When I think of the Island of the Gods, wine isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. My focus is more drawn to the beaches, diving, surfing, and yoga which are some of the main attractions of Bali.
Local street food is huge on the island, and cocktails and Bintangs are generally the go-to alcoholic beverage.
Wine production in Bali dates back to the Dutch colonial days (who knew!) and there is still limited wine production in the country today.
With a growing demand for wine, Bali is adjusting to the trade and finding a way to provide top wines to the masses.
Finding Good Wine in Bali
It is possible to find good wine in Bali thanks to increased import quotas.
There are boutique wine stores, vineyards, and fine-dining restaurants that provide locals and foreigners alike with some top-notch vino from around the world.
Does Bali Have Good Wine?
The long and the short of it is yes – Bali does have good wine, but only if you know where to look for it.
There are a few wineries on the island (surprise, surprise) that produce wine of fairly decent quality and sell directly from their tasting rooms.
There are also a number of amazing fine-dining restaurants on the island where you can find yourself some pretty decent vino to delight the senses. You can get amazing food and wine to match, ranging from local Balinese cuisine to European cuisine and beyond.
What better way to compliment your stay on the beautiful island than amazing food paired with equally as amazing wine?
Is Wine Made in Bali?
This may come as a surprise to you, but there are active wineries in Bali!
The history of wine production dates back to the 18th Century when the Dutch planted the first vines in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. That later expanded to Besuki and Banyuwangi on the island of Java and finally, in 1994, Bali’s very first ever winery, Hatten Wines, was opened by local Balinese, Ida Bagus Rai Budarsa.
Since then, there have been a number of other wineries opened such as Plaga, Sababay, and Artisan Estate. Between them, they are actively producing both red and white wines as well as rosé, sparkling, and sweet wines.
Vineyards are predominantly planted in the Buleleng Regency, Gerogak, and Seririt. They are mainly comprised of two varietals – Alphonse-Lavallée used for rosé and red wines, and Probolinggo Biru for white wines. The latter of which being a part of the well-known Muscat d’Alexandria family.
How Much is a Bottle of Wine in Bali?
Right, now that we’ve gotten a bit of the nitty-gritty out of the way, let’s get down to business. I’m sure you’re dying to find out how much a bottle of wine in Bali costs.
It all depends on what you buy and where you buy it. A top-class bottle of imported French or Australian wine at a high-end restaurant is going to set you back big bucks.
At a local bottle store, you can expect to pay around IDR200.000 ($13) for a local bottle of wine from a winery like Hatten or Plaga. International wines will set you back a bit more, you can expect to pay upwards of IDR350.000 ($23).
In a high-end fine-dining restaurant, it’s a different story altogether. You could pay anywhere between IDR700.000 and IDR6 million ($45 – $400) a bottle!
Where to Buy Wine in Bali
I’ve found a few of the best places to buy wine in Bali. Take a look below!
Vin + Bali, located in Seminyak, is both a wine retail store and a wine bar. Not only can you grab your favorite wine to go, but you can also enjoy a drink in.
There’s more! The venue also serves lunch and dinner, as well as tapas! You can pop in for a quick glass and a snack when picking up your vino for the weekend – bliss!
You thought I was done? Well, to round off, they have a tasting every Saturday and Sunday with house pours and wines of the month.
Red & White is only Indonesia’s largest wine and spirits store – no big deal.
They’ve been in the game since 2014 and stock a whole host of wines and other spirits from around the world, so there’s never a shortage of something new and exciting. They have a few stores in Bali so you’ll never be too far away from your favorite bottle!
Bali Wine Store caters to all budgets and palettes, stocking both local and international wines of varying prices. This means that there’s always something for everyone.
You can expect local wines from Hatten and Plaga as well as some firm favorites from South Africa, Italy, France, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s really a one-stop-shop for all the oenophiles in Bali looking for their long-time favorite or a new and exciting bottle.
Go Drinks is really keeping up with the times and thinking ahead. They’re an online store with a wide range of wines on offer from around the world.
Their prices are super competitive and the best part is that they offer free delivery. You can browse and order your favorite wines online and have them delivered to your door within a matter of hours FOR FREE!
They also have some pretty epic specials every week which is even more incentive to use their platform! Welcome to 2023!
Last but not least, and one of my favorites because of its uniqueness, is Piccolina.
Piccolina has really taken the idea of a wine store and run with it. They offer amazing wines and haircuts to match. That’s right, they’re a bottle store meets a hair salon. Such a cool concept!
This is the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone – get a trim and sip on some vino with some mates or on your own. There’s always someone to chat with as it is a socialites paradise. Alternatively, you can simply pop past and pick up your favorite bottle to go.
Final Thoughts
Wine in Bali is slowly but surely becoming a force to be reckoned with. In years to come it’s going to be a thriving industry.
As more and more Western travelers and digital nomads start calling the island home, so too will the wine culture grow and expand. It’s already come along heaps and bounds, you can find some pretty epic wines on the island.
The wine production in Bali is still in its infant stages compared to other large wine-producing nations so it will take some time to catch up. The multiple harvests don’t do much in the line of wine quality, unfortunately, but the island of the Gods will continue to produce some rather quaffable wines for years to come.
Featured image: Red & White Bali Deli Seminyak
