Costa Rica winery: Wine tour & tasting with local guide

Summary

Golden Berry Liqueur & Wines at Costa Rica’s First Winery

Walk through Costa Rica’s only commercial vineyard with a local guide, taste fresh golden berries straight from the plant, learn how their unique liqueur is made, and sample four wines paired with local bites — an experience you’ll remember every time you see a bottle labeled “Costa Rica.”

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell — not just grapes, but something sharper, almost citrusy, floating in the air as we walked between rows of vines outside San José. Our guide, Andrés, waved us over to a patch of golden berries (he called them uchuva). He split one open for me right there. Tart, sweet, sticky on my fingers — I’d never tasted anything quite like it. He laughed when I tried to say “uchuva” back to him (I’m sure I butchered it), but he seemed happy I tried.

Inside the winery, the light was soft and cool compared to the sun outside. Andrés explained how this is the first and only commercial winery in Costa Rica — apparently all of Central America too. He talked about making wine here (not easy with this climate) and how they somehow managed to produce bottles that win awards abroad. The process for their Golden Rush liqueur sounded wild — they use those same golden berries from earlier. We got to taste it; honestly, it was like nothing I’ve had before. Kind of floral and tangy at once.

The wine tasting felt relaxed — no pressure or fancy talk. Four wines lined up: one from Costa Rica itself, plus bottles from Israel and California (the owner has vineyards in all three places). Each came with a little bite of cheese or fruit that actually made them taste different. Someone in our group asked about pairing rules and Andrés just shrugged: “Try what you like.” The whole thing felt easygoing, not stuffy at all.

I still think about that first sip of Golden Rush — there’s something about tasting something totally new while standing in a place you didn’t expect would have a vineyard at all. If you’re curious about wine in unexpected places, or just want an afternoon away from the usual Costa Rican coffee tours, this day trip is worth it. The drive back was quiet; maybe everyone else was thinking about those flavors too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine Tour and Tasting

• Visit commercial winery and golden berry plantation
• Tasting of 4 wines with pairing

Top questions

Is this wine tour in Costa Rica wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the winery tour is wheelchair accessible.

Are service animals allowed on the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the visit.

How many wines do you taste on this Costa Rica winery tour?

You’ll taste four wines from Costa Rica, Israel, and California.

Does the tour include tasting the golden berry liqueur?

Yes, you’ll try two tastings of their Golden Rush golden berry liqueur.

Is lunch included during the wine tasting experience?

No lunch is included; tastings are paired with small bites only.

Can pregnant travelers join this wine tour?

This experience isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers.

Do I need any special fitness level for this vineyard visit?

No special fitness level is required; it’s suitable for most people.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through both grape and golden berry plantations with explanations from a local expert, tastings of four wines from Costa Rica, Israel, and California (all owned by the same winemaker), plus two samples of their signature Golden Rush liqueur paired with local bites before heading back home.