6 Wine Tastings in South Korea to Plan a Trip Around

1.4-Hours Hiking and Tasting Rice Wine in the Mountain of Busan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $55Our pick

Meet your guide at Oncheonjang Station for a 4-hour mountain outing on Geumjeongsan. After a bus ride and an 8 to 9 km hike, you’ll eat a simple village lunch, taste local makgeolli, and learn about Busan from guides such as Jun, Junwoo, HugYou, or Duyeol. The small group size keeps the pace friendly and personal.

“Hiking with our guide Junwoo is amazing! He is knowledgeable and have a pretty great sense of humour throughout the tour. The lunch towards the end of the tour (Makgeolli, seafood pancake, and noodles) was very delicious.”

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2.Hiking and Tasting Rice Wine in the Hidden Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 74 reviews · 4h 30m · from $50

Join Hug You and his local friends for a small-group hike on Geumjeongsan, near Busan. You’ll walk 8 to 9 kilometers through mountain trails, visit scenic viewpoints and old fortress areas, then eat local dishes and drink makgeolli in a mountain village. The English and Korean tour lasts about 4.5 hours and suits active visitors who want nature, conversation, and a less touristic side of Busan.

“If there was 10 stars this tour would get it. A great hike - no rush with beautiful scenery. Starts off going through East gate of a fortress wall and ends with a delicious lunch with makgeolli. Guided by a super friendly guide who relates well with all. Great day out in Busan.”

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3.Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier – Finest Makgeolli (& Soju)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $40

Meet sommelier Jay and certified brewer Sam at Sool Society in Seoul’s Hapjeong station mall. Over 80 minutes, taste rare makgeolli from small Korean producers, learn how rice wine is made, and hear its cultural story in an intimate group of up to 10 adults.

“What an enlightening experience! I've drank Makoli before but never knew how it was made or it's history. I was able to taste makoli not normally seen around town, from brewers in small local towns.”

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4.Wine & Korean BBQ, Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2h 30m · from $49

Meet your English- or Korean-speaking guide at Sinchon Station Exit 6, take a short walk through the neighborhood, then enjoy Korean-style meat dishes paired with wine. You’ll learn basic wine tasting, Korean drinking manners, and food-pairing tips during a 150-minute private-group dinner. Taser may host, depending on availability.

“This was such a nice experience! I booked it as a surprise for my mum who is visiting me in Korea. I thought we might need some conversation with others by this point in the trip… I can’t recommend this enough. There was only us and one other person on our tour. Taser was a very good host who knew a lot about the area, Sinchon and about wine. But he was also very thoughtful, and interesting and great to talk to. As was the other guest on the tour which made for a great few hours enjoying lovely food and wine, and great company. It really was something different…”

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5.Make your own Makgeolli (Rice Wine) in Busan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $35Best value

At a small brewery near Gwangalli Beach, brewer Michelle guides you through Korean alcohol, tasting, and makgeolli making in English. You will process rice, add Korean fermentation enzymes, and take home a batch to continue brewing for a week, or a ready-made bottle if you are traveling.

“Couldn’t recommend this class more. Michelle is friendly and knowledgeable and helps you understand the makgeolli brewing process in more detail in addition to tasting a broad spectrum of makgeolli’s. Plus she even gave us a couple recommendations of other places to visit around Busan which were great! 10 out of 10!”

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6.Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier – Finest Makgeolli (& Soju)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 20m · from $44

Meet Jay, a Korean liquor sommelier, and Sam, a certified brewer, for an 80-minute tasting of at least five Korean rice wines and spirits. You’ll sample hard-to-find makgeolli from across Korea, learn how it is made, and compare flavors in a small group of up to 10 people.

“Do yourself a favor and book this experience! Sam was exceptional at walking us through the process of creating Makgeoli. The way he presented the different types of flavours over the course of the experience was nothing short of a masterclass.”

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