Shamakhi Wine Tasting & Lunch on the Aghsu Pass
A private day for wine lovers: a tasting at Meysari, the first organic-certified winery in Azerbaijan, and lunch with mountain views. Choose the tasting, the lunch or both.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Tərxan Paşazadə / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
In the village of Meysari near Shamakhi, about two hours from Baku, is the first winery in Azerbaijan with an EU organic certificate (Ecocert). Its 200 hectares of vineyards grow 18 grape varieties without irrigation or pesticides; the vines were planted in 2014.
You walk through the vineyards, look into the bottling hall and the small museum, and then taste wines from Madrasa and Bayanshira — local grapes that are hard to find far from the Caucasus. Local cheese and olives are served with the tasting.
Then we drive up to the Aghsu pass for an unhurried lunch with a view of the valley: fresh salads, qutab, kebabs from the grill and tea. We book a table at one of the restaurants on the pass (Panorama, Çənlibel or Axırıncı Aşırım) a day ahead.
The winery is open Monday to Saturday; on Sundays the tasting is by arrangement only. In the booking form you can include the tasting and the lunch in the price, or pay for them on site.
Itinerary
- 09:30Hotel pick-up in Baku
- 11:30Shamakhi: photo stop
- 12:00Meysari winery: vineyards, bottling hall, museum and tasting
- 14:00Lunch on the Aghsu pass (14:00–15:00)
- 17:00Departure for Baku
- 19:00Drop-off at your hotel
Included
- Private comfortable car with driver
- Fuel and parking
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Baku
- Photo stops and a flexible route
- Wine tasting at Meysari with winery tour, winery guide and snacks (if ticked in the form)
- Lunch at a restaurant on the Aghsu pass, booked a day ahead (if ticked in the form)
Not included
- Tasting and lunch, if not included in the booking — paid on site
- Personal guide for the day (on request, +$80)
- Bottles bought at the winery and personal expenses
Other tours
Baku City Tour
Old City and Maiden Tower, Highland Park, Flame Towers, the Boulevard and Heydar Aliyev Center.
Questions & answers
Is the price per person or per car?
All prices are for the whole private car, not per person.
What is included in a private tour?
A private car with a professional driver, fuel and parking, and hotel pick-up and drop-off in Baku. Entrance tickets, meals and a guide are not included unless stated.
What time does the tour start?
This tour starts at 9:30. Tours of Baku, Absheron and Gobustan start at 9:00, tours to the regions at 8:00, the Shamakhi wine tour at 9:30. Pick-up from your hotel or address in Baku.
Can we book a guide?
Yes. A personal guide costs +$100 per tour, up to 10 hours — tick “I need a personal guide” in the booking form.
Are entrance tickets included?
Tickets are paid on site. In the booking form you can also include entrance tickets in the price (official prices for foreign visitors); our driver buys the tickets on site.
Do you have child seats?
Child seat — $10, please give the child's age when booking.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the pick-up time.