Located in Bulgaria’s Struma Valley, Aya Estate is recognised for its exceptional hospitality experiences and for celebrating the diversity and character of Bulgarian viticulture
October 19, 2026 — Aya Estate, located in Bulgaria’s Struma Valley, is today named the recipient of the One to Watch Award 2026, sponsored by Grupo Liderazgo, as part of The 50 Best Vineyards. Introduced for the first time to The 50 Best Vineyards this year, the award recognises an emerging vineyard with an exceptional wine tourism offering that is making a significant impact within the industry and has the potential to feature in future editions of The 50 Best Vineyards ranking. It is the only pre-announced award to be revealed ahead of the awards ceremony taking place in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday 18 November 2026.
Set in the heart of Bulgaria’s Struma Valley, Aya Estate has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting wine tourism destinations. Combining wine, gastronomy, wellness and immersive hospitality within a single estate, Aya offers visitors an opportunity to discover Bulgaria through its wines, cuisine, culture and natural beauty. The estate brings together contemporary design, a strong connection to nature and a holistic approach to hospitality, creating a destination that feels distinctly Bulgarian and internationally relevant.
Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for The 50 Best Vineyards, says: “Aya Estate is a brilliant example of the innovation and ambition shaping the future of wine tourism. Bringing together exceptional wine, hospitality, food and wellness experiences, Aya has created a destination that offers visitors a distinctive sense of place while showcasing the quality and diversity of Bulgarian wine. We are delighted to recognise the team behind Aya Estate with the One to Watch Award, sponsored by Grupo Liderazgo, and look forward to following its journey in the years ahead.”
While located in the Struma Valley, Aya’s wine portfolio showcases the diversity and character of Bulgarian viticulture through vineyards in a number of the country’s most renowned wine regions including the Danube Plain, Thracian Lowlands and Melnik region, with the endemic Melnik grape being central to Aya’s wine identity. By drawing on the distinctive terroirs of these regions, the estate offers guests an insight into the breadth and diversity of modern Bulgarian winemaking, while highlighting a wine culture that is increasingly attracting international attention.
At the heart of the estate is Ayart, a 3,000-square-metre art hall hosting works by contemporary Bulgarian and international artists. The space creates a unique meeting point between wine, art and culture, adding a dynamic cultural dimension to the visitor experience and positioning the estate as a destination for creative discovery as well as wine tourism.
The curated hospitality experience offers a range of accommodation options that are integrated into the natural environment. Guests can choose from a boutique hotel, private villas, glamping experiences or private houses, all providing a luxurious base from which to explore the estate and region.
Aya Estate has also earned recognition for its culinary offering. The destination is home to multiple dining concepts, including aEstivum and Bistro 55, with menus shaped by seasonal ingredients and local flavours. Ingredients sourced from the estate’s eco-farm feature across the restaurants, creating a seamless link between wine, gastronomy and the surrounding landscape. SALON Kitchen & Stories will also be launching as a new culinary space at the Aya Estate in 2026.
The estate’s eco-farm plays a central role in its sustainability ethos. Beyond supplying fresh produce for the destination’s restaurants, it reflects Aya’s commitment to regenerative agriculture and responsible tourism. Guests can explore the farm and gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between food, wine and the landscape that shapes them. The estate also offers curated wine tastings, guided vineyard tours and outdoor activities that celebrate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region. The estate is home to an equestrian facility with horseback experiences available, offering visitors a unique way to explore the surrounding landscape.
Wellness is another cornerstone of the Aya experience. The estate’s spa offers a range of treatments and restorative experiences, including warm mineral water pools designed to encourage relaxation and reconnection with nature. Set against a backdrop of vineyards and rolling countryside, the wellness facilities complement the slower pace of life that defines the destination.
Dilyana Vasileva, Co-Founder of Aya Estate, says:“We are deeply honoured to be the first recipient of The 50 Best Vineyards’ One to Watch Award. This recognition is a wonderful milestone for our team and reflects the vision that has shaped Aya Estate from the beginning – showcasing Bulgaria as a distinctive wine and travel destination. We believe that bringing together wine, nature, gastronomy, culture and hospitality can offer visitors meaningful experiences that provide a deeper connection to our country and its character. We are proud that our team’s work has been recognised on an international stage and hope this award will inspire more people to discover Bulgaria and its wines.”
Max Raide, President of Grupo Liderazgo, says: “We are delighted to present the One to Watch Award to Aya Estate as part of the 2026 edition of The 50 Best Vineyards taking place in Santiago, Chile. The team’s ambition, creativity and commitment to showcasing the character of its region make it a worthy recipient of this award, offering guests a memorable experience beyond the glass. We look forward to seeing Aya Estate continue to grow its reputation internationally and congratulate the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”
The annual ranking of The 50 Best Vineyards celebrates the world’s leading vineyard experiences and recognises destinations that continue to set new benchmarks in wine tourism, hospitality and visitor experience. Additional announcements relating to The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 will be revealed in the lead-up to the awards ceremony in Santiago, Chile, where The 50 Best Vineyards 1-50 list will be unveiled on Wednesday 18 November 2026.
About The 50 Best Vineyards
The 50 Best Vineyards reflects the best winery and vineyard experiences around the globe, and provides an annual snapshot of the opinions and experiences of more than 700 travel and wine tourism experts. Formerly known as The World’s 50 Best Vineyards, The 50 Best Vineyards will continue to develop into a world-class live event programme, culminating in a much-anticipated awards ceremony, attended by the most influential industry tastemakers, vineyard owners and media from around the world. The results and the awards are organised and published by William Reed.
How the voting works
The 50 Best Vineyards list is compiled from the votes of the global Academy of voters. The world is split into 20 geographical regions, each headed up by an acknowledged expert as its Academy Chair. Each region is responsible for recruiting wine and travel experts as voters. Each member of the Voting Academy must vote for 7 vineyards. There is no pre-determined checklist of criteria or predefined list to choose from – each vote is a nomination for a vineyard experience open to the public that they deem to be truly among the best in the world.
About Grupo Liderazgo:
Grupo Liderazgo is a media company and entertainment business founded by the Raide brothers – Max, Juan Pablo and Domingo Raide – with a mission to elevate gastronomy, culture, and wine in Santiago, Chile. With 20+ years of experience in the industry, Grupo Liderazgo has grown beyond the capital and expanded across Regions of Chile, establishing itself as a leader in the field through innovative concepts built entirely around the customer experience.
