There is a long tradition of making domestic, exceptional wine in Montenegro.

How did the wine production started in Montenegro?

Although there are evidences that wine was produced in Montenegro in Pre-roman period, the expansion of wine culture began during the reign of King Nikola (one of the most important rulers in history of Montenegro).

The culture of vine growing in Montenegro took an upward trajectory when he issued an order in 1890, according to which every adult man who wanted to marry, was obliged to plant 200 vines in his vineyard area, and those who would plant 2000 vines would be exempt from paying all the taxes at that time. The Mediterranean climate has almost ideal conditions for growing vines, and with all that in mind, the majority of man started planting vineyards.

Nowadays, there are many families all over Montenegro who, in keeping with the tradition of their ancestors, continue to produce wine grapes and produce high quality wines.

In total, there are about 4 300 hectares of vineyards and more than 60 small independent wineries in Montenegro.

For many wine lovers, discovering Montenegro’s indigenous grape varieties is one of the country’s most unexpected and memorable travel experiences.

Why Montenegro Is Becoming a Hidden Wine Destination

Although Montenegro is one of Europe’s smallest countries, it has a wine tradition that dates back more than 2,000 years. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, sunny hillsides and fertile land around Skadar Lake, Montenegro produces wines with strong character and authentic local identity.

In recent years, Montenegro has started attracting more travelers looking for authentic wine experiences away from crowded destinations. You can enjoy boutique wineries, traditional family-owned vineyards, local food pairings and scenic wine routes surrounded by mountains and lakes.

For travelers who enjoy discovering hidden gems, Montenegro offers a unique combination of wine culture, nature and hospitality.

Montenegro wine regions

Perfect geographical and climate conditions of Montenegro enable successful cultivation of grapes all year round, creating two main wine regions in Montenegro.

First and the most important is Skadar Lake Wine region, with its sub regions of Podgorica, Crmnica and Rijeka Crnojevica. Here you will mostly find small family run wineries with the exceptional customer service, friendly members of family welcoming you and some of the best Vranac wines in Montenegro. Our Skadar Lake private tour is one that guests love the most, especially the wine tasting.

The second one is Coastal Wine region which is located between the Adriatic Sea and endless mountains on the other side. Its sub regions are Budva, Bar, Herceg Novi and Ulcinj area and Grahovo. The coastal wineries feature some of the best white wines, and often, good views and good meze. The wines are really exceptional, the region takes advantage of fertile land and an amazing microclimate.

Our guests in Budva often request the wine tasting. Even though the wine regions are further away, we have a partner who ownes a local household and produces only two types of wine. Our guests love the views and tastes there. Budva private tour with wine tasting and boat trip is one of our most requested tours.

Authentic wine experiences in Montenegro — Looking to discover authentic wine experiences in Montenegro? From private wine tastings and vineyard visits to tailor-made gastronomic journeys, Montenegro offers unforgettable experiences for wine lovers seeking something unique and authentic.

Grape Varieties in Montenegro

Montenegro may be a small country, but its wine identity is surprisingly rich and deeply rooted in tradition. Some historians believe that grape cultivation in this region dates back to the Illyrian and Roman periods, long before Montenegro even existed as a modern state. Thanks to the combination of Mediterranean climate, rocky terrain and more than 240 sunny days per year, grape varieties in Montenegro develop intense aromas and strong character.

The Famous Vranac Wine of Montenegro

The true king of Montenegrin vineyards is undoubtedly Vranac, an autochthonous Balkan grape variety that represents nearly 70% of the country’s wine production. Deeply colored, powerful and full-bodied, Vranac is known for flavors of dark berries, plum, chocolate and Mediterranean herbs.

Its name comes from the word vranac, meaning “black horse,” symbolizing strength and vitality. Locals often say that Vranac perfectly reflects Montenegro itself: wild, bold and unforgettable.

The vineyards surrounding Podgorica and Skadar Lake produce some of the country’s most famous Vranac wines, helped by mineral-rich soil and long sunny summers.

Fun Fact:

In Montenegro we don`t say Red wine, we say White wine - possibly because of Vranac since all wine production up to few years ago was this grape variety - stunning 75%.

Kratošija – Montenegro’s Ancient Connection to Zinfandel

Another fascinating red grape variety is Kratošija, one of the oldest grapes cultivated in the Balkans. Although many visitors have never heard of it before arriving in Montenegro, DNA research revealed that Kratošija is genetically related to California’s famous Zinfandel and Italy’s Primitivo grape.

This discovery surprised many wine experts around the world and connected Montenegro to one of the most internationally recognized wine families.

Kratošija wines are usually fruit-forward, elegant and slightly lighter than Vranac, with notes of cherries, red berries and spices.

Fun Fact:

For centuries, locals cultivated Kratošija without realizing it shared origins with some of the world’s most famous wines.

Krstač – A Rare White Wine Found Almost Only in Montenegro

When it comes to white wines, Krstač is Montenegro’s greatest treasure. This rare indigenous grape variety grows almost exclusively in Montenegro, especially in the vineyards around Podgorica.

Krstač produces fresh, aromatic and mineral wines with citrus and floral notes, making them ideal for pairing with Adriatic seafood, fish and light Mediterranean cuisine.

Its name comes from the Montenegrin word krst (cross), because the grape clusters naturally form a cross-like shape on the vine.

Fun Fact:

Many wine travelers consider Krstač one of Europe’s best hidden wine discoveries because it is extremely difficult to find outside Montenegro.

Žižak – A Forgotten Part of Montenegro’s Wine Heritage

One of Montenegro’s lesser-known grape varieties is Žižak, traditionally cultivated in smaller family vineyards. Although it is not produced in large quantities today, Žižak represents an important part of Montenegro’s authentic wine heritage.

These wines are rarely exported, which means tasting Žižak in Montenegro is often a unique experience reserved for travelers who explore beyond the usual tourist routes.

Many boutique wineries are now working to preserve old indigenous grape varieties like Žižak as part of the country’s growing wine tourism scene.

Fun Fact:

Žižak is considered one of Montenegro’s “hidden” grape varieties because many small family wineries still produce it only in limited quantities for local consumption. In some villages, homemade Žižak wine is rarely sold commercially and is traditionally shared with guests during family celebrations and gatherings.

Montenegro also produces fruit wines - for everyone who likes sweet wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon and International Varieties in Montenegro

Alongside indigenous grapes, Montenegro also cultivates international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Thanks to the warm climate and strong sun exposure, these grapes often develop a Mediterranean character different from wines produced in Western Europe.

Some wineries combine international techniques with traditional Montenegrin methods, creating interesting blends that reflect both local identity and modern winemaking trends.

Why Montenegro’s Grapes Are So Unique

What makes Montenegrin wines truly special is the combination of:

Mediterranean and continental climate influences
Rocky limestone terrain
High number of sunny days
Large temperature differences between day and night
Traditional family winemaking knowledge passed down through generations

These natural conditions give Montenegrin wines strong personality, rich aromas and excellent aging potential.

The biggest winery in single complex in Europe: Plantaze vineyard in Montenegro

Thirty kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, next to lake Skadar, are infinite rows of grapevines form one of the largest and most beautiful vineyards in Europe – Ćemovsko polje.

In 1960 a vineyard was built on Cemovsko polje, near Podgorica, and 11 million grapevines were planted until 1982, thus allowing Plantaze to be the leader in the region in this field. Nowadays, a half of whole wine territory belongs to Plantaze - it covers 2.300 ha with around 11.5 million grapevines.

Plantaže winery produces 22 million kilos of grapes annually, selling more than 16 million bottled products in over 40 countries in the world.

The vineyards are located on the territory of the former military airport of Yugoslavia, and the main wine cellar is located in a hangar for military aircraft.

White wine is produced mainly from Krstač and Zizak varieties.

Krstač is also an autochthonic Montenegrin grape variety,and it is mostly cultivated in the southern part of Montenegro. It often grows at the regions close to Podgorica.

Wine tasting in Montenegro

We can help you organize a wine tasting in some of the family owned wineries, or also at the biggest one - Plantaze. Although visiting Plantaze is an amazing experience, the smaller wineries should not be missed. The hosts will often offer you a glass of rakija as an aperitif, traditional alcoholic beverage, with strong burning flavor (it’s no accident that we call it fire water).