Before wine touches the lips, it first meets the eyes. What shape does chardonnay have? How “heavy” is a red wine? What texture does a rosé possess? In the fourth chapter of the Materia Mensa project, terroir, flavour, clay, grapes, art, craftsmanship and science come together at one table, inviting you to explore with us the connection between the senses and the way they shape our perception of wine.

The fourth edition of Materia Mensa brings together wine, art, design, and science in an extraordinary experience that challenges everything we think we know about taste.

Guests will taste five wines, including four from the first vintage produced at the winery: AYANO Viognier, Marsanne & Roussanne, Limited Estate Collection Chardonnay Zen, AYANO Rosé, Limited Estate Collection Grenache Bouquet, as well as the special AYA Melnik – Old Vintage Collection.

The highlight of the experience are the last four, each served in bespoke ceramic vessels created by Pottery & Poetry specifically for each wine. Guests will discover how shape, texture, and touch can transform the perception of the very same wine. 

On 12 September, you can see the premiere of the film „Soil to Soul“, an exhibition unveiling the porcelain vessels to the public for the very first time, a live concert, and an author’s dinner with wine pairing by Amor y Sal. It is an experience for all the senses, where crossmodal science meets ancient wine-drinking rituals, brought to life through the aromas and authentic flavours of the Melnik region.

The film „Soil to Soul“, part of the Materia Mensa series, explores how the language of ceramics draws upon the science of crossmodal perception to create a porcelain vessel designed for a specific wine profile. The dinner and wine pairing that follows will invite every guest to experience first-hand how the vessel itself can shape expectations of taste. The menu and wine pairing have been created by the culinary duo Amor y Sal (Raya Silova and Nikolay Madjarov-Faicheto), presenting their interpretation of local recipes prepared with authentic ingredients from the Struma Valley and the Melnik region.

Prices

Author’s Dinner with Wine Pairing
EUR 250 per person

For special accommodation offers, please contact events@aya-estate.com 

12 September, 7:00 PM, AYA Estate, Struma Valley