Chateau Copsa is a family winery and boutique hotel complex in the heart of the Rose Valley, in the village of Moskovets near Karlovo. The winery was founded in 1998 by the Minkov family, and its name comes from Copsa - the Thracian name of one of the towns that preceded Karlovo. The complex is surrounded by 50 hectares of its own vineyards, with views of the Balkan mountains and endless rows of vines.
The castle and the art hotel
The Chateau Copsa castle was built in 2008 in the style of a medieval stone castle with round towers, designed by Zheko Tilev. Its stone foundations house the wine cellar, and above it are 5 rooms and 1 apartment with medieval charm - stone walls, solid wood furniture, crystal chandeliers and original works of art. The La Cave restaurant and the panoramic lounge are also here.
The Maison Copsa art hotel opened in 2017 a few steps from the castle. It has 21 rooms and 5 apartments with modern interiors decorated with works by Bulgarian artists, the Zelanos restaurant and lobby, and a relax zone. The complex reception is in Maison Copsa.
Restaurants and lounges
La Cave Restaurant - international cuisine with seasonal produce from the region; 60 seats inside and 30 on a terrace with views of the sunset and the mountains; daily 18:00-23:00.
Zelanos Restaurant and Lobby - traditional and seasonal cuisine; 90 seats inside and 30 on a garden terrace overlooking the castle; daily 08:30-17:30.
Panoramic Lounge - a space for special occasions and small events, with views of the mountains and vineyards; up to 25 guests inside and 20 on the terraces.
Relax zone and pool
The relax zone at Maison Copsa has a sauna (daily 09:00-20:00), a lounge area with sun beds and rooms for massages and therapies. Treatments use the properties of Bulgarian rose and grape seeds - rose therapy, wine therapy, facial treatments and massages (Balinese, hot stone and more). The seasonal outdoor pool is open from June to September at weekends, for hotel guests only.
The winery
Chateau Copsa is one of the few family wineries that handle the whole process from grape to bottle. The wine is made in their own facility with a laboratory in Klisura, and the best selections age in French, American and Bulgarian oak barrels in the cellar beneath the castle. Their wines include Karlovo Misket, the organic NAKED wine, the Zeyla series and the Stradivarius and Cuvée blends.
Families and activities
A playground and play tent, walks among the vineyards, horse riding, yoga, a fire pit and barbecue area. Pets are allowed in some rooms. Wi-Fi, parking and the electric vehicle charging station are free for guests of the complex.
Tastings
All tastings are for a minimum of two people and require advance booking. Wine tastings take place between 11:00 and 16:00. Prices are per person.
Zeyla tasting - €31: five wines from the Zeyla series - Misket, Chardonnay, Rosé, Merlot and Cabernet, with a platter of traditional Bulgarian cheeses, kashkaval and cured meats made to a Chateau Copsa recipe.
Red tasting - €36: the organic NAKED wine (Cabernet Sauvignon), Alegria Merlot, Alegria Cabernet Sauvignon and Stradivarius Rouge, with a platter of cheeses and cured meats.
"The Magic of Blends" - €37: Stradivarius Blanc, Chateau Copsa Cuvée Blanc, Angelica Rosé, Stradivarius Rouge and Chateau Copsa Cuvée Rouge, with a platter of cheeses and cured meats.
Four-course gourmet tasting - €49: Arlequino Sauvignon Blanc with pink tomato and grilled goat cheese, Angelica Rosé with artichoke, quail egg and prosciutto, Chateau Copsa Cuvée Rouge with foie gras and red onion confit, Stradivarius Rouge with pork medallion and a pepper bouquet.
Five-course gourmet tasting - €67: Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard with orange and avocado ceviche, Chateau Copsa Cuvée Blanc with Burgundy snails, Stradivarius Blanc with trout in flaked almonds, Alegria Cabernet Sauvignon with duck magret and blueberry jam, Chateau Copsa Cuvée Rouge with pork tenderloin and herb potatoes.
Six-course gourmet tasting - €82: AXL Rose Valley Karlovo Misket with green salad, avocado and prawns, Chardonnay Single Vineyard with Saint-Jacques scallops, Angelica Rosé with camembert in flaked almonds, 5VE with lamb cutlet, 8TH with veal medallion with porcini mushrooms, and the grape elixir Rosalza with a chocolate truffle.
"She and He" tasting - €49: four wines and four rakias side by side - Stradivarius Blanc and muscat rakia with smoked salmon salad, Arlequino Sauvignon Blanc and apple rakia with baked goat cheese with honey and thyme, Angelica Rosé and "Rose Valley" grape rakia with foie gras in blueberry sauce, Stradivarius Rouge and aged Rosalza rakia with a chocolate truffle.
Five-course rakia tasting - €26: Nashe Loze with homemade lyutenitsa and warm country bread, muscat rakia with patatnik, "Rose Valley" grape rakia with roasted pepper and sheep's cheese, Karlovo anise rakia with veal pastarma and Melrosa apple rakia with homemade walnut cookies.
Five-course "Authentic Bulgaria" tasting - €62: Chateau Copsa AXL Karlovo Misket with homemade banitsa, Dimyat with Shopska-style cheese, Gamza with roasted pepper and tomato sauce, Chateau Copsa Mavrud with traditional kavarma and Rosalza grape rakia with homemade rose Turkish delight.
