🇬🇧 Wine & Gourmet Festival in Plovdiv’s Old Town, Bulgaria 🇧🇬

2. What Is the Wine & Gourmet Festival

The Wine & Gourmet Festival is Plovdiv’s annual celebration of wine and gastronomy - an event that transforms the Old Town into a vibrant stage of flavors, aromas, and culture every spring. For three days, set against the backdrop of beautifully preserved Revival-era houses, some of Bulgaria’s finest wineries and food producers come together in one of the most picturesque locations in the country. This is not a place where wine is discussed. This is where it’s lived. Over the course of three days: 🍷 Dozens of wineries present their wines; 🧀 Gourmet partners offer carefully selected foods; 🏛️ Historic houses open their doors to visitors. The festival is open to everyone - the curious beginner, the passionate collector, and anyone who simply enjoys a well-crafted glass of wine in great company and a romantic setting.

📅 May 8–10, 2026 📍 Plovdiv Old Town 🕔 Friday: 14:00–19:00 | Saturday: 11:00–19:00 | Sunday: 11:00–18:00 🎟️ Entry with tasting tokens

4.How Your Experience Unfolds

No worries if it’s your first time - here’s what a typical day at the festival looks like: 👉 You arrive in Plovdiv’s Old Town. If you’ve purchased your tasting package in advance, head to the Grabo point. If not, you can buy tasting tokens at one of the festival points on site. 👉 You pick up your branded tasting glass, tokens, and festival guide - your best companions for the day. 👉 You wander freely through the festival locations - follow the recommended route in the guide and map, or create your own based on your taste. 👉 You taste hundreds of wines and gourmet products, exchanging a token at each winery that catches your attention. 1 token = 1 wine tasting 👉 Talk to the winemakers - about the vineyards, the vintage, and the story behind the wine. That’s exactly why they’re here. 👉 Buy your favorite wine. Found something you love? Purchase it directly from the exhibitor at a special price. Drop it off at the courier point and send it home with Econt - then continue your tasting journey. 👉 Enjoy the program - live music, contests, and exclusive Wine & Gourmet dinners for true enthusiasts. 👉 Vote for your favorite wine and gourmet taste… 👉 And take part in the prize raffle. 👉 Enjoy the moment with friends - and repeat… until you discover your favorite wine and flavor. 👉 Share your experience with us - your feedback helps us make the festival even better every year.

6. Got a Grabo Voucher?

Grabo vouchers are verified at a designated office. You’ll find it at 1 Dr. Stoyan Chomakov Street, next to the Tourist Information Center (in the Old Town). It’s easy to spot - just look for the “Grabo” sign. How it works: • Open your voucher on your phone or bring a printed copy; • Find the office; • Our team will verify your voucher and give you your tasting set; • That’s it - you’re ready to start tasting. 📍 The office opens 30 minutes before the official start each day. If you have any questions, visit an info point or call: +359 XXX XXX XXX

8. Festival Map

The Wine & Gourmet Festival takes place across multiple locations in Plovdiv’s Old Town - historic houses, galleries, and cultural spaces scattered along its charming streets. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, use the festival map. What you’ll find on it: 📍 All exhibitor locations - wineries, gourmet partners, and event stages; 🪙 Token and tasting glass points; 📦 Econt courier point; 🔖 Grabo center; 🚻 Restrooms and exits; ❓ Festival info points.

The map is available in the printed festival guide and in the event’s digital map.

You’ve got the map in your hands - take the first step.

10. Official locations

1 – Encho Pironkov Gallery 2 – Philippopolis Nishanian House 3 – Trakart Residence 4 – Birdas House 5 – Hippocrates Museum Pharmacy 6 – Georgi Bozhilov – The Elephant Exhibition 7 – Malakite Konyushni Bar 8 – Zlatyu Boyadzhiev Gallery 9 – The Stables Restaurant 10 – Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv 11 – Balabanov House 12 – Hindliyan House 13 – Georgiadi House 14 – Nedkovich House 15 – Ivan Chernozemski House 16 – Georgi Danchov – Zografina House 17 – Veren Stambolyan House *All festival locations will be marked with flags. You will also find the names of all participants displayed on them.

12. Festival Program

Each day of the festival has its own rhythm. Friday is for connoisseurs — quieter, more intimate, with a focus on special tastings. Saturday is for everyone — lively, with music, contests, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Sunday is for the final sips and a slow farewell. May 8, 2026 (Friday) 13:30 – “Dionysian Procession” accompanied by the Trakia Ensemble and the god Dionysus 📍 Stefan Stambolov Square, in front of the Municipality of Plovdiv; 14:00 – Official opening with the participation of the Trakia Ensemble and official guests 📍 Entrance of the Old Town (2–4 Saborna St.); in case of bad weather – at the Roman Stadium; 17:00 – DJ Hilla 📍 Location 7 – Malakite Konyushni Bar; 17:00 – Games & Wine for Singles (with prior registration) 📍 Ivan Chernozemski House; 18:00 – “Epoptia” – the starry sky in text and images with Antony Totev and Yovcho Yovchev 📍 Elysium; May 9, 2026 (Saturday) 16:00 – DJ Hilla 📍 Location 7 – Malakite Konyushni Bar; 18:30 – Experience Spain for a Night with Lenika Language Center – Spanish language, guitar, and wine 📍 Elysium; May 10, 2026 (Sunday) 12:00 – DJ Hilla 📍 Location 7 – Malakite Konyushni Bar; 17:00 – Paint, Discover, Feel – an art evening dedicated to wine and love 📍 Elysium;

14. 13. Vote in the “People’s Favorite Wine & Taste” Survey

Your opinion matters. During the festival, you can vote for two special awards — Favorite Wine of the Public and Favorite Gourmet Product of the Public. The winners are determined entirely by the visitors. How to vote: Scan the QR code and vote online — you can find it in the guidebook, at every stand, at the information points, and on our social media channels. When results are announced: 📊 Results are tracked in real time; 🏆 At the end of the festival, we will announce the audience’s favorite wines and gourmet products on our social media. Additional bonuses: Winemakers who collect the highest number of tokens will receive special awards and recognitions. Support them by placing tokens for each tasting.

You choose the Public’s Favorite Wine. Be honest and trust your taste!

Completing the survey will take you 5 minutes and may win you an armchair or a pouf from TED.

DRAW: May 10, 4:00 PM On-site at the WINE LOUNGE – Relax & Wine Zone at Malakite Konyushni Bar

16. VISIT OUR FESTIVAL SHOP

Here you will find souvenirs and accessories inspired by wine and Bulgarian traditions:

• Women’s scarves – small and large, in various designs;
• Tote bag for two wine bottles with print;
• Gift bag for one wine bottle (recycled from a festival flag);
• Small everyday bag (recycled from a festival flag);
• Branded magnet and corkscrew;
• Handcrafted ceramic magnet with the inscription in vino veritas;
• Magnet with Bulgarian embroidery;
• Keychain with decorative figurine charms;
• Keychain with Bulgarian embroidery;
• Brooch with wine-inspired motifs – 3 types;
• Greeting cards with Bulgarian embroidery;
• Glass markers – metal, with wine-themed elements;
• Wall panel – large handcrafted ceramic tile with the inscription in vino veritas and linen matting.

Stand address: 14A Saborna St.

11. Wine & Gourmet Dinners

Beyond the official tasting hours of the Wine & Gourmet Festival, we’ve prepared something special for you - Wine & Gourmet Dinners. In some of the best restaurants in Plovdiv, you’ll enjoy carefully curated menus, perfectly paired with wines from our exhibitors. This is not just dinner. It’s a meeting between the chef, the winemaker… and you. Restaurants participating in the “Wine & Gourmet Dinners”:

• Enoteca “Cork & Fork”
• Hotel-Restaurant “Odeon”
• Restaurant “TheatRa”
• Restaurant “Raya”
• Restaurant “Salt & Pepper”

Tip!!! Places are limited - book in advance.

16. Where to Eat

Recommended by the Organizers:

🍽️ Odeon Restaurant 🍽️ Atlas Restaurant 🍽️ Raya Restaurant 🍽️ Piacere Restaurant 🍽️ TeatRa Restaurant 🍺 ROCK'n'BAR Bezistena ☕ Amarone Bistro

18. Useful Tips for Visitors

We’ve gathered the most common questions and the most useful tips from our regular visitors. For tastings: ✔ Don’t taste wine on an empty stomach; ✔ Take your time — this is not a marathon; ✔ Don’t hesitate to spit the wine if needed; ✔ Ask: “What’s your favorite wine from this year’s vintage?” For tokens: ✔ Buy online — you get more tokens and skip the lines; ✔ Get extra tokens — there are 300+ wines to taste; ✔ Don’t forget to leave a token for each tasting. What to bring: ✔ Comfortable shoes; ✔ A light bag or backpack; ✔ A card + some cash; ✔ A charger or power bank — you’ll be taking photos… and sharing. Digital tips: ✔ Download the map offline; ✔ Follow us on Instagram during the festival; ✔ Use the QR codes. Practical: ✔ Don’t drive after the festival; ✔ Our team is easy to spot — if you need help, we’re there for you.