On September 27, 2025, at the foot of seven mountains near the village of Harsovo, in the Melnik region, AYA Estate Vineyards was officially opened – the first winery in Bulgaria and the region created to unite, within one impressive space, world-class winemaking, an architectural landmark, and a cultural stage for contemporary art.
Wine, Architecture, and Terroir
Designed by the architectural studio WhATA, the building is embedded into a hillside, blending organically into the surrounding landscape. Despite its scale, AYA Estate Vineyards evokes lightness, elegance, harmony, and minimalism. The very name “Aya” symbolizes the symbiosis between art as beauty (from Japanese, it can be translated as “beautiful,” “colorful,” “picturesque”) and wine, which comes from the earth (in Ancient Greek, it conveys the meaning of “land,” “soil”).
Covering 14,000 sq.m, the estate offers versatile artistic spaces suitable for large-scale or more intimate events. The winery employs a gravity-flow production system, with an annual capacity of up to 250,000 bottles from its own vineyards. AYA cultivates 45 hectares of vineyards in the Melnik region, including over 50-year-old Cabernet Franc and Broad-Leaved Melnik vines, as well as 10 hectares in the Kavarna region near Cape Kaliakra. Both estates are certified organic.
The wines produced under the series AYA, Colorito, Ayano, and Disegno have, for years, won awards at prestigious international competitions such as the Decanter World Wine Awards, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Balkan International Wine Competition, among others.
The story began in 2014 with the purchase of land near Kavarna and continued in 2015 with the acquisition of the first old Broad-Leaved Melnik vineyards near the village of Harsovo. The investors are two families united by a shared dream – to create something meaningful that will endure, laying the foundations of a project that will contribute to the development of the entire Melnik region in the future. A boutique restaurant is set to open soon, and longer-term plans include the construction of a hotel. The complex also features its own organic gardens, while a unique equestrian center for sport horses is currently being built – a facility that promises to be one-of-a-kind in the region.
Nedelcho Spasov and Stanimir Vassilev, who, along with their families, are the driving force behind the AYA Estate Vineyards project, are also the founders and partners of the financial group MFG, whose portfolio includes leading fintech and insurtech brands operating in nine international markets.
AYA & AYART – A Fusion of Wine and Contemporary Art
AYA is more than a winery – it is a cultural destination where architecture and vineyards converge with contemporary art. The Art Director is Irena Gergova-Spasova, while the inaugural programs and exhibitions are curated by Vessela Nozharova and Veselina Sarieva.
Among the artists who have created large-scale works specifically for AYA are:
· Stoyan Dechev – “The Eye” (2024)
· Iv Toshain – “Dome” (2024), activated with a performance at the opening
· Eli Joteva – “Spectral Sea” (2022–2025)
· Nedko Solakov – “AYADoodles” (2025)
· Stefan Nikolaev – “Water Hedgehog” (2024)
· Stela Vasileva – “Linea Viva” (2025)
· Rudi Ninov – “Talismans and Totems” (2024)
· Marta Djourina – “Outer Light” (2022)
· Marianne Lang – “Creeping Nuances” (2022)
The collection will continue to expand through the platforms AYA Art Depot, AYA Art Commissions, and AYA Art Canvas, transforming the site into a vibrant hub for cultural exchange.
The Opening – A Journey for All the Senses
Guests at the opening experienced a special tour of the winery, with highlights including a Zen Garden (Yamazaki + Ivanova architects), a fermentation hall featuring a neon installation by Ivo Toshain, a tasting room adorned with drawings by Nedko Solakov, and a grand finale around Stoyan Dechev’s “The Eye” sculpture with 3D mapping by Poliforma, a dance performance by Somnivinus choreographed by Yanitsa Atanasova, and live marimba music by Vassilena Serafimova. The official part of the event was hosted by Konstantin Valkov. The program also featured live music and a party under the stars with Devora Krumova (harp), Pavel Terziyski (vocal performance), Piero Epifania and Electric Band, and Elena Sirakova with her live band.
A culinary highlight was the “Alchemy of the Grape” by Chef Alexander Taralezhkov, presented with a live cooking performance, as well as a breakfast for over 300 guests in the vineyards, reviving local recipes and produce under the skilled hands of Chef Maria Zhekova. The opening concluded with a powerful ritual performance by Anna Alexandrova, accompanied by the gadulka (traditional string instrument) of Hristina Beleva.
Cultural Mission
AYA Estate Vineyards aspires to put the Melnik region on the international map of wine and cultural tourism in a unique and highly compelling way, becoming a sought-after destination for connoisseurs of both wine and art. The AYA Estate Vineyards calendar is quickly filling up months in advance with world-class events.