Roshnik is a small village in the hills above Berat, roughly 15 kilometres northeast of the city, and it is one of the most important wine-producing villages in Albania. The rolling limestone hills around Roshnik are covered in vineyards growing the indigenous Shesh i Bardhe and Shesh i Zi grapes, and several family-run wineries operate tasting rooms where you can sample wines made from grapes grown metres from where you are sitting. The village itself is a cluster of traditional stone houses with red-tiled roofs, a small Orthodox church, and views across the vineyards to Mount Tomorr.
Wine has been produced in Roshnik for centuries, and the village is at the heart of the Berat wine renaissance that has seen Albanian wines begin to gain international recognition. The climate – hot summers, cold winters, limestone soil – produces wines with distinct minerality. The best way to visit is to contact a winery directly, arrange a tasting, and spend an afternoon walking the vineyards and learning about indigenous Albanian grape varieties from the people who grow them.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best For | Wine tasting, vineyard walks, Albanian indigenous grape varieties |
| Accessibility | Paved road from Berat (25 min); 2WD fine |
| Ideal Months | May to October; September to October for harvest season |
| Cost Tier | Budget to Mid-range |
| The Secret Factor | Alpeta Winery in Roshnik produces one of Albania best Shesh i Bardhe whites. Call ahead to arrange a tasting on their terrace overlooking the vineyards. The tasting includes local cheese and olive oil and costs roughly 1,500 LEK per person |
How to Get There
Drive northeast from Berat toward the villages of the Berat wine region. Roshnik is signed after roughly 15 kilometres. The road is paved. A taxi from Berat costs 1,500 to 2,000 LEK.
The Insider Checklist
- Book winery tastings ahead. Walk-ins are not always accommodated.
- Cash preferred at smaller wineries. Alpeta and Cobo accept cards.
- Combine with a visit to Berat old town and the Cobo Winery near the city.
