Azerbaijan’s growing wine scene is becoming a favorite for Italian travelers. The country has ten major wine regions, each easy to reach and full of beautiful views, friendly people, and rich traditions.
More wine festivals have occurred across Azerbaijan in recent years, showing the country’s deep love for winemaking. These events allow visitors to taste local wines, enjoy music, and meet winemakers. Renting a car in Azerbaijan allows Italian travelers to explore at their own pace. With open roads, welcoming vineyards, and quiet villages, every drive becomes a personal journey filled with new flavors and local charm.
Azerbaijan has many wine regions that are easy and rewarding to explore by car. Each region has its stle, history, and scenery, so every stop offers Italian travelers a unique experience.
Gabala is one of Azerbaijan’s top mountain resort cities, known for its lush scenery and cool mountain air. Located at the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Gabala offers beautiful spots like Lake Nohur, the Tufandag Mountains, and a well-preserved 15th-century fortress. Wine lovers will find Gabala especially rewarding. Savalan ASPI Winery, located in the city's foothills, produces some of Azerbaijan’s finest wines.
Their red wines, including Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, are full-bodied and fruity, while their whites, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Viognier, are crisp and floral. Founded in 2007, the winery offers guided tours with wine tastings. On clear days, visitors can enjoy stunning mountain views while sampling different labels. Savalan also crafts sweet dessert wines, giving guests a broad tasting experience.
Shamakhi is one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cities. It is located on the rolling hills of the Shirvan region, surrounded by pine forests and fertile valleys. Visitors come for the historical sites, local cuisine, hiking trails, and refreshing mountain air.
Wine tasting adds another special layer to the Shamakhi experience. Meysari Winery (also known as Shirvan Wines) produces dry organic wines from French grape varieties. Signature bottles include Makhmari, a dry red blend with redcurrant notes, and Sadaf, a dry white wine offering hints of pear and bay leaf. Nearby, Azgranata Winery stands out for its bold reds, such as the Madrasa wine with its rich dark-cherry flavor, and for crafting unique pomegranate wines. Wine tours here are easy to combine with cultural visits and hikes.
Ganja is Azerbaijan’s historic second city. The old town features Islamic mausoleums and 19th-century red-brick buildings, giving the city a unique, historic atmosphere. Thanks to its large student population, Ganja is also known for its leafy parks, vibrant street life, and youthful energy.
Wine lovers will find something special here, too. Ganja produces its selection of wines, offering rich reds and crisp whites made from local grapes. Wineries in the area invite visitors to taste their creations, often paired with Ganja’s famous pakhlava pastry, a sweet and nutty treat.
Ismayilli is a peaceful region in the southern side of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Rolling forests, mountain villages, and old craft centers like Lahij make it a great destination for travelers who enjoy nature and culture. Chabiant Winery, set on sunny mountain slopes about 750 meters above sea level, produces a range of well-crafted wines.
Their specialties include a crisp rosé made from local Matrasa grapes, a fruity white blend of Rkatsiteli and Mtzvani with hints of melon and pear, and rich red blends combining Cabernet Sauvignon and Saperavi. The winery has a cozy tasting room and a guesthouse called Chateau Monolit, allowing visitors to stay overnight and enjoy the wine and the views. In Ismayilli, wine tasting goes hand in hand with scenic hikes and cultural discoveries.
Tovuz, located in western Azerbaijan, is surrounded by the scenic foothills of the Lesser Caucasus. The area’s relaxed pace and wide views make it a pleasant stop for travelers exploring the western parts of the country.
Wine and brandy tasting is a highlight in Tovuz. Tovuz Baltiya, one of the largest wineries in Azerbaijan, is best known for its fine brandy production. It also crafts various table wines, sparkling champagnes, and still and sparkling fruit wines made from pomegranates and quinces. Visitors can tour the winery’s cellars by appointment or visit the tasting room in Baku to sample the full range.
Goygol, located northwest of Ganja, holds a special place in Azerbaijan’s wine history. German settlers established vineyards here in the 1860s, making Goygol the birthplace of the country’s wine industry. The town still shows traces of its German heritage, with old architecture and a distinct cultural atmosphere.
Goygol Winery, founded by German settlers, continues to produce a range of whites, reds, dessert wines, and brandies. Visitors can sample these wines inside the historic 1860s-built German cellar. Combining a wine tour with outdoor activities like hiking makes Goygol a great destination for travelers who want cultural experiences and natural beauty.
Shamkir is located in western Azerbaijan. Its 19th-century architecture reflects a past shaped by German settlers, and its lively fruit-and-vegetable markets bring energy to the streets. Sharg Ulduzu Winery, set in the hills near Shamkir, is known for producing low-alcohol and lightly sweet wines. Signature labels include Aghdam, a golden port-stle wine, dry whites from the Bayan Shira grape, and a dry Shiraz red. The winery offers tours and tastings on the hillside, allowing guests to enjoy local wines surrounded by scenic countryside.
Sheki is one of Azerbaijan's most picturesque cities. Sitting along ancient Silk Road routes, It is known for its colorful 18th-century Khan’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its stained-glass windows and intricate designs. Wine lovers will find Sheki equally rewarding. The Sheki Sharab Winery and Museum celebrates the region’s deep wine-making traditions.
The museum is set against the beautiful backdrop of the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, near the fertile Alazani Valley and the region’s scenic vineyards. Visitors can explore more than 500 exhibits, each reflecting the history of Azerbaijani wine and the people who shaped its development. Guests can also taste Sheki’s local still and sparkling wines, usually served with cheeses and fresh fruits. The wines are typically balanced and dry, offering an authentic flavor of the region.
Some planning will help Italian travelers enjoy the best wine tasting in Azerbaijan.
Wine tasting in Azerbaijan offers new flavors, relaxed settings, and cultural traditions. Here’s what to expect:
Many vineyards blend international grapes with native varieties. For example, Savalan ASPI in Gabala grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay alongside local grapes. Indigenous varieties like Madrasa, known for its spicy red notes, and Bayan Shira, a floral white grape, are unique to Azerbaijan.
Some estates even produce pink rosés from 100% local Matrasa grapes. Beyond grape wines, fruit wines are a special highlight. Pomegranate wine, called narsharab locally, is a beloved specialty, and some wineries even make sweet mulberry wines.
Wine tastings in Azerbaijan tend to be very relaxed and welcoming compared to more formal settings in Italy. Many wineries host tastings outdoors in patios or rustic cellars surrounded by vineyards.
Tastings are usually paired with local food such as cheese and meat platters, fresh salads, olives, and warm bread. This casual setup encourages guests to relax, talk, and enjoy the experience. Some wineries add personal touches, like inviting guests to join grape harvests in autumn.
Most wineries have onsite shops where visitors can buy bottles, often packed with travel-safe materials like padded sleeves, sturdy boxes, or cushioned bags. However, it is important to check airline rules before traveling. Most airlines allow a few liters of wine in checked luggage, but liquids in carry-on bags are restricted. If you plan to buy several bottles, pack them carefully or arrange shipping through the winery.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for wine tours in Azerbaijan.
In spring, vineyards wake up with new green leaves, and the weather is mild and fresh. Travelers will enjoy driving through bright landscapes dotted with flowers and young grapevines. Autumn brings the grape harvest. The air smells of ripe fruit, and wineries are full of activity. This is the best time to watch winemaking in action and to taste fresh young wines straight from the barrel.
Planning a visit during these months can also make it more comfortable to drive in Azerbaijan. You can expect clear roads and cooler weather, making sightseeing around the wine regions easier and more enjoyable. Travelers should book winery visits early during harvest season, as it can be busy.
Azerbaijan’s wine regions offer Italian travelers tradition, adventure, and hospitality. Exploring by car gives freedom to create a personal journey through some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes and flavorful vineyards.
Renting a car with Finalrentals makes it easier to explore. We offer reliable car rental service across Azerbaijan with flexible pick-up locations like Baku Airport and downtown Baku. Our vehicles include compact cars for short city drives, spacious SUVs ideal for reaching hillside wineries, and premium cars for added comfort on longer trips.
