Kantina e Veres Isak is a winery located near the Albanian Riviera’s capital, Saranda. You may consider visiting the winery, especially if you want to enjoy a culinary experience on the Albanian Riviera or are looking for something to do on a rainy day in the area. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting this winery, including whether it’s worth it!
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About Kantina e Veres Isak
Kantina e Veres Isak is a winery that not only produces wine but also different types of brandy, cognac, olive oil, vinegar and honey. During a trip to this winery, you’ll have the pleasure of trying all of these things.
Sure, this winery may not be on top of your to-do list during a trip to the Albanian Riviera. After all, Albania may not be the first European country to come to mind when thinking about wine production. Yet, Albania is one of the oldest wine producing countries in Europe.
Unfortunately, during Albanian’s communist era between the mid-1940s and early 1990s, development in wine production waned. Thankfully, since then, several pioneers have helped with a resurgence in Albanian wine-making.
If you want to experience wine culture in Albania and are based in Saranda or Ksamil, Kantina e Veres Isak is a convenient winery to visit.
FYI – in English, Kantina e Veres Isak roughly translates to the Isak Winery.
Where Is Kantina e Veres Isak?
Kantina e Veres Isak is located in the Vrion-Saranda industrial area in Albania. The winery is about a 15–20 minute drive from Saranda.
Location: Google Maps
Getting to Kantina e Veres Isak Independently
It’s simple enough to drive to the winery if you’ve hired a car. There is plenty of free parking on-site.
But, if you want to avoid the situation of having a designated driver, it’s best to get a taxi to the winery. Post-pandemic, taxi prices have significantly increased on the Albanian Riviera. Beck and I were able to negotiate a return taxi with Eco Saranda Taxi for €45. We easily organised with our driver a drop-off and pick up time.
If you were wondering, there is no public transport from Saranda or Ksamil to the winery. Sure, there are public buses running from Saranda to Gjirokaster that pass by the winery. So, you could possibly ask the driver to drop you off near the winery. The problem is returning to Saranda. As far as we’re aware, the public buses between Saranda and Gjirokaster are limited and there isn’t a reliable timetable to use to co-ordinate your trip. With this said, we don’t recommend trying to use public transport to get to and from the winery.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
Winery Tour Options
Once you arrive at the winery, you’ll be greeted by the welcoming staff. They’ll offer three tour packages, priced at €15 (1,500LEK), €25 (2,500LEK) and €35 (3,500LEK). Each package includes a tour of the winery.
Regarding wine tasting, essentially, the more you pay, the more wine you get to try.
The most basic €15/person package includes three wines (white, rose and red), three bottles of raki (original, blueberry and mixed fruit) and a bottle of cognac brandy to try. Regarding food, you’ll enjoy small plates of local cheeses, cured meats, pickled vegetables, bread and olive oil.
In comparison, the €35/person package includes six different wines, five bottles of raki and a bottle of cognac brandy to try. In terms of food, you’ll get extra plates of barbequed meat such as chicken, lamb and sausages plus extra smaller dishes featuring salad and vegetables.
Our Experience at Kantina e Veres Isak
Beck and I really enjoyed our experience visiting Kantina e Veres Isak, choosing the €15/person package. Bear in mind, that on some days, staff present may only speak limited English. This is what we experienced. So, after a brief tour from a lovely member of staff, we were essentially left to our own devices to independently explore the winery.
During the tour, you’ll be shown the visitor centre, which showcases some of the winery’s produce. You’ll also be shown the main cellar, where the wine is stored during the fermenting and aging processes.
In addition, there is a greenhouse to view where they grow their own vegetables. Last but not least, you’ll see the vineyards, where grapes and olives are grown. Seeing the vineyards with the Albanian Alps looming large in the distance was a highlight for us.
After the tour, you’ll then sit down at a private table to enjoy your wine and produce tasting. At this stage, you can simply waste away the day drinking, eating and maybe even people watching, if you’re into that type of thing!
After finishing our tasting, we decided to head into the visitor centre to sample some more delicious produce. For only €3, we purchased a bottle of Merlot to share, leading to a very merry afternoon!
Is Kantina e Veres Isak Worth Visiting?
By visiting Kantina e Veres Isak, you’ll enjoy a unique Albanian culinary cultural experience, that you might otherwise miss by sticking to the typical tourist activities on the Albanian Riviera. With that said, for a varied experience during your trip to Saranda or Ksamil, we recommend visiting this winery. After all, the Albanian Riviera is more than just the sublime coastline of blue water beaches such as Kroreza Beach, Mirror Beach and Gremina Bay.
It’s also a great way to spend a rainy day if that’s what you’re dealt with during a stay in Saranda or Ksamil.
Regarding the quality of the wine, is it the best wine we’ve ever tried at a winery? No. Beck and I thought the wine was a little bland, lacking a real striking or impressive taste. But, we still recommend going, if simply for the fun and unique experience.
Visiting the Winery As Part of A Group Tour
It’s also possible to visit the winery as part of an organised group tour, which also includes visiting other attractions around Saranda. Typically, a group tour visiting the winery will also include a visit to the Blue Eye and Lekuresi Castle. You can conveniently book this group tour on either GetYourGuide or Viator.
Where to Stay Nearby
Most people visiting the Albanian Riviera will stay in Saranda or Ksamil. We don’t recommend staying in Ksamil unless staying in a touristy area full of holiday resorts and private beaches is your sort of vibe.
Yes, Saranda has plenty of hotels as it’s a popular tourist destination. But, being a much bigger town than Ksamil, Saranda has much more to offer in terms of restaurants, accommodation options and places of interest. It’s also a more convenient base when it comes to exploring other attractions in the area.
Without a doubt, the best high-quality budget stay in Saranda is at Mariana Apartments.
Mariana Apartments
- Modern apartments feature fully-equipped kitchens
- Seaview balconies provide excellent views of Saranda
- Outstanding value for money
FAQs
Below, you’ll find some helpful answers to frequently asked questions about Kantina e Veres Isak.
What Are the Opening Hours?
It’s open daily from 8am to 8pm.
Do You Need to Book a Tour In Advance?
No, making a booking in advance isn’t necessary.
How Much Is a Taxi to Kantina e Veres Isak?
On average, you’ll pay around €25 one way from Saranda to the winery. So, the average price of a return taxi from Saranda is around €50. As mentioned, we were able to negotiate a return trip for €45.
Does Kantina e Veres Isak Accept Card Payment?
Yes, the winery accepts cash and card payments in both € and LEK.
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