One of Ohrid’s best afternoons comes with a view. At S&S Winery, you get a tour of the production space plus a guided tasting of multiple wines, liqueurs, and homemade spirits while the vineyard and lake stretch out around you.

What I like most is the clear, hands-on pace: you watch how things are made, then you taste the results. I also love the way the food is built around the winery output, with a big homemade platter and even a hot pepper dessert that’s fun to try.

There is one thing to consider: this is a structured tasting with a set lineup and a time limit (about 2.5 hours), so if you’re hoping for an unhurried, choose-your-own-flight experience, this format may feel a bit firm.

Key things to know before you go

• Breathtaking vineyard-and-lake setting that makes the tasting feel like an occasion, not a rushed stop
• Tasting lineup is broad: 2 whites, 3 reds, plus wine/cherry liqueur and homemade brandy
• Big food pairing included: goat and sheep cheese, dried meat, baked goods, appetizers, and a hot pepper dessert
• Homemade, domestic-production focus for many items on the table
• Small-tour feel with a cap of 50 people, and it runs in English

Why S&S Winery feels like a “yes” in Ohrid

Ohrid has plenty of ways to spend time, but a good wine tasting should do two jobs at once: teach you something and feed you well. This one does both, and the setting helps. In the reviews, people rave about the relaxing atmosphere and the views of the vineyard and the lake, and I can see why. Even before the first sip, you’re already in vacation mode.

I also like that the experience is more than a quick pouring session. You tour the production premises, learn the winery’s process and background, then taste what comes out of it. That makes your glass feel more connected to the place.

One more practical win: the tasting includes both food and wine. If you’re trying to build one strong activity instead of stringing together several minor ones, this fits the bill.

The 2.5-hour flow: what happens from start to finish

Plan on about 2 hours 30 minutes on-site, and expect it to feel like a smooth schedule rather than open-ended wandering. The day starts at the S&S Winery meeting point in Ohrid and ends back there, so you don’t have to coordinate transport afterward.

Here’s the basic rhythm you can expect:

• A tour and intro to the winery’s production process and history
• A guided tasting of multiple wines
• Liqueur and homemade brandy tastings
• A plated spread of local items that works as a pairing throughout

The order matters because your palate adjusts as you go from whites to reds and then into sweeter or spirit-forward tastings like the cherry/wine liqueur and homemade brandy. If you’re the type who usually skips “the last sips,” don’t. Those last parts are where the experience often clicks—especially with the hot pepper dessert.

Touring the production premises (and why that’s worth your time)

Most wine tastings only talk about flavor. This one also shows you the production premises and walks you through how the process works. That’s a big deal because it turns tasting from something you do with your mouth into something you do with your brain, too.

You’ll also get familiarization with the production process and the history of the winery. Even if you don’t consider yourself a wine person, the “how it’s made” part helps you understand why two wines with similar grape styles can still taste different. It also keeps the experience grounded and real, instead of feeling like a generic sales pitch.

From the reviews, the host Bosko is singled out as informative and gracious. That matters, because a good guide doesn’t just recite facts—they help you taste smarter. If Bosko is leading your session, you’ll likely get that extra layer of clarity and warmth people mention.

The tasting lineup: 2 white wines, 3 reds, and the liqueur + brandy round

The tasting menu is built around variety, and that’s one reason the experience earns a high recommendation rate. You’ll try:

• 2 white wines
• 3 red wines
• Wine and cherry liqueur
• Homemade brandy

That’s a lot for one sitting, but it’s also well-structured. Starting with whites helps you reset your palate, then reds bring more body and intensity. After the reds, moving into liqueurs and brandy shifts you into sweet and spirit territory, which can be fun if you like dessert-like flavors and warming finishes.

A practical tip: pace yourself. With multiple pours and a food platter coming in, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. Sip, taste the food, then go back to the next pour. You’ll get more enjoyment and you’ll actually notice differences between the wines instead of just feeling tipsy.

Food pairing matters here: goat and sheep cheeses, dried meat, baked goods, and hot pepper dessert

The included platter is one of the strongest reasons to book this tasting rather than doing a lighter “just drinks” experience. You’ll get:

• Platter of goat cheese and sheep’s cheese
• Dried meat
• Baked goods and appetizers
• Hot pepper dessert

Also, the experience explicitly notes that products like cheese and meats are homemade and come from domestic production. That means you’re not just eating a random tourist platter. The food is meant to connect to the winery’s own output and local ingredients.

The hot pepper dessert is the part most people will talk about later, simply because it sounds unusual at first. In practice, it’s a great pairing because sweet elements balance spice, and the winery’s liqueur offerings make the flavor shifts easier to enjoy.

If you’re sensitive to spice, don’t ignore this item—just decide ahead of time how adventurous you feel. Either way, it’s there for a reason: it adds a memorable final note to the meal.

Homemade and domestic-production focus: what that changes in your glass

One of the most useful details here is that many items on the table are homemade products from domestic production—including cheese, bacon, ham, and prosciutto. You might not taste “farm origin” in a literal way, but you will feel the difference when you’re eating something that isn’t generic.

Homemade food tends to have a more consistent character: it can be saltier, more pronounced, or more aromatic than mass-produced versions. That matters because wine isn’t just about your palate; it’s also about contrast. A bold cheese or cured meat can make even a subtle wine taste more distinct.

So if you’re the type who loves pairing, or you want a tasting where the food isn’t an afterthought, this experience is set up well. You’ll eat as you taste, and that helps you connect flavors instead of treating each pour as its own separate event.

Views, setting, and group size: how to enjoy it without stress

The reviews emphasize the relaxing setting and the views—especially the combination of vineyard and lake scenery. Even if you’re not a landscape fanatic, that kind of backdrop makes people slow down. It turns a tasting into an afternoon.

Group size is capped at 50 travelers, which is fairly large, but it should still feel manageable given the 2.5-hour time window. In a bigger crowd, the key is personal pacing: focus on your own order of tasting and don’t let the room pressure you into moving faster than you want.

Because the experience includes food and alcohol, you’ll enjoy it more if you plan your day around it. Go light on other heavy activities before or after. Also, since it’s near public transportation and you’ll end back at the meeting point, you can keep logistics simple.

If you’re going in cooler or windy weather, bring a layer. Vineyard settings can feel cooler than the town center, especially in the late day.

Price and value: is $39.65 worth it?

At $39.65 per person, you’re paying for a package: production tour, a guided tasting of 2 whites and 3 reds, plus wine and cherry liqueur and homemade brandy—together with a substantial food platter.

Here’s why that price can work:

• You’re not just buying drinks; you’re getting food that’s specifically included in the tasting flow.
• The menu includes multiple categories of alcohol (wine, liqueur, brandy), so the experience isn’t over after a few pours.
• The production premises tour adds educational value and makes the tasting feel connected to the winery itself.

The average booking window is about 15 days in advance, which suggests it’s popular enough to plan for. If you’re visiting at peak times, I’d treat it like a “book once, feel set” activity.

Who this experience fits best (and who might not love it)

This is a great choice if you:

• Want a structured tasting with plenty of variety rather than a quick sampler
• Like food pairing and want cheese/meat and baked items included
• Enjoy wine experiences where you learn the production side, not only the taste side
• Are traveling with friends who all want something to do that feels special but still relaxed

You might want to skip or adjust expectations if you:

• Prefer unguided tastings where you can pick exactly what you want, at your own pace
• Don’t drink alcohol or prefer very limited sips (the menu is fairly full and alcohol-forward)
• Have strict timing for later plans, since it’s about 2 hours 30 minutes plus the full tasting flow

If you’re unsure, the good news is that the overall recommendation rate is extremely strong, and the review highlights show consistent quality in both wine and hospitality.

Quick practical tips before you book

• Pick a day when you’re not rushing to catch another tour right after.
• Eat something earlier, but don’t go overstuffed—this platter is generous.
• If you’re sensitive to strong spirits, pace yourself during the brandy and liqueur rounds.
• Since it’s offered in English, you can expect the guidance and tasting notes to be delivered clearly for English speakers.

Should you book S&S Winery – Ohrid?

Yes, if you want one memorable stop that combines a real production tour, a broad tasting lineup, and a full homemade food platter in a scenic setting. The strongest signal from the experience is not just the wine—it’s the combination of thoughtful hospitality (with Bosko praised for being informative and gracious) and handmade food that makes the whole thing feel cohesive.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes checking the “food + drink + learning” boxes at once, this is a strong pick in Ohrid. Book it when you can, plan it as a centerpiece activity, and you’ll leave with more than just a buzz—you’ll leave with a better sense of what the winery is doing and why it tastes the way it does.

FAQ

Where does the S&S Winery tasting in Ohrid start?

It starts at S&S Winery – Ohrid, Ohrid, North Macedonia, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tasting experience?

The experience is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What drinks are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste 2 white wines and 3 red wines, plus wine and cherry liqueur, and homemade brandy.

What food is included?

The included platter includes goat cheese, sheep’s cheese, dried meat, baked goods, appetizers, and a hot pepper dessert.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, the experience uses a mobile ticket.

How many people are in each group?

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is confirmation provided after booking?

Yes, you’ll receive confirmation at the time of booking.

You Might Also Enjoy

Milos Island: Kostantakis Winery Wine Tasting ExperienceChampagne Area Small-Group Tour including a Top Champagne house & Family WineryToledo Full Day with Winery Visit, Tapas and Wine TastingPrivate Vineyard Bush Walk Tour in Waiheke Island