The Costa Rica Wine Revolution. When you think of Costa Rica, your imagination likely leaps to misty jungles, turquoise surf breaks, and the ever-inviting rhythm of pura vida.
Coffee lovers know it for its world-class beans, and adventurers love its volcanoes and rainforests. But here’s a little-known secret: Costa Rica is beginning to bottle something beautifully unexpected—wine.
While it’s true that Costa Rica’s tropical climate isn’t ideal for large-scale wine production, a handful of visionary vintners are crafting unique wines high in the mountains, where the clouds roll like ocean waves and the soil hums with volcanic energy. Welcome to the world of Costa Rica’s boutique and experimental wineries, where altitude meets attitude and passion pours by the glass.
🌿 A Cloud-High Vineyard Renaissance
Costa Rica’s boutique wine scene is centered in the San José Province highlands, where elevations soar past 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) and cool, misty mornings mimic the conditions of classic wine regions.
It all began in Copey de Dota, a small town known more for coffee and apples—until one bold dreamer planted grapes and started a revolution.
🍇 Vinos Don Julian: The Original Pioneer
Tucked into the crisp elevations of Copey de Dota, Vinos Don Julian is the birthplace of Costa Rica’s wine movement. Founded by Don Julio Rojas, this was one of the first vineyards in the country to cultivate European varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay successfully. His vision? To prove that Costa Rica’s volcanic soils and mountain mists could produce wines with soul.
Against all odds, he succeeded—and today, Vinos Don Julian offers tours and tastings by reservation, giving visitors the rare chance to sip pioneering vintages right where they were grown.
🏞️ Copey Estate Winery: Elevation Meets Elegance
Just a few bends in the mountain road from Don Julian lies Copey Estate Winery, its more modern, internationally connected sibling. Here, tradition and innovation swirl together like wine in a glass. The vineyard produces cool-climate wines—including Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling apple brut—using techniques inspired by Old World vintners.
But Copey is more than a winery; it’s an immersive experience. Visitors can expect curated tastings paired with farm-to-table cuisine, sweeping views, and even encounters with cloud forest wildlife. It’s Costa Rican wine with a European twist—and the altitude to match.
🍷 Casa Dominga: A Culinary Affair in the City
Located in San Ramón de Tres Ríos, just outside San José, Casa Dominga isn’t just a winery—it’s a wine and dining destination. This boutique producer focuses on pairing handcrafted wines with gourmet meals, often served during private events or culinary experiences under the stars.
Expect small-production wines, live music, cultural performances, and a touch of elegance that makes you forget you’re still just 30 minutes from the city.
🍾 Bodega Calle Cimarrona: Grit and Guts in Zarcero
Northwest of San José in the scenic town of Zarcero, Bodega Calle Cimarrona is a bold, emerging project experimenting with hybrid grapes and unconventional methods suited to tropical highland winemaking.
Still in its early stages, this venture represents the adventurous heart of Costa Rican viticulture, where risk meets reward in every barrel. Tastings are occasional and usually arranged in advance, but if you manage to visit, you’ll be among the first to witness a vineyard rewriting the rules.
🍷 La Llave del Vino: Wine Education & Culture in Escazú
While not a winery, La Llave del Vino in upscale Escazú is a gourmand’s delight.
This wine bar and school offers guided tastings, sommelier-led classes, and curated flights from both Costa Rica and global vineyards.
It’s the perfect way to prep your palate before heading to the vineyards or to end the day with a refined toast.
🧺 The Costa Rica Wine Experience: Vineyard Life, Pura Vida Style
Visiting Costa Rica’s wineries is a far cry from the grand estates of Napa or Mendoza. Here, the vibe is warm, personal, and down-to-earth. You’re just as likely to sip your wine next to a wood-fired oven as in a tasting room. The winemaker’s dog is always on hand. And, the vintners often gather to tell stories of grape trials, fungus battles, and harvest-time miracles.
Because the wine is made in small batches—often fewer than 2,000 bottles per vintage—every glass feels like a secret shared.
🌄 Costa Rica Wine With a View (And Wildlife, Too)
One of the unexpected joys of Costa Rica’s wine country is its backdrop, cloud forests, volcanoes, eucalyptus groves, and apple orchards. Imagine sipping a cool glass of Chardonnay while watching hummingbirds dart among wild orchids or hearing toucans call in the distance. It’s sensory magic.
Places like Copey Estate and Casa Dominga even combine tastings with nature walks, culinary pairings, and cultural experiences.
This recognition is making wine tourism in Costa Rica a full-bodied adventure.
🍷 Costa Rica Wine: A Lifestyle Vintage in the Making
Costa Rica’s boutique wine scene is still young, fragile, and full of potential. The climate isn’t easy. The yields are low. The risk is high. But the reward? Pure magic. Every bottle tells the story of resilience, innovation, and a tropical country embracing something entirely new.
As interest in wine tourism grows, so too does the opportunity for travelers to engage with this delicious frontier. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious wanderer, Costa Rica offers a fresh and unforgettable way to sip the unexpected.
So next time you visit, carve out a day in the highlands. Reserve a tasting. Walk the vines. Breathe in the mist. And raise a glass to the brave, brilliant people crafting Costa Rica’s high-altitude wines. Because, in a land where pura vida reigns, even the grapes are learning to thrive.