Struma Valley has long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Its four sub-regions include Harsovo, Sandanski and Melnik. The Struma and Mesta river systems run through the landscape, with cinnamon-brown soils and soils deposited by flowing water. Red wines are often full-bodied and spicy. Harsovo has south-facing hills, Sandanski is notably warm, and Melnik has sandy hills and underground wine cellars. Shiroka Melnishka, also called Broad Leaved Vine of Melnik, is a local red grape. Melnik 55, or Early Melnik Vine, can give deeper colour and more concentrated flavour.
4 named areas
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of Struma Valley.
- 01Dolinata na Struma3 producersDolinata na Struma, or Struma Valley, is Bulgaria's Southwest viticultural region and a recognised quality-wine region.
- 02Harsovo1 producerWithin Struma Valley, Harsovo has mostly south-facing hillside vineyards associated with warmer, riper fruit. Winegrowing here reaches back at least to 3500 BC.
- 03Melnik1 producerMelnik's sandy, rocky slopes and underground cellars are part of its local wine tradition. Shiroka Melnishka is also known as Broad Leaved Vine of Melnik.
- 04SandanskiNo producers listed yetSandanski is one of Bulgaria's warmest wine valleys, known for ripe, full reds. The wider Sandanski-Petrich Valley includes alluvial valley bottoms.