The winery
Kantina Balaj
Small Albanian winery based in the Vlorë area, known for low-intervention wines and natural winemaking practices (spontaneous fermentations, unfiltered wines, declared no added sulfites).
- Vlorë (sud Albania) · Albania
- Since 2018
- 1 product
The story
The project linked to the Balaj name stems from the work of Artan Balaj, who, after viticultural experience in Italy, returned to the Vlorë area to start his own venture. In the early years he planted experimental parcels in the Risili area. According to some sources, the SEB/Balaj project was formally established in 2018; over time production has focused on both indigenous and international varieties of the region.
Production philosophy
Production of low-intervention wines: spontaneous fermentations, agricultural practices aimed at sustainability, often unfiltered wines and careful attention to avoiding the addition of sulfites, according to statements issued by the company and the platforms representing it.
Terroir and vineyards
Located in the Vlorë area, with vineyards noted in the Risili district near the Narta Lagoon. Soils are described as alluvial/sandy with pebbles, and reported vineyard elevations range from approximately 80 to 250 meters above sea level.
Characteristics
- Grape varieties
- Merlot
- Shesh i zi
- Shesh i bardhë
- Vlosh
- Syrah
- Caberlot
- Hectares
- 7.0
- Bottles per year
- 15000
What makes it distinctive
- Winery operating in the Vlorë area, with a focus on natural wines.
- Wines made by spontaneous fermentation and left unfiltered
- Vineyards in Risili, close to the Narta lagoon and the sea.
- List of labels that includes red wines, orange wines, and local selections
