedicated to restoring Melnik’s historic vineyards, long abandoned and now slowly coaxed back to life.
AYA cultivates four historic plots submitted to the Old Vine Conference: three planted with old Melnik vines and one with Cabernet Franc, the latter a rare but promising addition to the estate. The Melnik vines, planted in the late 1970s and 1980s and left untended for over two decades, are now experiencing a true renaissance. With deep roots in the limestone-rich soils of the Melnik hills, these vines produce wines that echo the rhythm of the land—elegant yet vibrant, precise yet soulful.
Among these, the Melnik Old Vines are particularly emblematic of AYA’s ethos. These south-facing vineyards are shaped by the region’s temperate climate, long growing season, and natural biodiversity. The resulting wines reflect a purity of character—marked by spice, minerality, and fine, persistent tannins. Distributed in the United States (via KFP in California and EWW in Boston) and in the UK (via Novel Wines), these wines carry the story of a region reborn.
The Cabernet Franc parcel, still available only in Bulgaria, provides a contrast—structured and aromatic, with the finesse typical of the variety but grounded in the unique terroir of Sandanski.
Guided by winemaker Kiril Miladinov, AYA Estate Vineyards farms its land biodynamically, cultivating with the cycles of nature and crafting wines with minimal intervention. The winery’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that “we are part of a larger organism,” where every decision—from pruning to pressing—is an act of balance and respect.
The estate itself is a work in progress and a living gallery: future expansions include an equestrian centre, amphitheatre, orchard, farm, restaurant, and hotel—all envisioned to celebrate rural life and create a space where art, ecology, and agriculture coexist.
AYA Estate Vineyards stands at the intersection of revival and innovation, where ancient vines and modern vision meet to shape the next chapter of Bulgarian winemaking—quietly, respectfully, and with enduring purpose.
