Lithuania

Lithuania - Country Overview (Wine Context)

• Location: Northern Europe, on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Russia (Kaliningrad).
• Capital: Vilnius.
• Area: 65,300 square kilometres (25,212 square miles).
• Population (2025 est.): About 2.8 million people.

Wine and Viticulture Statistics

• Wine climate: Cool continental climate with cold winters and short growing seasons.
• Grape viticulture: Very limited and largely experimental.
• Wine production: Minimal commercial grape wine production; fruit-based wines are more common.
• Typical grape varieties: Cold-hardy hybrids suited to northern climates.
• Mead (honey wine): Mead, known locally as midus, has deep historical roots in Lithuanian culture and remains one of the countrys most traditional fermented beverages.
• Industry notes: Lithuanias fermented beverage tradition is historically centred more on mead and fruit wines than grape viticulture.

Map of Lithuania

Maps

Wine in Lithuania

Lithuania is located in Northern Europe on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Due to its cool continental climate and relatively short growing season, traditional grape viticulture has historically been limited.

Modern wine production in Lithuania is small-scale and developing, with vineyards concentrated mainly in the southern and central regions where conditions are slightly milder. Growers rely on cold-hardy and hybrid grape varieties suited to northern climates, as classic Vitis vinifera grapes are more difficult to cultivate reliably.

In addition to grape wines, Lithuania has a notable tradition of fruit wines, made from apples, berries, and other locally grown produce. These wines range from dry to sweet styles and form an important part of the country's fermented beverage culture. Overall production remains modest and largely focused on domestic markets, with emphasis on adaptation to local climatic conditions and small-batch quality.