Azerbaijani Wine: Regions, Grapes, Wineries and Wine Tours

Planning a trip to Azerbaijan and want to know the country by more than its landscapes and architecture? Try the local wine. Winemaking here has a history of many centuries, and today modern wineries welcome visitors for tastings and tours.

In this guide: the history of Azerbaijani winemaking, main regions and local grapes, wineries you can visit, pomegranate wine and tips for planning a wine trip.

The History of Winemaking in Azerbaijan

The South Caucasus is one of the oldest winemaking centres in the world. Traces of viticulture have been found across the country: in the Arpachay valley in Nakhchivan, in Goygol (jugs with wine residue from the 2nd millennium BC) and in Gabala (a wine cellar from the 1st–3rd centuries AD). Herodotus, Strabo and Pliny the Elder wrote about viticulture in these lands.

In the 19th century, German settlers founded Helenendorf (now Goygol) and started commercial winemaking. Production grew in the Soviet era and peaked in 1984, though much of the wine was sweet and of modest quality. The anti-alcohol campaign that began in 1985 destroyed most vineyards, and rebuilding after independence took about a decade. Since 2002 the state has supported the revival, with new vineyards and experts from Italy and Moldova.

Wine Regions

• Goygol — the birthplace of commercial winemaking.
• Shamakhi and Ismayilli — Greater Caucasus foothills, home to Meysari and Chabiant.
• Gabala — Savalan (ASPI Winery) and mountain scenery.
• Shamkir — Sharg Ulduzu winery.
• Agsu — AzGranata, known for pomegranate wine.
• Sheki — the Sheki Sharab wine museum.
• Nakhchivan — ancient winemaking sites along the Arpachay.
• Karabakh — a historic wine region (Aghdam, Fuzuli) now being restored.

Popular Grape Varieties

Local and international varieties grow side by side, and more than 50 indigenous varieties are known.

• Madrasa — a local red grape centred on the Shamakhi area, used for full-bodied reds.
• Bayan Shira — a local white grape for crisp, mineral wines, traditionally also sparkling.
• Saperavi and Rkatsiteli — pan-Caucasus varieties widely grown in Azerbaijan.
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah — international varieties planted by many estates.

Wineries You Can Visit

Savalan (ASPI Winery), Gabala. Founded in 2006. Its museum complex holds the world’s largest wooden wine barrel (Guinness World Record, December 2024). The estate grows 22 wine grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Meysari Winery, Shamakhi. In Meysari village. The first producer in Azerbaijan classified as organic under EU standards. Vineyards were planted in 2014 and now cover about 160 hectares, with wines made from French varieties. The site has a museum, the Abgora restaurant with local food masterclasses and a guesthouse. Open Monday–Saturday 08:00–19:00, Sundays by arrangement. Phone: +994 12 565 00 40.

Chabiant Winery, Ismayilli. In Hajihatamli village, at the foot of the Greater Caucasus. The tour covers the vineyards, winery and cellar, with a tasting of red, white and rosé wines, snacks and a talk with the sommeliers.

Sharg Ulduzu, Shamkir. On the Baku–Gazakh highway (km 388). It makes dry reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Saperavi, a dry Bayan Shira white and semi-sweet wines. It has a museum and tastings.

Pomegranate Wine

The pomegranate is a symbol of Azerbaijan, and pomegranate wine is a distinctive local drink. It typically has a deep ruby colour and a sweet-tart taste. It goes with meat, cheese and traditional sweets, and many visitors take it home as a food souvenir.

AzGranata, Agsu. A winery in Pirhasanli village, founded in 2011. Pomegranate wine is its main product, alongside grape wines (red, white, rosé and sweet). Tours run in English and Russian and, according to a wine tourism directory, cost from €10 to €70 depending on the programme (confirm prices when booking). The estate grows pomegranate orchards, mainly the Gulovsha variety.

Goychay. The town is a pomegranate centre. The Pomegranate Festival takes place during the harvest, in October or November, with concerts, games and a market of local products, including pomegranate wine. The date changes every year.

Planning a Wine Trip

• Shamakhi and Ismayilli — an easy day trip from Baku: Meysari, Chabiant and lunch.
• Gabala — wine and mountain scenery at Savalan.
• Agsu and Goychay — pomegranate wine, especially in autumn.
• Sheki — the wine museum and the old town.

Book tours in advance and confirm opening hours, as some wineries follow seasonal schedules.

Tips for Wine Lovers

• Try local grapes: red Madrasa and white Bayan Shira.
• Piti, the traditional lamb dish, goes well with a full-bodied red.
• Serve pomegranate wine as an aperitif with light snacks or cheese.
• Wine makes a good souvenir. Check alcohol allowances at the airport.

Azerbaijani winemaking combines ancient history, modern wineries and distinctive local grapes and drinks. Choose a region, book a tour and taste the country at the vineyard.