Samarkand Wine Route

Alexander the Great praised the 'sweet wines of Sogdiana' when he conquered...

Alexander the Great praised the 'sweet wines of Sogdiana' when he conquered Samarkand in 329 BC. Wine production continued through Islamic rule in hidden cellars. Today, Khovrenko Winery (founded 1868) carries on this ancient tradition against the backdrop of Registan Square.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

11 experiences 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan challenging 1 week

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Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
    🗺️

    Khovrenko Winery

    Founded in 1868, one of Central Asia's oldest continuously operating wineries. Russian merchant Dmitry Filatov established the winery using indigenous Uzbek grapes and European techniques. The underground cellars contain barrels over 150 years old.

    tour $
  2. 2
    🍷

    Bagizagan Wine Collective

    Small collective of family winemakers in the historic wine-growing village of Bagizagan, 20km from Samarkand. They cultivate terraced vineyards using ancient irrigation channels (karez) dating to the Sogdian period.

    tasting $
  3. 3
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    Registan Square Wine Market

    Historic wine merchant stalls in the shadow of the iconic Registan madrasas. Local vendors sell bottles from Uzbek wineries, including rare vintages and traditional fruit wines. A living connection to the Silk Road's wine trade.

    tour $
  4. 4
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    Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis Wine Garden

    Hidden wine garden near the sacred Shah-i-Zinda complex where Zoroastrian families maintained secret wine-making traditions during Islamic rule. Now a small museum and tasting room showcasing pre-Islamic wine culture.

    tour $$
  5. 5
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    Urgut Wine Villages Tour

    Day tour through mountain villages 50km from Samarkand where families grow indigenous grapes on terraced hillsides. Includes visits to 3-4 small producers and a traditional Uzbek plov lunch paired with local wines.

    tour $$
  6. 6
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    Samarkand Wine Factory Tour

    Large-scale Soviet-era winery modernized in recent years. Produces 5 million bottles annually, including the popular "Sogdiana" brand. Tour includes production facilities, bottling line, and tasting of their full range.

    tour $
  7. 7
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    Khovrenko Winery Historic Cellar

    Founded 1868, this legendary winery hides a secret cellar discovered in 1968 containing 1,500 preserved antique bottles. Tour the historic vaults and taste wines made from ancient Sogdian methods.

    tour $
  8. 8
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    Samarkand Wine Factory Heritage Tour

    Soviet-era industrial wine facility transformed into working museum. Witness massive oak casks, historic bottling lines, and taste fortified wines made in the Kagor tradition.

    tour $
  9. 9
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    Hovrenko Wine Museum

    Museum dedicated to Professor Mikhail Hovrenko, pioneering viticulturist who catalogued 300+ indigenous Uzbek grape varieties. Tasting library features wines from across Uzbekistan.

    education $
  10. 10
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    Bagizagan Organic Winery

    Family winery with 100+ years of history, now producing certified organic wines. Walk through century-old vineyards and taste wines made without chemicals, as the ancients did.

    tour $$
  11. 11
    ⛰️

    Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis Wine Walk

    Guided walk from ancient necropolis through historic wine districts. Visit small family producers making wine in backyard cellars, ending at Khovrenko for sunset tasting.

    adventure $

Plan the trip

Insider tip. Visit Registan Square at sunset, then walk to Khovrenko Winery for an evening tasting.

Getting there and around

Car required
No
Parking
Hotels handle parking. Taxis easier than driving.
Nearest airport
Samarkand International Airport (SKD) - 20 min to city
Drinking and driving
Walking tour of old city. Taxis for winery.
Other airports
  • Tashkent (TAS) - 4 hr by train, excellent service
Without a car
Taxis are cheap. Most sites walkable from center.

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Samarkand
Why there
All sites walkable or short taxi ride. Historic center is magical.
Booking tip
Spring and fall fill up. Book 2+ weeks ahead.
Nightly range
$30-150

Recommended stays

Budget
Guesthouses in old town - family-run, atmospheric
Luxury
Silk Road hotels - modern comfort with Silk Road decor
Mid-range
Boutique hotels near Registan - restored historic buildings
Vineyard stays
None available - stay in historic center

What it costs

Includes
Accommodation, transport, tastings, meals, site entry
Meals
$10-30 per day
Per person
$100-250
Ways to spend less
  • Uzbekistan is very affordable
  • Local restaurants are cheap and excellent
  • Haggle in bazaar but not at sites
  • High-speed train from Tashkent is worth the experience
Tasting fees
$5-15 at Khovrenko

Booking and timing

Lead time
Khovrenko 3-5 days. Sites day-of.
Closed days
Sites open daily. Winery may close Sunday.
Peak season
April-May and September-October peak season.
Best time of day
Registan at sunset. Sites early morning.
Group size
Small groups fine. Large groups book Khovrenko ahead.

Where to eat

Lunch
  • Bazaar food stalls - fresh bread, kebabs, samsa
  • Central Asian plov restaurants
Dinner
  • Rooftop restaurants near Registan
  • Platan Restaurant - excellent local cuisine
Winery restaurants
  • Khovrenko has a tasting room but limited food

If your time is short

Do not miss
If you only have one day
If it rains
Afrosiab museum or Khovrenko winery - both indoor
Skip if time is short

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't expect world-class wine - Soviet legacy is strong
  • Don't miss Registan at sunset - transformative
  • Don't skip Khovrenko - the history matters more than wine quality
  • Don't drink tap water - stick to bottled
  • Don't forget cash - cards not widely accepted

Worth stopping for

  • Registan: Sunset for golden tiles, blue hour for illumination
  • Shah-i-Zinda: Morning light through tilework patterns
  • Khovrenko: Soviet-era signage and barrel rooms
  • Bazaar: Early morning for produce colors and activity