Latvian Wine Legislation – Official Wine Regions
Reference date: 3 August 2026.
Latvia joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and has no registered wine PDOs or PGIs. Wine production is small-scale and focuses on fruit and berry wines and cold-hardy hybrids.
Sources: Latvian Association of Winemakers, Baltic Viticulture Network, vinerra.com, 2026. PIWI = Pilzwiderstandsfähig (fungus-resistant).
1. EU Classification (Latvia has no registered wine PDO/PGI)
| Status | Designation | Description | Notes |
|---|
| No PDO | Protected Designation of Origin | No registered wines with a designation of origin | Latvia has not applied for or obtained any official wine PDOs from the EU |
| No PGI | Protected Geographical Indication | No registered regional wines | No formal application for PGI status has been submitted |
| No AOC | National classification | No domestic wine quality system | Wine production is governed by general EU food legislation |
2. Informal Wine Regions (no official protection)
| Wine region | Location | Characteristics |
|---|
| Sabile (Courland) | Western Latvia, Abava Valley | World’s northernmost open-air vineyard (Guinness World Record), 57° N, Zilga grapes, wine festival in July |
| Kurzeme (Western Latvia) | Baltic coast: Liepāja, Kuldīga, Talsi | Milder coastal climate, Zilga and Rondo red wines, apple and berry wines |
| Zemgale (Central-Western Latvia) | Around Tukums and Tērvete | Abavas Winery, Tērvetes Winery, fruit and grape wines |
| Vidzeme (Central Latvia) | Cēsis, Sigulda, Līgatne | Cooler climate, Solaris and Swenson White, Gauja National Park |
| Latgale (Eastern Latvia) | Daugavpils, lake district | Coldest winters, focus on mead and berry wine, Vējkalnietis Winery |
Total: approximately 20–50 ha of vineyards, 20–30 boutique wineries, annual production of 100,000–300,000 litres (mainly fruit and berry wine).
3. Types of Wine Production
| Wine type | Ingredients | Characteristics |
|---|
| Red grape wine | Zilga, Rondo, Hasansky Sladky | Light to medium-bodied, lively acidity, red fruit, low tannins |
| White grape wine | Solaris, Swenson White, Jubileum | Fresh, high acidity, citrus, floral and mineral notes |
| Rosé grape wine | Rondo, Zilga | Light, fruity and refreshing |
| Fruit wine | Apple, rhubarb, quince | Largest production category, ranging from sweet to dry, traditional |
| Berry wine | Blackcurrant, raspberry, gooseberry, sea buckthorn | Rich aromas, often medium-sweet, typically Baltic |
| Sparkling wine | Apple, hybrid grapes | Growing category; Abavas sparkling rhubarb wine is popular |
| Dessert wine | Late-harvest apples, berries, honey | Sweet and full-bodied, for special occasions |
| Mead (honey wine) | Honey with herbs | Ancient Baltic tradition, still popular, a Latgale speciality |
Fruit and berry wines dominate Latvian production. Grape wines form a small but growing segment thanks to cold-hardy hybrids.
4. Main Grape Varieties (cold-hardy hybrids)
| Grape variety | Type | Characteristics |
|---|
| Zilga | Red (hybrid) | Most widely planted grape, very cold-hardy down to −25°C, deep red, rich berry aromas, Latvia’s principal grape |
| Hasansky Sladky | Red (hybrid) | Sweet and aromatic, low tannins, bright acidity, light red wines |
| Rondo | Red (hybrid) | Deep colour, medium-bodied, spice and dark fruit, suitable for oak ageing |
| Regent | Red (hybrid) | Medium-bodied, spice and dark fruit, promising for Baltic climates |
| Supaga | White (hybrid) | Floral and citrus notes, gentle acidity, fresh white wines, aromatic |
| Solaris | White (PIWI) | Fungus-resistant, tropical fruit with spicy hints, early ripening, suitable for northern latitudes |
| Swenson White | White (hybrid) | American hybrid, dry and medium-sweet wines, suitable for the Vidzeme region |
| Jubileum | White (hybrid) | High acidity, refreshing, light wines |
| Guna | White (hybrid) | Bred in Latvia, delicate floral aromas, mineral character |
| Muscaris | White (PIWI) | Muscat-like, aromatic, suitable for dessert styles |
5. Main Wineries (selection)
| Winery | Location | Characteristics |
|---|
| Abavas Winery | Kurzeme (near Tukums) | Largest winery, apple and fruit wines, sparkling rhubarb wine, environmentally friendly, dragonfly logo |
| Mazburkas Vineyard | Kurzeme (A10 motorway) | Over 20 years of viticulture, 60 grape varieties, classic wines, sheep farming |
| Tērvetes Winery | Zemgale (Tērvete) | Family winery established in 2014, Austrian influences, grape and fruit wines |
| Kremon (Krimulda Manor) | Vidzeme (Sigulda) | Historic estate, dandelion and lilac wines, views over the Gauja Valley |
| Līgatne Winery | Vidzeme (Gauja National Park) | Over 20 types of wine, tastings in a sandstone cave, berry and flower wines |
| Aizputes Winery | Kurzeme (Aizpute) | Wine cellar in castle ruins, quince wine, gooseberry wine, historic atmosphere |
| Tēviņkalns | Zemgale (Zemite) | Medium-sweet sparkling raspberry wine, Daudzābols apple brandy, no added sugar |
| Vējkalnietis Winery | Latgale | Fruit wines and mead, focus on honey wines, traditional Latgalian style |
Sabile Wine Hill was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 1990 as the world’s northernmost open-air vineyard (57° N). An annual wine festival is held there.
