Wine & Love

Where Bacchus is, Venus also dwells - wine and love - two holidays in one day: February 14, St. Valentine and St. Tripun, one a celebration of love, the other of wine. Taste the drink of Gods and spend one unforgettable day on this trip

14.02.2010 Sunday - Vine pruning and Wine tasting

Be a part of the centuries-long vine pruning tradition and visit the Tikvesh region, where geographical position, fertile soil and climatic conditions are extremely favorable for grape cultivation and formation of intense flavors in specific grape varieties. Learn more about the history of viticulture, autochthon varieties of grape, and the process of vine making in the oldest and richest Wine region of Macedonia.

The holy marthur Tripun, the patron-saint of the vines and the inn-keepers, is believed to be the protector of vineyards and gardens and people have been celebrating his name day by performing various rituals.  Water that was blessed during mass is taken to the vineyard and sprinkled over the wines to ensure abundant yield. The rituals of blessing and pruning the vines are performed next and thus the new wine season is officially opened!  [Macedonian winery tradition-more...].

08:00 Departure from Skopje (Drvodekor)
We will travel along the valley of the river Vardar, one of the busiest ancient roads that connected the ancient towns of Skupi, Vila Zora, Stobi, Gorthinia and Pela.

- Coffee and breakfast for the road

09:30 Museum of Wine, Negotino
The first Museum of wine in Republic of Macedonia it’s the home of hundreds of artifacts connected with the long tradition of producing and consuming wine in the Tikvesh region. Most of the museum artifacts are found on archaeological sites around municipality of Negotino.

11:00 Visit of Negotino manifestation
Following the vine pruning and manifestation at town main square. On this day, the vines are pruned and then follows a great ceremony with lots of food and drink which celebrates the start of the new season at the vineyards.

13:30 Wine tasting at Grkov winery
Located in village of Krnjevo, near Kavadarci, vinery Grkov is the first in Macedonia to produce organic wine from its own vine plantations. On this magnificent location, where the sun kisses the freshness of the nearby mountains you’ll have the opportunity to taste the excellent: Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, to try the local dishes and to visit the goat farm.

Tour of the winery with an expert (oenologist).

Wine tasting session and snack

Return to Skopje.

PRICE: 35 € per person
The price includes transport/travel, all sightseeing, wine tasting, all meals and full escort by a professional tourist guide.

DATES: 02/14/2010

Tour application deadline: 02/11/2010

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