The cult of Dionis originates from Thracia. He has been the god of vegetation, vineyards, wine, and unrestrained merriment – since the ancient times up to now. He embodies the live-giving power of the nature. Sanctuaries were built in his honor, remains of which there have been on our land so far. Festivities, organized in his honor, are accompanied by satyrs and Bacchantes, decorated with wine-twigs and they were distinguished for unrestraint liveliness in the thick of the woods. The legend about Orpheus connects his death with frenzied Bacchantes. Later other gods of wine appeared as Asdules, Bakhus, Liber, Trifon Zarezan, but their worship reached so large scale that one Bulgarian khan made laws against drunkenness and eradicated the vineyards.

Many folksongs sing about red wine. The past glory of the smallest town in Bulgaria – Melnik is connected exactly with the exclusive qualities of Melnic’s wine, which was so thick that it could be carried in a piece of cloth. Caravans of wineskins tailed as far as Spain.