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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 10 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Jane Foster

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.

Bire Winery

Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia

Looking along the vineyards of Posip grapes being grown in Cara, Korcula Island.

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.

Best for ages 18+

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Merga Victa Winery

Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia

Close up of bottles of wine from Merga Victa winery

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.

Best for ages 18+

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Stina Winery

Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia

The outside of Stina Winery with its wine cellar in Dalmatia near the Adriatic coast on the island Brac. Mediterranean award winning wines. Facade and mountains

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.

Best for ages 18+

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Korta Katarina Winery

Orebic, Dalmatia, Croatia

exterior view of Korta Katarina vineyard and main building

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.

Best for ages 18+

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Tomic Winery

Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia

The wine boutique Tomic is the tasting venue located in the renovated wine cellar of the family house in the old town centre of Jelsa on the island of Hvar.

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.

Best for ages 18+

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Wine-making in Dol

Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia

Wine-making in Dol

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

Best for ages 13+

Duration: 2 hours

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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

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.

When to do it

Most wineries are only open to visitors from April to October. Some vineyards have erratic opening hours, so it’s best to call first.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Korčula and Pelješac Wine Tasting - Day Trip from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

Korčula and Pelješac Wine Tasting - Day Trip from Dubrovnik
Lying on a small peninsula on the island of the same name, surrounded by the city walls and fortresses, Korčula is one of the most beautiful medieval cities on the Adriatic Coast. The town is also a supposed birthplace of Marco Polo, the famous explorer. Tour the charming streets and squares, with their Renaissance palaces and the magnificent St. Mark's Cathedral, named after the city’s patron saint.

Price: €59

Rating 4.27 / 5 [96 ratings]

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Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting

Dubrovnik

Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting
Most often you will read that Korčula is the city of Marco Polo. It is true, but it is also so much more! Korčula’s records of time date back to the Neolithic period. Legend says that fairy-tale Korčula was home to the beautiful Greek mythology hero, Kerkyra. It is even said to be named after her. These days Korčula presents a connection to nature and beautiful beaches, amongst them is also the “Croatian Santorini”. It shows thousands of years of culture, history, and tradition. Hundreds of years old oil groves, vineyards, and fruit and vegetable productions assure you that you will eat good and local in Korčula. Memories of the great Croatian singer Oliver Dragojević, who was born in Korčula, keep lovely dalmatian music and atmosphere on every step. While enjoying a glass of wine, of course.

Price: €64

Rating 4.46 / 5 [13 ratings]

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Hvar Wine and Olive oil Tasting Small Group Tour

Hvar

Hvar Wine and Olive oil Tasting Small Group Tour
Vineyards are all over the island of Hvar. Strong wind and sun are ideal conditions for producing the best quality wine. Plavac mali is the most indigenous grape in the Dalmatian region. Small-group wine tasting begins in Hvar town with a drive to the other side of the island to the island's most important wine region.

Price: €100

Rating 4.79 / 5 [43 ratings]

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Twice the Wine - Two wineries half day tour, with delicacies

Hvar

Twice the Wine - Two wineries half day tour, with delicacies
Our half-day tour will take you on a journey through centuries of vineyards of Hvar, with your expert local guide bringing the vines to life with the rich history of the Hvar wine story. This sublime half-day program visits the most outstanding wineries on the island. Just a short 25 minute drive from Hvar Town and we’re in wine country! After a tour of the Hvar vineyards, cellars and production facilities, you’ll be invited to participate in a wine tasting paired with local food delicacies.

Price: €125

Rating 4.69 / 5 [33 ratings]

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Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour

Hvar

Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour
We look at experience Hvar a little bit differently. We know that for a mind blowing experience you need to touch someone’s senses: tastes, smells, sounds and pictures – this all makes a vacation. In order to create something really special, you also need to touch someone’s heart. We like to call this effect Hvar in heart and that’s why we know that you don’t want to miss our wine tours. It’s not just about wines it’s a story that we would like to tell you in our own special way. So, you wake up, you breathe in the fresh Hvar air and you decide that in half a day, you would like to become “sommelier” of Hvar? Our half-day wine tour will take you on a journey through centuries of vineyards of Hvar, with your expert local guide bringing the wines to life and unraveling Hvar wine story. Ok, maybe we cannot promise you that you will become a sommelier but we can promise you that you will have a great wine experience.

Price: €130

Rating 4.72 / 5 [11 ratings]

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Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner

Hvar

Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner
Explore the Wineries of Hvar island and visit two of Croatia’s most esteemed winemakers on this full-day, small-group tour. Enjoy four to five wines at each winery. Once you've worked up an appetite, experience an authentic Dalmatian 2-course dinner in one of the rustic and charming villages. Menu: Fish dish: Dalmatian "Brujet" (stew) with Polenta or "Gregada" (stew) with Potatoes or Meat dish: Dalmatian "Pašticada" (stewed beef dish) with gnocchi Dessert: Daily desert Beverage: Local wine, water

Price: €250

Rating 5 / 5 [15 ratings]

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Dalmatian Islands

Dalmatia, Croatia

view of Korcula old town from the water

A magical, unspoilt archipelago of a thousand-plus islands stretching along Croatia’s southern coast. A heady mix of sea, mountains, adventure sports and medieval buildings