Reviewed · WINE TOURS

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery

5.0 · 11 reviews 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) From $36 Operated by Knez Lipovac Excursions Boka Bay · Bookable on Viator
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Wine country gets better with a little mountain drama. At Lipovac Winery, you get a guided look at Montenegrin vineyards, production rooms, and an underground cellar, followed by four wines and local snacks. I like the small private format, since only your group takes part, and I like the mix of wine, architecture, and mountain scenery. The main point to consider is the remote setting: the approach can feel like a mountain drive, so this is not the easiest stop if you want a quick tasting beside a city center.

The advertised price is $36.12 per person for about 90 minutes, which is fair if you value the guided tour as much as the glasses in front of you. You may also taste more than the four listed wines, depending on the host and the day. Hosts named in visitor accounts include Tom, Andre, Inver, Artiom, and Kiril, with Tom especially praised for his warm welcome and relaxed manner.

Key points to know before you go

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - Key points to know before you go

  • The cellar is underground: Lipovac has a man-made cellar 60 meters long and 10 meters below ground, lined with barriques and bottles.
  • You see unusual wine vessels: A Georgian clay qvevri sits in the ground, alongside Italian terracotta amphoras.
  • The tasting pairs wine with Montenegro: Expect prosciutto, Montenegrin cheese, and olives, with the cheese receiving especially strong praise.
  • The setting is remote and scenic: Mountain views are a major part of the appeal, though the drive may feel narrow or adventurous.
  • The wine lineup has range: Four wines are promised, while some visits have included eight wines. Concept, Tammus, and the white wine receive particular praise.
  • The tour is private: Your own group participates, and the activity begins and ends at Winery Lipovac in Građani, Montenegro.

Reaching Lipovac from Podgorica

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - Reaching Lipovac from Podgorica

Lipovac Winery is listed in Građani, Montenegro, outside Podgorica. The setting is part of the appeal. You are not simply walking into a tasting room on a busy downtown street. You are heading toward a winery surrounded by mountain views and open countryside.

The drive deserves a little thought before you book. One account calls the mountain approach scary, though in a good-adventure sort of way. Since no transfer details are provided, you should plan how you will reach the meeting point yourself and avoid assuming that transportation from Podgorica is included.

The exact meeting point is Winery Lipovac, Građani 81250, Montenegro. The activity ends back there, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location. Allow extra time to find the property if you are driving, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.

I would also book ahead rather than wait until the day before. This activity is booked an average of 19 days in advance, a useful clue that popular dates may fill early. The private setup is a benefit for couples, families, and small groups, but it also means there are fewer places available than at a large public tasting.

A 90-minute visit with more than four glasses

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - A 90-minute visit with more than four glasses

The scheduled visit lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to give the winery a proper look without taking up half your day. The order may vary, but the planned visit includes the vineyards, production area, cellar, wine vessels, and tasting table.

This matters because the tour is not only about sampling. You get a short introduction to how the winery operates and how its wines are made. If you are new to wine, that extra context can help you understand what you are tasting. If you already know wine, the cellar and qvevri add something more unusual than a standard flight at a restaurant.

The private format should make it easier to ask questions or spend more time on the wines you prefer. You are not being moved through a large group at a fixed pace. The tradeoff is that the host-led nature of the visit means your enjoyment may depend on the guide assigned that day.

Several hosts receive warm praise for being attentive and friendly. Tom is described as social and welcoming, with his dog Patrik sometimes adding to the relaxed mood. Inver is praised as a caring host, while Artiom and Kiril are singled out for making first-time tasters feel comfortable. These personal touches seem to be a real part of the visit, not just decoration around the wine.

Walking through Lipovac’s vineyards

The first part of the visit takes you through the Lipovac vineyards and introduces autochthonous grape varieties of Montenegro. The word matters here. You are not being shown only familiar international grapes. The tour gives attention to varieties connected to Montenegro and its own wine identity.

I like this focus because local wine is one of the easiest ways to understand a place. Montenegro is often associated with its coast, mountains, and old towns, but its wine culture adds another layer. A tasting based on local grapes gives you something you are unlikely to find in the same form at home.

The vineyard visit is also a chance to see the setting before heading indoors. Accounts describe beautiful surroundings and views over a mountain valley. Outdoor seating may be available, and one group enjoyed a relaxed tasting outside for a Mother’s Day celebration.

Do not expect a formal agricultural lecture based on the information provided. The tour promises sightseeing and a guided look at the vines, then shifts toward production and tasting. If you want a long walk through rows of grapes, this may feel brief. If you want a clear introduction to the winery without a strenuous hike, the format should suit you well.

Inside the high-tech bottling hall

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - Inside the high-tech bottling hall

The technological hall offers a sharp contrast to the traditional items later in the tour. Here you see professional, high-tech bottling lines used to prepare wine for sale. It is a useful reminder that small or scenic wineries still rely on precise modern equipment.

For me, this is one of the better parts of the visit because it connects the finished bottle to the work behind it. A tasting can sometimes make wine seem like a simple farm product. Seeing the bottling equipment shows the care, machinery, and organization required before a bottle reaches a table.

The hall also gives the tour a practical edge. You are not only hearing a polished story about wine. You are looking at the place where the product is handled and prepared. The description does not promise that every machine will be running during your visit, so treat this as a guided viewing of the facility rather than a working demonstration.

Going 10 meters below ground

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - Going 10 meters below ground

Lipovac’s cellar is a major feature. It is entirely man-made, 60 meters long, and 10 meters underground. Inside are numerous barriques and bottles, giving the tour a strong sense of place and a closer look at how wine is stored.

A cellar like this changes the pace of the visit. After the open vineyard and bright bottling hall, the underground space should feel cooler, quieter, and more atmospheric. You get to see the vessels holding the wine rather than only the final bottles arranged for tasting.

The barrel aging area is particularly useful for understanding why wines can taste different from young, fresh releases. The provided details do not specify how long individual wines age or which barrels hold which labels, so you should not expect a technical lesson on every vintage. Still, the cellar gives you a physical connection to the process.

The depth and length also make this more than a quick storage-room stop. The 60-meter measurement suggests a substantial space, and the underground construction is one of Lipovac’s distinctive features. If you enjoy places with unusual architecture, this may be as memorable as the tasting itself.

Qvevri, amphoras, and old wine methods

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - Qvevri, amphoras, and old wine methods

The winery includes a Georgian clay qvevri placed directly in the ground. It also has Italian terracotta amphoras. These vessels add an international touch to a Montenegrin wine visit, while showing that winemaking does not depend on stainless steel and wooden barrels alone.

A qvevri is a large clay vessel traditionally buried in the ground for winemaking and storage. The tour description does not promise a demonstration of qvevri production, so I would treat this as a chance to see the vessel and hear how it fits into the Lipovac approach.

The Italian amphoras offer a similar point of comparison. You can look at different wine-making traditions side by side: modern bottling lines, wooden barriques, buried Georgian clay, and terracotta from Italy. That mix gives the visit more substance than a simple pour-and-sip session.

Lipovac also presents its own Idea, Harmonia, Concept, and Model. These names appear to describe the winery’s guiding approach and product identity, though the supplied details do not spell out every part. Your guide can explain how these ideas relate to the wines, so this is a good place to ask direct questions.

Four wines, local cheese, and a flexible tasting

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - Four wines, local cheese, and a flexible tasting

The planned tasting includes four wines. It comes with a cold-cut plate featuring prosciutto, Montenegrin cheese, and olives. That pairing is simple, local, and well suited to a short tasting.

The cheese deserves special attention. One couple considered it one of the best parts of the visit, and several accounts praise the snacks. The plate is not described as a full meal, so plan accordingly. It should take the edge off hunger, but it is not a substitute for lunch or dinner.

The wine selection appears to offer variety rather than one narrow style. Concept, especially the red, is a favorite for one couple. Another taster’s personal pick is the Tammus red. A separate couple preferred one of the white wines and bought a bottle afterward.

Some visits have included all eight wines from the vineyard rather than only four. That may depend on the host, the tasting plan, or the day, so you should regard four as the firm expectation and anything beyond that as a possible bonus. If you are driving, keep the tasting sensible. The fact that one account says the group finished eight wines is not a reason to copy that pace behind the wheel.

The tasting appears friendly rather than formal. You may sit outside in the vineyard setting, depending on the conditions and arrangement. The information does not promise a particular vintage, food upgrade, bottle discount, or meal menu, so do not book expecting those extras.

What the guides add to the visit

Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery - What the guides add to the visit

The hosts are a key reason this activity earns such strong praise. Tom is described as a social manager who helped create a relaxed visit, with Patrik the dog nearby. Andre is mentioned for exceptional service, and Inver receives praise for being attentive and caring.

Artiom made a first wine tasting comfortable for a Lithuanian couple, while Kiril is described as friendly and professional. These details matter if you are unsure about wine. A good host can explain the basics without making you feel as if you need a vocabulary test before taking a sip.

The tour is offered in English. The exact guide is not guaranteed, so I would not book solely to meet one named host. Still, the repeated attention to hospitality suggests that the human side of the visit is one of its strongest features.

You also learn the winery’s Idea, Harmonia, Concept, and Model. Since those terms may not be obvious without explanation, ask your guide to connect them to the wines in your glass. The best version of this tour will make the names feel useful rather than like brand language.

Is $36.12 good value?

At $36.12 per person, the price is reasonable for a private 90-minute visit that includes a guided winery tour, cellar access, and wine with snacks. You are paying for more than four pours. The price also covers the host’s time, the private format, the unusual cellar, and access to production areas.

The value improves if you care about the setting and the behind-the-scenes parts. A basic tasting with four wines might cost less elsewhere, but it would not necessarily include a 60-meter underground cellar, bottling hall, qvevri, amphoras, and a vineyard tour.

The value is less clear if you only want to drink wine and leave quickly. Lipovac is reached in a remote mountain setting, and the trip requires getting to Građani. If you are already near Podgorica and want a short city activity, this is not the most convenient choice.

I would also budget for possible bottle purchases only if you want them. One couple bought a white wine after tasting it, but purchasing wine is not listed as part of the price. The snacks are included, and admission to the tour is included, but no larger meal is promised.

Who should book this winery visit?

I think this suits couples and small groups who want a personal wine stop with scenery and a little variety. It is also a good first tasting for someone who does not know much about wine, since the private host can explain the process and guide you through the glasses.

It works well for people interested in local products and production methods. The Montenegrin grapes, local cheese, underground cellar, Georgian qvevri, Italian amphoras, and modern bottling lines give you several talking points beyond the label.

Families can take part if everyone in the group can participate in the activity, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, child pricing, or detailed mobility information, so ask the provider directly if those points affect your plans.

I would be more cautious if you dislike winding mountain roads, want a full meal, or expect a long vineyard walk. I would also avoid making this your only plan if you need a rigid schedule, since private, host-led visits can have a more relaxed rhythm than a timed museum entry.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and begins and ends at Winery Lipovac in Građani.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or make changes during that period, and you will not receive a refund. Keep the local cut-off time in mind if you are booking from another country.

Should you book Lipovac Winery?

Book it if you want Montenegrin wine, mountain views, and a real look behind the bottle. The combination of local grapes, a long underground cellar, qvevri, amphoras, and an included snack plate makes the $36.12 price sensible for many visitors.

I would choose it over a quick urban tasting if you have the time and a reliable way to reach Građani. Go with curiosity, not a strict promise of a full meal or exactly eight wines. For a scenic, private introduction to Lipovac and its wines, this is a strong pick, with the remote drive as the one clear tradeoff.

FAQ

Where does the Lipovac Winery tasting take place?

The meeting point is Winery Lipovac, Građani 81250, Montenegro. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the private wine tasting last?

The scheduled duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $36.12 per person.

How many wines are included?

The planned tasting includes four wines. Some visits have included eight wines, but four is the stated tasting selection.

What food is served with the wine?

The included snacks are a cold-cut selection with prosciutto, Montenegrin cheese, and olives.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

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