Travel bucket list idea:
Dalmatia, Croatia
Croatia has a long history of wine making, stretching back some 2,500 years, with many indigenous grape varieties still in use. (Croatia is also home to the oak forests that produce most of the oak casks favoured by wine producers across Europe).
Sprinkled throughout the islands are a number of excellent family-run vineyards open to the public during the summer. Tastings of the region’s truly excellent wines usually takes place in a stone cellar, where the wines are stored, often accompanied by platters of savoury nibbles.
If you’re lucky (and you often will be), the winemaker will be present to explain something about the winemaking process and the history of the vineyard.
Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience
Book in advance for tastings at this small producer of Grk wine (made from grapes only grown in the Lumbarda area of Korcula) and three other varieties. Tastings come with a smorgasbord of Croatian snacks.
Good for age: 18+
Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience
Located in the heart of Korcula island, Merga Victa’s vines are kept watered by natural freshwater ponds, which irrigate the terraced fields carved out of the rocky hillsides. Tastings must be booked in advance.
Good for age: 18+
Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience
The home of Croatia’s oldest wine co-operative, the Stina Winery has been in operation since the 1900’s and produces some of the region’s best Posip (white) and Plavac Mail (red). Daily tours and tastings at 5pm and 6pm, pre-booking not necessary.
Good for age: 18+
Orebic, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience
Part of the elegant, Relais & Chateau Villa Katerina estate, the vineyard produces a multi-award winning Posip (a crisp white wine) and full-bodied reds. Tastings must be booked in advance.
Good for age: 18+
Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience
Taste some of Hvar’s best wines in a cellar modelled on the ancient Roman dining rooms used by the Emperor Diocletian. Hvar’s top winemaker.
Good for age: 18+
Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience
This charming 2-hour tour in the village Dol on Brac, takes you to visit a 400-year-old castle and discover the secrets of a local family’s wine-making. There’s a small workshop, where you can taste rakija, kvasina and prosek and even try your hand at wine-making.
Adult price: £28
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 2 hours
As many of Croatia’s wineries are small, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and book a time for a tasting/tour – drop-ins don’t always get the best reception. It’s also worth asking if there are any tour groups on the same day/time – these are best avoided.
Some wineries, such as Stina in Bol, are in the heart of town, but most are out in the countryside – to visit them you will need a car.
There are ‘wine roads’ in several different regions, including Istria and Peljesac – for details visit the Croatia tourism website.
Most wineries are only open to visitors from April to October. Some vineyards have erratic opening hours, so it’s best to call first.
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