Which native Albanian wines are worth trying?

Albania has one of the oldest wine-making traditions in Europe, dating back more than 3,000 years, back to the Bronze Age. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, wine production in the country increased significantly, although production declined under Ottoman rule.

During the communist dictatorship, there were several active wineries and grape production facilities managed only by the regime (not private owners). It’s hard to remember a decent wine from those times. Today, however, the situation has changed. The increasingly attractive coast of Albania is slowly revealing an increasingly diverse local wine scene.

The most common varieties of native Albanian grapes are Kallmeti, Shesh, Debin, Vranac, and Vlosh. The Land of Eagles can be divided into four major wine regions, including the coastal plains, the central highlands, the eastern foothills, and the mountains.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the best Albanian wineries.

Kantina (winery) Kallmeti

 Located 11 km from the city of Lezhë in the hilly area of Kallmet, known in Albania for its long tradition of growing grapes. Kantina Kallmeti was founded in 2006 by two brothers with a great passion for good wines. The winery also produces brandy and olive oil. The best thing you can do here, after the tour, is to buy a bottle of premium wine, made from grapes grown on the sandy terrain.

 

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Çobo Winery

Çobo is a family winery located at the foot of Mount Tomorr near Berat. The Çobo family organizes cellar tours in English and Italian, showing visitors the winemaking process and telling interesting anecdotes about the history of the family and their wines. After the tour, visitors taste a glass of wine with a selection of local Albanian cheese and local olives.

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KOKOMANI WINERY

Located between Tirana and the coastal city of Durrës, Kokomani Winery is known for being home to the indigenous Shesh grape, one of the best in Albania. Kantina Kokomani produces both red and white wine, three types of high-quality wines known as Sheshi i Zi, Sheshi i Bardhë, and Shën Mhill, which are distinguished by their special smell and taste.

You can read more about this winery and our experience here.

 

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If you have already tasted Albanian wines, let us know how did you like it and which one is your favorite?