Capt. Caruana

Capt. Caruana is one of Valletta's long-established drinks merchants, with a history on the island that goes back to 1894. This page covers the South Street shop at 63 Triq In-Nofsinhar, in the heart of the capital, one of several locations run under the Captain Caruana and Ten Green Bottles names. It appears with the island's other wine merchants on VisitMalta.co.uk.

The business combines a walk-in shop with an online store described as a wines and spirits portal, so a UK visitor can browse before arriving and either collect in store or have an order delivered.

Wine, spirits and beer

Wine is the largest part of the catalogue, with hundreds of red wines, plus whites, rosés, sparkling wine and Champagne, and a notable fortified range covering port, Madeira, sherry and vermouth. Italy and France supply the biggest groups of bottles, followed by Malta, Australia, Chile, Spain and other countries, and Maltese wine has its own section, with makers such as Meridiana, Marsovin, Delicata and San Niklaw discussed on the site.

Prices are shown including VAT. Examples from the shop include Mandrarossa Frappato 75cl at €15.00, Pesquera Crianza 2019 at €22.99, Taittinger Brut Reserve 75cl at €62.30 and a 150cl Marchesi di Barolo Barolo di Barolo 2014 in a box at €122.66. In spirits there are whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Japan and America, along with gin, rum, tequila, vodka, amaro and brandy, such as Edinburgh Seaside Gin 70cl at €35.05.

Beer has its own page with 37 beers, with a special mention for the Maltese craft brewer Gallery, Kyoto Kizakura beers and Theresianer, alongside Cisk, Hopleaf and Blue Label from Farsons. A Cisk 33cl can is €1.25.

Cigars, tastings and events

The shop's name promises fine cigars, and events are part of its identity. The website sells tickets to whisky tastings and cigar evenings, such as a Nikka whisky tasting, a Glen Scotia whisky tasting, a Valentino Siesto cigars evening and a Vinyl and Cigars night. Ticket prices run from €35 to €40.

Events are listed under a dedicated Events menu on the website, with upcoming and past events shown separately, so check the current programme before you travel and confirm the venue for each one when you book. If you enjoy a good dram, the tastings are a relaxed way to learn about a distillery from people who know it.

Delivery, loyalty and ordering

Orders can be delivered free of charge across Malta and Gozo or collected from a shop at no cost, which is useful if you are staying in a rented apartment and want wine waiting for you. The online shop has a basket, checkout and customer account, and a page covering delivery and returns, payments and brands. A Christmas section and an offers page appear in the menu as well. The shop also runs a points scheme and promotions that have included offers on Irish whiskies.

Keep in mind that spirits and wine are heavy, so think about what you can take in your luggage when flying home. Our flights to Malta page covers getting here from the UK.

Visiting South Street and Valletta

South Street runs through the capital, so the shop fits easily into a day of sightseeing on foot. The Valletta guide covers the capital, while St John's Co-Cathedral, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Knights of Malta guide cover its main historic attractions. For harbour views, Adventure Cruises Malta runs boat trips, and AMIS City Spa is nearby if you want a break.

If you are planning a longer stay, look at hotels in Valletta and things to do in Malta. To ask about stock or an event, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Capt. Caruana.