Main Info
Wine cellar Manastira is located in Lesichovo village, near Pazardzhik in a very accessible area. A short wine drive from the Trakia highway and you are in a magical place surrounded by vineyards and astonishing views.
The name of the cellar is inspired by a spiritual community that arose during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom along the waters of the Topolnitsa River, 3 km from Lesichovo.
There was once a miraculous icon of the Holy Virgin in a monastery but the monastery was burned by the Turks and its existence is evidenced by the thick foundations in the ground that resisted the fire.
Wine cellar Manastira has 30 ha of vineyards and grows the following varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Mavrud, Merlot, Syrah, Ancelota, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Ottonel.
The weather conditions of this region provide good conditions for the production of rich, dense and memorable red wines from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Mavrud varieties. The right combination of climatic and soil characteristics favours the excellent quality of the vines and the unique character of the wines. There are white and red varieties of grapes in the region with the latter being dominant in quantity.
Middle East, Riverside and Ilaya are the wine cellars three brands. If you wish to get to know more about them from the source itself (their technologist) in the authentic atmopshere surounded by the vineyards make sure to book your visit in advance.
If you are already in the region take a look at some of our other recommendations on what to visit: HERE
Sights and attractions in the regions:
It is located in the Rila mountain along the course of the Stara (Kostenska) river, about 3 kilometres south of the village of Kostenets (above the Kostenets villa area). The waterfall is about 12 metres high. There are picnic facilities, restaurants and hot mineral springs near the waterfall. Skalovitets waterfall is also nearby, close to the Gurgulitsa hut.
Trayanovi vrata (also known as Gate of Trayan or Stenos Fortress) is a pass located in Sredna Gora, connecting the Ihtiman valley with the Thracian lowland. The Stenos fortress in Trayanovi vrata pass is located about 15 kilometres from Kostenets near the Trakia highway. The fortress is located on the old Roman road Via Militaris. It is assumed that the construction of the Stenos fortress began in the 2nd century, during the time of Emperor Trajan. On August 17, 986, the Bulgarians led by Tsar Samuil inflicted a crushing defeat on the Byzantine emperor Basil II in Trajan’s Gate pass, near the fortress.
One of the most visited places in Panagyurishte is the house-museum of Rayna Futekova – head teacher at the girls’ school, who was only 20 years old when she sewed the main flag in the April uprising in 1876. On April 22, 1876 – the day of its consecration, at the request of the citizens, she led the solemn procession, mounted on a chosen horse, girded with a sabre and a revolver. In the former craft workshop “Kerena”, on the first floor, a documentary-material exposition dedicated to the life and role of Rayna Knyaginya during the April Uprising is presented. The ethnographic exposition on the second floor gives an idea of the environment in which the distinguished Bulgarian woman was born and grew up.
