Savina
Živjeli! Montenegro's wine story usually points inland, to the vast plains of Ćemovsko Polje or the villages around Lake Skadar. Savina Winery tells a different version, from a two-hectare terrace overlooking one of the most photographed bays in Europe.
Savina Cabernet Sauvignon
13.5% ABVThe estate's winemaking heritage traces back to 1753, when Venetian land registries recorded it as Villa di Meljine — proof that this stretch of coast near Herceg Novi has been producing wine since well before Montenegro existed in its modern form. The winery only transitioned to commercial production in 2014, keeping the operation deliberately small.
At roughly 20,000 bottles a year from just two hectares, Savina is Montenegro's coastal counterpart to the country's Vranac-dominated interior — planting international varieties suited to its Mediterranean microclimate on the Bay of Kotor. Let's take a look at the view.
From Villa di Meljine to Castel Savina: The History of Savina Winery
Savina Winery's documented history stretches back to 1753, when old Venetian land registries recorded the estate as Villa di Meljine — a name that ties this stretch of Herceg Novi coastline directly to the Venetian maritime republic's long presence along the Bay of Kotor.
For most of the centuries since, winemaking here remained a private, small-scale pursuit rather than a commercial enterprise. That changed in 2014, when the family behind the estate — now trading as Castel Savina — began bottling and selling their wine commercially, while deliberately keeping production boutique in scale.
Today the estate farms just two hectares directly above the bay, producing around 20,000 bottles a year — a genuinely small operation by any standard, and a striking contrast to the vast, flat vineyard plains that define most of Montenegro's wine industry further inland.
The Taste: Mediterranean Varieties on a Coastal Microclimate
Rather than leaning on Montenegro's signature Vranac and Krstač, Savina has built its small range around international grapes suited to its coastal setting:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: The estate's structured red, showing dark cherry fruit softened by the Mediterranean, sea-influenced climate.
- Grenache: A warm-climate red variety well suited to the coastal heat and limestone-influenced soil.
- Chardonnay and Merlot: Rounding out a small, internationally-minded range built for the specific conditions of the Bay of Kotor.
More Than Wine: Savina's Place on the Bay of Kotor
- A 270-year documented history: Few Montenegrin wineries can point to a specific 18th-century Venetian land record naming their exact site.
- Montenegro's coastal counterpoint: While most of the country's wine industry centres on the Podgorica plain, Savina represents the smaller, Mediterranean-influenced coastal tradition.
- A genuine boutique operation: At 20,000 bottles from two hectares, Savina sits at the opposite end of the scale from giants like Plantaže.
Perfect Pairings: Enjoying Savina Wines with Coastal Food
The estate's Mediterranean-leaning wines suit the Bay of Kotor's seafood-forward table:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Pairs well with grilled lamb or richer Montenegrin coastal dishes.
- Chardonnay: A natural match for fresh seafood and shellfish straight from the bay.
Finding Savina Wines
- At the source: Private tours and tastings are available by reservation — check castelsavina.me before visiting.
- Across Montenegro: Given the small production, expect to find Savina mainly at coastal restaurants around Herceg Novi, Kotor, and Budva.
- Internationally: Limited quantities occasionally reach specialty importers focused on rare coastal Balkan wines.
Živjeli uz Savina! To 270 years of wine on one of the most beautiful bays in Europe.