Stay Under the Starry Sky in 40-Year-Old Barrels

Proof that tourism in Macedonia is gaining a new dimension and slowly but surely finding the right direction for promoting the beauty of our country is the new attraction at the Tikvesh Winery. Recently, the winery's old forty-year-old barrels were put into use, but instead of storing wine, they are now intended for guest accommodation.

The winery has implemented an idea to develop alternative tourism at unique wine micro-locations in the Tikvesh region. The goal of the attraction is to provide guests with accommodation under the starry sky, while also allowing them to experience the vineyard life and the region in its entirety.

We spoke with Elena Mladenovska Jelenković, who is part of the Tikvesh Winery team. She shared with us the story of the idea's inception and its realization.

Kajak.mk: Could you tell us where Tikvesh got the idea to develop alternative tourism at unique wine micro-locations in the Tikvesh region? How did it all start? Whose idea was it, and why did you decide to attract tourists who love alternative tourism in this way?

Elena: Enjoying untouched nature, authentic accommodation, and briefly experiencing rural life – these are some of the demands of modern tourists. This type of traveler is constantly in search of unique and unforgettable experiences, wanting to try local food and drinks, stay on a farm, get to know the rural population closely, and immerse themselves in local culture. As "Tikvesh Wine Tourism," we have been working for some time now to create a quality tourist offer, and at the moment, we are focusing on putting Macedonia on the map for rural, eco, and agrotourism.

Guided by these global trends, we were inspired to create a connection between the natural beauty surrounding the vineyards of Lepovo and Barovo, the resources and experience from our wine industry, and to transform them into a unique offering for both domestic and foreign tourists. The most important thing for us was not to usurp the space we want to promote but, on the contrary, to fully blend into the rural environment.

In the process of conceptualizing and implementing the project in Barovo, we formed a team of technical experts who found the best solutions for adapting the wine barrels. We decided to use barrels that had been used for over 40 years to age Macedonian wine, giving them a new life and purpose by converting them into unique accommodation units. Another important aspect was the installation of solar panels, to ensure that the camp would have electricity from renewable sources. The project also included all the other necessary elements to ensure a comfortable stay in the camp, making every visitor feel one with the surrounding nature.

The adaptation of the accommodation apartments in Lepovo was a simpler task because the "Domen Lepovo" winery is located there. One floor of the building was adjusted for guest stays, where we equipped two apartments and a new tasting room. Accommodation here offers another unique experience for those who want to enjoy privacy. Visitors will be able to indulge in peace and quiet while enjoying the expansive view of the vineyards surrounding the area. What makes "Domen Lepovo" special is that it will soon become an organic winery, and the accommodation, food, and services will also follow this commitment.

The entire project was developed by a broader team over the past three years and is supported by the subproject "Development of Enogastronomic Tourism - Experience Northern Macedonia" within the Local and Regional Competitiveness Project (PLRC), funded by the European Union and administered through the World Bank. The project is implemented by the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Coordination with Economic Sectors, and Investments.

Kajak.mk: What kind of experience can tourists expect if they decide to stay in these wooden barrels? How is everything carried out? What is the style of the stay? Are there organized wine tours included where guests can get to know Tikvesh Winery?

Elena: Visitors who stay in the barrels in Barovo will sleep under the starry sky and wake up in the morning to fall in love with the view of the sun-kissed vineyards. The possibilities are truly endless, and the experience is personalized for each group of visitors according to their requests and needs.

During their stay, guests can choose to participate in a wine tour, taste wine paired with homemade cheese and jam, enjoy a picnic among the vineyards, visit nearby cellars, take a private workshop on traditional pottery or wine painting (Greysaille technique), or even have a cooking lesson with a renowned professional chef. Additionally, if they visit the vineyards during the harvest season, they can join the winemakers and help pick the grapes. The stay and tours are fully designed based on the visitors' preferences, and these are just some of the possibilities we offer.

Aside from organized activities for groups, there is also the option to explore the area on foot or by bicycle. Only in this way can the benefits of untouched nature be truly experienced up close.

Kajak.mk: We know there are hiking and biking trails. Could you tell us more about them?

Elena: The biking trails in Barovo are well-traced and marked with appropriate info boards, poles, and signs. Cyclists can also use the ridewithgps.com app during their cycling tour.

There are three main off-road trails with varying characteristics and difficulty levels. The first is moderately easy, 11 kilometers long, starting and ending in the Barovo vineyards, passing through the vineyards and the village of Barovo.

The second is of medium difficulty, 13 kilometers long. The trail passes near the village of Stragovo, through mountainous terrain, and the Barovo vineyards.

For the most experienced cyclists, there's a third trail, which is medium-difficult, and 42 kilometers long. It passes through the villages of Krnjevo, Dolna Bosava, and Konopishte. The trail leads to the Vitachevo plateau, continues past Stragovo village, and ends at the Barovo vineyards. Among the notable cultural and historical landmarks are the St. George Monastery in Krnjevo and the St. Athanasius Monastery in the Konopishte municipality.

Kajak.mk: What is the interest like for your new attraction? What are the tourists saying?

Elena: We are pleased that right after we started, there has already been a great interest in staying in the barrels at Barovo, especially considering that it is an unusual and secluded location. It has proven to be an ideal space for team-building activities for companies, as well as for private gatherings for smaller groups. We are particularly happy that we have sparked interest among foreign tourists and expatriates staying in Macedonia. For example, how often do you hear about friends who are vacationing at Tikveš Lake, bringing all their camping gear on their bicycles? Although it’s not a common practice for local tourists, such locations and types of vacations are an attractive offer and a unique experience for foreigners. We hope that local tourists will become just as curious and slowly begin to change their travel habits in favor of domestic rural tourism.

For those wine tourists who prefer to get acquainted with the winery in Kavadarci and taste wine during their visit, we are also offering new attractions. At the entrance of the winery, we have now opened a multifunctional Wine Boutique. Our goal was to create a space with a pleasant atmosphere where visitors will feel that wine tasting is not just an ordinary activity, but a kind of ritual.

In addition to the usual wine sales, visitors will be able to taste products from the "Tikveš" and "Tikveš Châteaux & Domaines" range. Part of the boutique serves as an exhibition corner where archival wines from the long wine history of Winery "Tikveš" are displayed, as well as soil and vine exhibits from the three exclusive wine micro-locations: Barovo, Lepovo, and Bela Voda.

The boutique also offers a variety of souvenirs crafted by skilled Macedonian artisans, and by purchasing these, visitors will contribute to the development of local craftsmanship. Another function of the Wine Boutique is the tourist information center, where tourists, wine lovers, and adventurers can receive useful information about the offerings of wine tourism destinations in the region – such as staying in the barrels of Barovo.