Kotor Wine

Explore Kotor Wine: Bars, Shops & Wineries

Kotor is not a vineyard town, but it is a practical place to taste Montenegrin wine during a stay on the Bay of Kotor. Restaurants, wine bars, grocery stores, and bottle shops commonly carry wines from Plantaže along with smaller Montenegrin and regional producers.

The main local grapes to know are Vranac, Montenegro’s key red grape, and Krstač, an important white grape. Wine bars in Kotor are the easiest way to try these without arranging a winery visit, while wineries near Lake Skadar and the Crmnica area require advance planning and transport.

We spent a month in Kotor researching what local wines to drink, where to drink them, and how realistic winery outings are from the old town. This guide focuses on wine bars, wine shops, wineries near Kotor, and practical planning notes for visitors without a dedicated wine trip.

Local Wine in Kotor

Kotor sits on the coast, while most of Montenegro’s vineyards are inland, especially around Lake Skadar and nearby wine areas. That means Kotor works better as a tasting base than as a winery base.

In town, look for Vranac, Krstač, rosé, sparkling wine, and dessert wine from Montenegrin producers. Many restaurants and shops carry Plantaže because it is the country’s largest producer, but wine bars and specialty shops may also have bottles from smaller wineries.

For a broader overview of the country’s wine regions and grapes, see our Montenegro Wine page.

Montenegro Wine

Montenegro Wine

Montenegro wine is closely tied to Vranac, a red grape used for structured dry reds, and Krstač, a white grape associated with crisp dry whites. The Lake Skadar and Crmnica areas are important for winery visits, while coastal towns such as Kotor are better for tasting by the glass or buying bottles.

Wine Bars in Kotor

Wine bars in Kotor are useful if you want to compare Montenegrin wines without leaving the old town area. Ask which local bottles are open by the glass, because many lists include a mix of Montenegrin, Balkan, Italian, and international wines.

Vinograd Kotor

  • Address: Stari Grad 265, Kotor, Montenegro

Vinograd Kotor is a central old-town option for tasting wine during an evening walk. It is one of the most practical places to start if you want a wine-focused stop inside the walls.

Ladovina Kitchen and Wine Bar

  • Address: 209 Njegoševa, Kotor 85330, Montenegro

Ladovina Kitchen and Wine Bar is outside the old town walls and works well for a meal with wine rather than a quick glass. Its location makes it useful if you want to avoid staying only inside the most crowded streets.

Old Winery Wine Bar

  • Address: 483 Zanatska, Kotor, Montenegro

Old Winery Wine Bar is located inside the old town and works best as a casual evening stop. Check the current wine list if your goal is specifically Montenegrin bottles.

BUTIGA Wine & Deli

  • Address: Put Prvoborca, Kotor 85330, Montenegro

BUTIGA Wine & Deli combines wine with deli products and regional bottles. It is useful if you want a bottle, snacks, or a less formal tasting stop.

Ombra Food & Wine

  • Address: Old Town 374, Kotor 85339, Montenegro

Ombra Food & Wine is an old-town option for pairing wine with food. It works better as a meal stop than a dedicated tasting room.

Moja Kafanica Kotor

  • Address: Stari Grad 364, Kotor, Montenegro

Moja Kafanica Kotor is a casual old-town stop that can work for a simple glass of wine or meal during a walk through the center.

Wine Shops in Kotor

The grocery stores in Kotor have a large selection of bottled wine. However, if you are looking for something special, the wine shop and some of the wine bars sell wines from boutique wineries by the bottle.

Savoir Wine Shop

  • Address: CQGC+2PH, Kotor, Montenegro

Savoir is a shop in Kotor's Old Town featuring a wide selection of regional wines, spirits, and old and new world cigars.

Wineries Near Kotor

There are no wineries in Kotor. However, several wineries are located approximately 1 1/2 hrs south of Kotor, where you can tour the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process.

Bečićki Vinogradi

  • Address: 7VPJ+2G7, Bečići, Montenegro

BUK Winery

  • Address: Bukovik, Crmnica Opština Bar, Bar 81305, Montenegro

BUK Winery

Winery Masanovic

Vinarija Mašanović

  • Address: Railway station, Virpazar 81305, Montenegro

Winery "Klisic Family"

  • Address: Limljani, Montenegro

Garnet

  • Address: Godinje village Virpazar, 81305, Montenegro

Lipovac

  • Address: Građani 81250, Montenegro

Lipovac

Winery Kopitovic

  • Address: Donji Brceli bb Donji Brceli, Virpazar 81305, Montenegro

Winery Djukanovic

  • Address: Mačuge bb, Mačuge, Montenegro

Zavjet Vinarija

  • Address: Gluhi Do, Virpazar 81305, Montenegro

Self-Guided Winery Tour from Kotor

Montenegro's wine industry is known for its warm hospitality. Wine tastings in Montenegro come with tastings of Montenegrin wine, rakija, and local cuisine like cured meats and cheeses. The locals are very kind and helpful, and they make the guests' experience unforgettable.

If you only have one day for a wine tour, we suggest visiting the suggested wineries in the following order:

 

If you have a driver (and you definitely should), you could visit all four wineries on the list while spending approximately 3 hours in the car during a roundtrip from Kotor. Of course, how long the entire tour takes will depend on how long you spend at each winery. Regardless, it will be a long day of wine tasting, and a stop for lunch is strongly recommended!

NOTE: Some wineries in Montenegro require reservations for tastings and tours. We suggest you contact them ahead of time to make any necessary arrangements.

PRO TIP: If you're still capable of walking (and have a designated driver), you can visit two additional wineries while only driving 15 more minutes. The extended tour will add Winery Masanovic and Zavject Vinarija to the itinerary above.

Wine Tours from Kotor

Wine tours from Kotor provide access to several wine-producing areas in southern and central Montenegro. These tours typically include guided tastings, vineyard visits, and explanations of local grape varieties and production methods.

Best Places To Stay In Kotor

Hotels in Kotor

There are many great places to stay in Kotor. For the best experience, we recommend staying inside the Old Town (the castle marker on the map below is a great square inside the Old Town).

Below is an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

FAQs About Kotor Wine

What wine is Montenegro known for?

Montenegro is best known for Vranac, a red grape used for dry red wines. Krstač is an important white grape, and many restaurants and shops in Kotor also carry rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines from Montenegrin producers.

Can you visit wineries from Kotor?

Yes, but most wineries are outside Kotor and require advance planning. Expect to use a driver, private transfer, or organized tour if you want to visit wineries near Lake Skadar, Crmnica, or other inland areas.

Where can I drink Montenegrin wine in Kotor?

You can drink Montenegrin wine in wine bars, restaurants, and some shops in and around the old town. Ask which local bottles are available by the glass if you want to compare more than one wine.

What is Plantaže?

Plantaže is Montenegro’s largest wine producer and one of the easiest labels to find in restaurants, bars, and grocery stores in Kotor.

Do I need a car for wine tasting near Kotor?

You need transport, but you should not drive yourself after tastings. A private driver, transfer, or organized tour is usually the safest way to visit wineries from Kotor.