Some content was translated automatically. Show original
United States
I had a wonderful time at the winery. I instantly felt welcomed by the family and other volunteers! It felt like a big family and everyone was there to help contribute! There's such a wide variety of tasks and things to do on the farm. From harvesting grapes, hosting guests, herding sheep, hanging out with the kiddos, Jon and Sihana, and the list goes on. The area is gorgeous and you will be fully immersed in the Albanian culture!
about 1 month ago
Costa Rica
The winery is a place with a lot of local vibes, since I arrived I felt welcomed by the host family and also the other workers and volunteers of the winery, it feels really nice to have shared meals all together and some game nights! The work around the vineyard is really nice avoiding sunny hours, you will be able to learn about the process of how to make wine and raki! There are also nice spots near Shkoder and some rivers and canyons! I will recommend to go to the winery and enjoy the places around!
about 1 month ago
New Zealand
I had a really great time at the winery. From the beginning, Fatjon and his family made me feel very welcome and it didn't take long before I felt comfortable being part of their daily life. I'm really glad I chose the winery. It gave me a much more genuine experience of Albania and the area where they live and grew up in. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to experience rural life, work hard, meet good people and feel part of a family rather than just being a tourist. Such a beautiful place to be in with the sunset every night, the mountains and vineyard outfront.
about 2 months ago
Mexico
My experience at Kantina Maní was wonderful. During my stay, I helped with the grape harvest, farm maintenance, and animal care, especially the sheep, which was one of the parts I enjoyed most. Fatjon and his family were very kind to me and made me feel welcome from the start. I also really enjoyed living with volunteers from different countries and getting a close-up look at life on a family farm. It was a challenging experience, but I'm leaving with great memories, new friends, and a strong desire to continue learning about life in the countryside.
about 2 months ago
Czech Republic
I was staying at the winery farm for 15 days, it was my first solo trip and I had so much fun. We were picking the grapes from vineyards, pulling out the weeds, harvesting tobacco, milking sheep, babysitting, helping in the kitchen etc.
Food was delicious, and also one of my favourite parts of each day was eating together (everybody, volunteers and family).
I can say that i felt like a part of the family and that made my way back home so hard.
2 months ago
United Kingdom
Life changing experience for me. I originally planned to stay 2 weeks but I will end up staying around 2 months. Fatjon and Daniela are family and have treated me with fairness and respect. The food is great and we eat with the family. I love the kids Jon and Sihana too. The work has been hard graft while here. I've milked sheep, shepherded, done beekeping, harvesting, wine clearifying, rock smashing, construction, hosting, hospitality and a bunch of other stuff too. There's been lots of volunteers come through also and I've met some great people
2 months ago
Australia
Had a great time at the winery, would highly recommend to everyone. You get to experience Albanian culture and daily life on a winery.
3 months ago
El Salvador
If you want to discover Albanian culture and the winemaking process, the winery is a great place to visit. I had an excellent experience with Fatjion and his family, and I'm very grateful for their trust, kindness, and incredible hospitality. During my stay, I learned about winemaking from start to finish, while also discovering Albanian food, traditions, and daily life. The work can be challenging sometimes , but it's always interesting and hands-on. A big thank you to everyone at the winery and the team for an unforgettable experience!
9 days ago
Germany
I am really thankful for the experience I had at Kantina Mani. Living on the vineyard with Fatjon, Daniela and their family, you get a real taste of Albanian culture. The farm work was varied & physically challenging, plus kitchen help if needed. The place is beautiful, surrounded by mountains, a great escape from the city. The only issue was communication: the profile didn't quite match reality (now updated), and there was little room for open conversation, leading to an exchange that sadly felt quite insulting. Still, come with open eyes, there's a lot of potential here. Faleminderit!
about 1 month ago
Austria
I had a really good time at the winery!! It definitely is hard work but I enjoyed spending all day outside and helping wherever I was needed! Since it's not the case at every volunteering position, be aware that you will be working the full 6 hours a day and also helping in the kitchen afterwards. We always had dinner/breakfast with the whole family which was really nice. Also the kids are so cute!! All in all I had a good experience!
about 1 month ago
