Maltese Wine & Chocolate Pairing
Experience the delightful fusion of Maltese wines and artisan chocolates at this engaging tasting event. You’ll learn about local wine and chocolate production, guided through the nuances of pairing various chocolates, truffles, and pralines with Maltese wines. Savor a range of options, including sparkling rosé, and explore different vineyards while enjoying the diverse flavors. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to shop for unique gifts to take home.
Meridiana Wine Estate
Founded in 1985 by Mark Miceli-Farrugia, Meridiana Wine Estate began planting its first vines in 1994 on a 19-hectare site that was once a World War II airfield near Mdina. The winery, established in 1996, is set in a Maltese-style hacienda made of golden limestone. Meridiana produces white, red, and rosé varietals, with an annual production of around 140,000 bottles. Their first white wine, the Isis Chardonnay, has been available since 1996. Wine tastings are held on the estate’s terraces and can be booked directly with Meridiana.
Delicata
Delicata, Malta’s oldest family-run winery, was founded in 1907 by Eduardo Delicata. Initially, wines were sold in crude oil bottles to local shops during the pre-World War II era. Today, Delicata offers a wide range of wines in their own distinctive bottles, including varieties like Gran Cavalier, Maltese Falcon, and Victoria Heights. The Delicata Classic Wine Festival, held in Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens, is a must-visit event that celebrates Maltese wines. Delicata produces about 1.2 million bottles annually and collaborates with smaller grape producers, resulting in award-winning wines.
Marsovin
Marsovin’s cellars, carved from rock formations along the Grand Harbour in the 1600s, now house over 100,000 bottles and 220 oak barrels. The winery produces a variety of white, red, and rosé wines, including those made from unique Maltese grapes such as girgentina and ellew. Marsovin hosts an annual wine festival in Hastings Gardens, Valletta, where visitors can enjoy live music and Maltese cheeselets while tasting wines in commemorative glasses.
Ta’ Mena Gozo
Founded in 2002 by the Spiteri family, Ta’ Mena Estate has expanded from a small fruit and vegetable garden to a 25-hectare site with vineyards and other crops. They offer a range of wines, including the Ancient Gods series and those named after Mediterranean winds. Ta’ Mena wine tastings can be booked through their website, and depending on the season, you might have the chance to help with the harvest.
Maria Rosa Vineyards
Established in 2006 by Joseph Fenech, Maria Rosa Wine Estate produces around 20,000 bottles annually from three distinct grapes: cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and Nero d’Avola. Their wines include red, rosé, and white varieties under the Speranza label, and a reserve wine called Sirakuzan. The estate offers tours of its 4.2-hectare grounds, which also include olive trees for olive oil production.
Camilleri Vineyards
Founded in 1999, Camilleri Vineyards produces a diverse range of wines including viognier, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and vermentino. While they do not have a public tasting room, their wines are available at restaurants, wine bars, and shops across Malta.
Gozo Tal Massar
Tal Massar provides evening wine tastings and discussions in their gazebo near the vineyards, just outside the medieval village of L-Garb on Gozo. The winery produces a variety of reds, whites, and rosés under the labels Garb, Manzara, and Tanit. On-demand tours and tastings can be arranged.
The Montecristo Estate
Located near the airport in Luqa, The Montecristo Estate offers a range of wines including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay. The estate features various venues where their wines can be sampled.
Ta’ Betta
Situated south of Valletta and Mdina, Ta’ Betta winery benefits from slightly cooler temperatures. The harvest season begins in mid-August with chardonnay and ends in mid-September with cabernet sauvignon. Ta’ Betta offers its own tasting rooms where you can sample The Jean Parisot wine, known for its aromas of jackfruit, white fig, and vanilla.
