If you’re a fan of wine and flavorful brandy, then you’ll instantly fall in love with Albania. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, Albania is the ideal location to grow the perfect grapes that produce some of the best drinks in the region.
Winemaking is an ancient tradition in Albania, dating all the way back to the Bronze Age. Fast forward to the years of communist dictatorship, wineries thrived but could only be controlled by the state. Now many wineries are family-owned and produce the country’s wines, whiskeys, and the national Albanian drink – raki.
What is Raki?
Raki is deeply integrated within Albanian history. When there is a celebration or any kind of special occasion, you will see Albanians sipping small glasses of raki. But when visiting Albania, don’t be surprised if you seek natives sipping this drink before or after meals or even with their morning coffee. You can think of raki as a kind of fruit brandy. Some are clear, while others can have a light brown color. While most raki is made from grapes, it can also be made from plums or berries.
Most makers of raki start by harvesting and pressing grapes in wooden or plastic barrels. After crushing the grapes and letting them sit for about 25-30 days for the fermentation process, they are then transferred to a copper pot where they are boiled. The steam from the boil passes through copper pipes to a cold container, where the distillation process begins.
There can be different flavors mixed after distillation, the most common being honey, cherries, and walnuts. On average, raki has an alcohol content of around 45%, so it’s definitely a beverage that should be savored in sips, not big gulps!
Many wineries are family-run and love the opportunity to welcome new visitors to tour their vineyards. Wine lovers and raki adventure seekers, here are your must-sip wineries and distilleries in Albania!
1. Kantina Skenderbeu – Durres
We kick off our wine tour of Albania with Kantina Skenderbeu, the largest winery in the entire country. It’s located in the city of Durres, which is only a short drive from the capital city of Tirana.
An Italian family opened the winery started in 1933 and eventually transitioned to being a state-owned company in 1957. Today, it is one of the most favorite places for wine and raki. Their most popular drink is the Skenderbeu Raki. It can be found in several places around the country, and you have probably seen bottles of it if you ever stepped into an Albania tourist shop. The raki is proudly named after the country’s national hero, Skanderbeg.
Their products are handcrafted from the grapes grown on the 484,000 square foot (45,000 square meters) vineyard. You can select and enjoy various wines and raki or join in on a wine tasting or finger food tour of the facility.
Vinea Resort – Durres
If you want to taste some of the best wine in Albania, but need a family-friendly place that also allows you to relax and get re-energized, then Vinea Resort is your next stop in Durres.
Vinea Resort not only has a vineyard and winery, but they are also home to a spa, playground, horse track, swimming pool and bar, and even a conference room for work retreats, meetings, or special occasions. And of course, you can always extend your stay and book one of their many hotel rooms.
You’ll come to Vinea Resort for the wine but stay after being captivated by all the ways to relax and have fun.
Plan a stay at Vinea Resort.
2. Kantina e Veres COBO – Berat
Our next stop provides magnificent views of the traditional city of Berat, a city that is more than 2,400-years-old also known as “The City of a Thousand Windows.”
Kantina e Veres COBO has been in the Cobo family for more than a century and is now owned by two Cobo brothers. This winery is revered for producing some of the best wines in the country. They produce various red and white wines, liquors, and sparkling wines, all from grapes from their own vineyard.
You can even sign up to tour the massive vineyard and cellar while casually sipping aged wine and sampling appetizers. When you’re there, you can chat with a member of the Cobo family about their long-standing family tradition of winemaking!
Described by visitors as having “soul,” it would be hard to find another place in the country with such passion and dedication for promoting Albanian wines.
Stay at Guesthouse Alvaro Kadiu for an authentic Berati experience. Kadiu is an Ottoman style house location in old town.
Book a tour with Berat City Tours: Select 1 Winery or Select 2 Wineries.
3. Kantina Duka – Lalez
Kantina Duka is nestled along a beautiful, blue-green lake in the town of Lalez, only about 40 minutes from Durres and an hour away from Tirana. The grapes grown on their massive vineyard produce three types of wines: merlot, tempranillo, and cabernet sauvignon.
They are also known for producing their own raki, Raki E Gjyshit, which is 49% alcohol and comprised of three different types of grapes. They also make a more traditional raki. No matter what you choose, wine or raki, it’s important to enjoy in sips!
You’ll see both natives and tourists signing up for wine tours of Kantina Duka because they are one of the most relaxing and fascinating wineries to visit in the country. They also serve delicious food pairings at their nearby restaurant if you happen to visit during lunch or dinner. You can also go kayaking or fishing if you’re looking for a full day of activities!
You can sign up for a tour of Kantina Duka and enjoy nearby Lalzi Bay beach, a hotspot for many natives.
4. Kantina Dukati – Vlore
The southern part of Albania mesmerizes many it’s one-of-a-kind beauty and virgin beaches. So if you’re heading south, Kantina Dukati in Vlore is your next must-stop winery visit.
Not only do you get to enjoy authentic Albanian wine, but you can sip your way to paradise surrounded by majestic mountains, perfectly blue skies, and fresh country air. This winery started as a farm but then transitioned to a winery by the family in 1993. The family continues to work hard to keep the winery running and is now known as one of the must-see wineries in the country. They are known for wine and raki, and you’ll pair your choice of beverages with bread, cheese, lamb, or any other traditional items on the menu.
Not only do they produce various wines, but they also grow various crops such as olives and pomegranates as well as raise animals such as sheep and chickens. They are less than 2 miles (3 km) from the sea, so the red rocky soil and the consistent sunshine helps to produce amazing wine and food. You can’t help but feel happy when you’re visiting Kantina Dukati.
5. Nurellari Winery – Berat
Established in 1995 by the Nurellari family, Nurellari Winery is only a short drive from the city of Berat. Throughout the years, it has grown to be one of the best producers of wine not only in Albania but also in the Balkans, clinching the silver medal during a Balkan international competition in Bulgaria in 2016. Their wines have also received several awards from the Ministry of Agriculture.
What makes wines from Nurellari Winery so tasty is their particular attention to organic ingredients, as well as the pride of running a family business for more than 25 years. You can tour the vineyards and the 800+ foot (250 meters) underground cellar and finish up by enjoying more wines in the spacious, state-of-the-art wine-tasting space where staff members can walk you through all their award-winning selections.
In addition to wine, you can also enjoy two different types of raki: Raki Rushi, handcrafted from Pulsi grapes, and Arrabon, a product produced exclusively by Nurellari Winery. Locals love putting Arrabon in their evening tea or cocktail.
An added bonus: Nurellari Winery also produces its own line of organic olive oil. Be sure to grab a bottle before leaving! Sign up for a tour of this one-of-a-kind winery and other fun activities in the area.
Stay at Guesthouse Alvaro Kadiu for an authentic Berati experience. Kadiu is an Ottoman style house location in old town.
Book a tour with Berat City Tours: Select 1 Winery or Select 2 Wineries.
6. Kantina Kallmeti – Lezhe
Located just outside of Lezhe is Kantina Kallmeti, situated in the small village of Kallmet. Kallmet is known throughout Albania for its long-standing history of grape cultivation. And when you set foot in Kantina Kallmeti, you’ll instantly know why!
Kallmeti is a hilly area that connects with the Vela Mountains. The land in this region is prime for growing grapes, resulting in a unique wine and raki from the region.
Two brothers founded Kantina Kallmeti in 2006 because of their love for this unique land and passion for a good, soul-enriching glass of wine. Today they produce various white and red wines, raki, and olive oils. You are welcome to tour the cellar and walk through the hypnotic rows of grapes in the vast vineyard surrounded by grass and rock covered mountains.
A must-buy bottle to-go is their premium Kallmet Prestige, an aged-dry red wine.
7. Alpeta Agroturizem & Winery – Berat
Mountainous views surround the ancient village of Berat, so it makes sense one of the best wineries in the region is tucked away in the mountains. Alpeta Agroturizem and Winery is just a 30-minute drive up in the mountains, and once you’re there, we wouldn’t judge if you didn’t want to leave.
The mountainous range allows for this winery to grow some of the best grapes for wine and raki. You can even participate in grape harvesting and olive picking to see for yourself how incredible the region is!
The Fiska Family operates the winery, the eldest member of the family studied agronomy back in the 1960s. The family has been producing wine and raki since 1992 and now offers two red wines, one white, and one wine called Pules. They make Pules wine from grapes grown in the vineyard’s highest altitudes, more than 1300 feet (400 meters) above sea level.
There is also a farm on site, bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables and accommodations when you’re too full from wine and fresh food to drive anywhere else. You can sign up to tour this picturesque winery and be taken away by the food, the wine, and the views.
Stay at Alpeta Agroturizem & Winery.
Book a tour with Berat City Tours: Select 1 Winery or Select 2 Wineries.
8. Kantina Arberi – Bukmira
The wine and raki at Kantina Arberi are so delicious that when international diplomats visit Albania, they make sure to stop by. Just recently, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Albania paid a visit to Kantina Arberi to enjoy sips of wine and raki.
This is one winery tucked away, in the hills of Bukmira, which is about an hour outside of Lezhe. But if the Ambassador made the trip, it must be worth it, right?
The high elevation of the hills is what makes the wine and raki genuinely unique. The grapes were first planted between 1969-1972, making every sip more unique and delicious. They offer two red wines, one white, two types of raki, and sparkling wine.
And the name Arberi carries historical significance as well. The name dates back to one of the most popular principalities named Arber from 1190-1216, showcasing the historical significance of Albania in the region.
9. Kokomani Winery – Eminas I Vogel
Kokomani Winery is a family-owned business that’s only a 30-minute drive outside of the beach city of Durres. This family has been producing wine for more than 20 years and are known for two distinct types of grapes: “Sheshi i Bardhe” and “Sheshi i Zi.” These types of grapes produce deep, fragrant flavors for their cabernet sauvignon, petit verdo, and merlot.
The on-site restaurant is where you can participate in a wine tasting, invite a big group to dinner, or both! This is a popular location for natives to host office parties, birthday parties, or big family gatherings.
Book a tour featuring a wine tasting at Kokomani Winery and visit to olive oil farm Subashi Vaj Ulliri.
10. Alba Lejla Winery – Skrapar
If you’re near the coast in Vlore or perhaps near the Albanian-Greece border of Korce, from either location, it will take you about three and a half hours to make it to Alba Lejla Winery. Located in some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, you’ll have an adventure getting there and then be even more excited once you arrive.
That’s because Alba Lelja Winery is home to one of the most famous rakis in the country. Also, a distillery, Alba Lelja produces Skrapari, a well-known raki distributed around the country and the region. The production of raki in this region dates back for centuries, with some of those ancient techniques still being used today.
You can also take a break from the famous raki and enjoy some of the best wine in the region. This is what makes Alba Lelja the must-visit distilleries and wineries in Albania.
11. Kantina Enol – Preze
Kantina Enol is a wonderful location if one of your first to-do items is to enjoy delicious wine and raki as soon as you land in Albania. Preze is only 25 minutes from the airport and makes for a perfect way to kick off your wine tasting adventure.
Known as one of the best farm-to-table locations in the country, this family-owned farm and winery grow their very own grapes to make their wines and raki. The family first planted grapes between 2002-2004 along the slopes of Preze hills. By 2007 the winery was built, and the family started selling wine.
When you visit, you can still see some of the bottles from those early years. The winery produces around 10,000 bottles every year, specializing in Cabernet, Sangiovese and merlot, and Trebbiano.
They also have a very special version of raki that they produced from experimenting with different flavors and textures. This version of raki is called Rukomel, and it’s flavored with cinnamon, honey, and cloves.
Farm-to-table food, wine, and raki, plus a picturesque restaurant and hotel, are what make Kantina Enol one of the best ways to kick off your wine-tasting adventure.
12. Medaur Winery – Koplik
We’re rounding out our top wineries and distilleries list with the beautiful lakeside view of Medaur Winery, located in the small village of Koplik roughly 25 minutes outside of Shkoder.
From the grapes grown on their vineyard that’s nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level, Dr. Ulqini is one of the most experienced winemakers in the country who oversees the production at Medaur Winery. Under his supervision, this winery produces some of the best aromatic Chardonnay, Kallmet, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medaur Winery is also home to its own raki.
They offer tours of their massive wine cellar and distillery area, followed by wine tastings and food pairings. If you’re in the area, Medaur Winery is definitely a must-visit winery for your bucket list!
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What Makes Wineries and Distilleries in Albania So Unique
Suppose you’re obsessed with wine or brandy, or perhaps only like to enjoy a glass on special occasions, either way. In that case, we hope you consider visiting one of these amazing Albanian wineries.
As you can tell, most of these wineries are family-owned and operated. This reflects the core definition of Albanian culture, that is, the importance of family. And when you visit any of these wineries, that is how you’ll be treated.
Because not only are these families proud to uphold such long-standing family businesses, but they are also proud to represent their country with delicious, handcrafted beverages.
All we have to say is gezuar (cheers) to all the amazing wine and raki available in such an amazing country.
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