If you love wine, we have good news for you: Bali is one of the new wine destinations working with indigenous and imported grape varieties to produce incredible young wines.
The art of French, Italian, and Australian winemaking made its way to Bali in the early 90s, and since then, slow and steady, local wines have won awards and grown in export.
From guided tours to wineries to cozy wine bars, this is the complete guide to where you can have the best wine tasting experience in Bali.
Summary: Best Wine Tastings In Bali, Editors’ Choice
- Most diverse wine tasting experiences are offered at Sababay Winery
- If you prefer a bar setting, there are two best options: Belle Wine Bar in Ubud for a casual night out, or Hiddeg Gem Wine Lounge in Uluwatu for a more luxe evening.
Brief Introduction To Bali Wines
The only region in Bali suitable for winemaking is Northern Bali, so most vineyards are located there, while reps offices or actual production facilities can be somewhere else.
Due to the hot and humid climate and terrain, Bali produces non-vintage wines. Locally grown grapes can be harvested year-round, and Bali wines are rarely aged in wooden barrels (some Hatten wines are!)
If you want to bring a bottle home, please double-check the alcohol allowance of your home country. For example, the duty-free limit for alcohol import to Australia is 2.25 litres.
Best Wine Tasting Experiences In Bali
1. Sababay Winery Tour And Tasting
Our personal favourite is the experience at Sababay Winery & Distillery on the East Coast of Bali.
From the private parking, you step into a tropical garden with set up sitting and resting areas, exotic flowers, and towering trees creating shade.
A space in the centre is reserved for romantic experiences (Indonesian dinner or wine tasting with picnic basket at extra cost) with a mini vineyard at the back to learn more about the grapes used to make Sababay wines. There you will also find the store and the restaurant.
The guided tour starts in the office and production building behind the garden. You will go through each step of the process, taste a few wines there, and get back to the restaurant for the full tasting experience of 3 or 4 wines (depending on your package).
Wine lovers can appreciate the range of products, from sparkling to port, which is, by the way, really smooth and delicious!
Even without a tour, you can still come, have a meal, and order tasting glasses of their award-winning wines (and as many as you want).
Sababay Packages start from 180,000 IDR (18 AUD), making it the most affordable winery tour and tasting experience in Bali.
Where Is It? Jalan Professor Doktor Ida Bagus Mantra No.333X Keramas, Medahan, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80581, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
2. Isola Wine Tasting (Cantine Balita Winery)
Lesser lesser-known brand of the local wines from Buleleng, Northern Bali that creates not just classic wines like Syrah or Muscat, but also raw wines – delicious wines that are 100% vegan and unfiltered.
Following Sicilian winemaking traditions and using local grapes, the Isola team started making wine in 2012, securing a spot within the growing wine industry in Bali.
To do a little wine tasting with a view, you have to book in advance. If you’re lucky, the winemaker himself will be your knowledgeable guide for the day!
However, as it is a long ride, sometimes they organise pop-up events for music and wine lovers in different parts of Bali, so keep an eye.
To buy wine, you can contact them directly. They work with both restaurants and private buyers. We got a box of their wines to try, and it was quickly shared at gatherings and holidays.
Where Is It? Tajun, Kubutambahan, Buleleng Regency, Bali 81172, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
3. Hatten Wines
Hatten Wines is one, if not the, oldest winery in Bali with an array of award-winning wines made from both local and international grape varieties.
Since 1994, the team of Australian and Indonesian winemakers has tested and polished a product range of 10 wines, including sparkling wine, white, red, rosé, and their very own lovely Pino de Bali aged in oak.
Guests can visit their brand wine cellar – The Celladoor, just for tasting and shopping, and vineyards in Sanggalangit village (upon request) for tasting and a guided tour.
At The Celladoor, you can opt for just wine or for wine with cheese pairings. Prices are around 200,000 to 280,000 IDR (20 to 28 AUD) per person and include 5-6 different Hatten wines to try.
Where Is It? The Cellardoor, Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.393, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
4. Two Islands Wine Tasting
The Celladoor also houses Two Islands wines. Two Islands is another brand started by the founder of Hatten Wines, using South Australian grapes to make wine in the Sanur winery.
Today, Two Islands has become an international wine and the most popular wine brand in Bali. You can find it at any liquor store, supermarket, or restaurant.
Guests love Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Reserve range.
Where Is It? Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.393, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
5. Wine Tasting @ Belle Wine Bar, Ubud
A modern wine bar in the centre of Ubud that offers wine connoisseurs the opportunity to sip wines without making it a day trip.
At Belle, you can try not only local wines like Sababay, but also savour international wines from the USA, France, South Africa, Italy, Australia, Chile, and other world-class wine countries.
You can pick whichever you want: white or red wines, and order some snacks, too, like a cheese platter or locally made chocolate.
A set of 4 different tasting glasses is about 295,000 IDR before tax (roughly 30 AUD), while individual glasses are from 100,000 IDR to 185,000 IDR (10 to 18 AUD).
Where Is It? Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
6. Wine Tasting @ Bacari Wine Bar, Ubud
If not for the wine tasting itself, this bar is worth visiting to see the unique system they use to serve wine without opening the bottle! How? Well, visit Bacari to experience the Coravin system yourself!
The wine book stretches from classic flavour profiles to more creative international wines, with a total of 40+ bottles from young wines to bottles from 2016!
This is the perfect place to relax, learn more about international grape varieties, tasting or pairing techniques, tips for drinking wine, and simply sip on high-quality wines.
Where Is It? Jl. Goutama No.15, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
7. Wine Tasting @ Hidden Gem Uluwatu
At the Hidden Gem restaurant and wine lounge, you can explore more than 50 wines from all over the world available by glass or bottle, carefully curated by an internationally certified sommelier.
Wines from Europe, New Zealand, Canada, and other corners of the globe pair beautifully with fine-dining menus and multi-course romantic dining experiences.
Money-wise, this is the most premium option on the list, with a glass of wine costing from 250,000 IDR (25 AUD) up to 1,100,000 IDR (110 AUD) before tax.
Wine tasting of 3 wines will cost between 400,000 and 550,000 IDR (40-55 AUD), depending on the quality level you go with (premium or super premium). Tasting flights can include from 3 to 12 wines.
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait Jl. Puncak Sekapa II No.Gang, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
FAQs
Why Is Wine So Expensive In Bali?
Imported wine and alcohol are, in general, more expensive in Bali due to high import taxes. Tax calculations are complex, but end up adding anywhere from 5 to 150% to the cost.
You can buy local wine for about 200,000 – 300,000 IDR (20-30 AUD).
Can You Get Australian Wine In Bali?
Absolutely. Try Two Islands – this is a popular wine brand produced in Bali using Australian grapes from Southern regions.
If you’re looking for wines grown and produced in Australia, liquor stores and bars will have them, too. Mollydooker, Penfolds, Australian Moët & Chandon, Wolf Blass, and other affordable and premium bottles.
Is Wine Okay To Drink In Bali?
Yes, as long as you go to a known bar or accept a glass of wine from a sealed bottle, it is okay to drink wine in Bali.
While alcohol poisoning does happen in Southeast Asia, it is not that common in Bali, and even less related to wine.
Final Thoughts On Wine Tasting, Bali
You don’t have to be a seasoned wine connoisseur to enjoy wine tastings in Bali. You can do it at the comfort of a nice restaurant, pairing wine with food, or by visiting one of the iconic Bali wineries.
So pick a day (and a date to go with!) and have fun tasting Bali-made and international wines.
