Khovrenko Winery Tasting Room

The Khovrenko winery in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, stands at 58 Makhmud Koshgari Street and combines a winemaking museum with a tasting room. The museum shows 19th-century grape-growing and winemaking tools, barrels, and labels from the Russian Empire, and a tasting follows the tour. It is named for the winemaker Mikhail Khovrenko and is the standard place to sample Samarkand wine, cognac and other drinks. Reviewers report walk-in tasting prices of about 200,000 to 300,000 UZS (roughly $17 to $25) per person for around ten drinks, and guided tours with hotel pickup are listed at roughly US$65 to US$100. Opening hours are not firmly published, so visitors should telephone (+998 66) 233 07 07 before going. The winery lies outside the pedestrian centre, so a taxi is the practical way to reach it, and it is an afternoon activity rather than a late-night venue. Visitors who plan to taste several wines should not drive and should arrange a taxi back. Bottles can be bought to take home within normal customs allowances.