Wineries & Wineries in Croatia

Believe it or not, Croatia is known for its wine. There are numerous winegrowers, wineries and winemakers in Croatia. Both along the coast as well as some excellent winegrowers in inland Croatia. A visit to a winery in Croatia is a must if you are a wine connoisseur, or if you are a multi-species Croatian wine want taste at the winery itself. It is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon of your holiday in Croatia!

Most winemakers offer wine tasting or tours of the wineries or vineyards, but in almost all cases pre-booking a time slot is recommended.

Winemakers in Croatia – Istria

Winery Kozlović, Buje

The history of this winery is very close to the Slovenian border. It dates back to 1904 when their vineyards were first established. Today they plant the Croatian varieties (grape varieties) Malvasia, Muscat Momiano, Muscat Rose and Teran. But also international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon en Merlot. Guided tours of the vineyards are possible. As well as tastings in their modern built (2012) winery with a terrace and a view of their vineyards.

Benazic Winery, Pula

From the vineyards with an area of ​​​​7 hectares, this winery produces the grapes Malvasia, Teran, yellow muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir and Pinot Blanc. With hours of sunshine and a mix of warm sea air and refreshing breezes from the nearby Ucka Mountains and temperature differences between day and night, their grapes are grown at high temperatures. sugars, suitable acids and strong aromatics. They also produce honey, mistletoe, grapes and herbal brandy - all worth trying! They have a modern and stylish tasting room where you can taste their wines (with accompanying eten), brandy and olive oil can taste, and their wine cellar – the only one in the Pula region – can also be visited. Advance booking is required for both.

Winery Meneghetti, Bale

Located just outside the charming town of Bale, the Meneghetti Winemaker processes its vineyards in an environmentally sustainable way. The land around the vineyards is rich in minerals, especially iron. This gives the Red wine produced on the winery are specific red color. This soil also absorbs the sea air. This winery is located just a few kilometers inland from the coast and the Mediterranean plants that grow in the area.

This winemaker offers an exclusive tasting package. It is also possible to participate in a tasting of olive oil† A tour of the vineyard and cellar is of course also available. This package costs approximately €50 and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

The Meneghetti winery is in fact also a hotel with rooms, suites and villas that are all bookable. This would be a great option for a weekend or longer! Holiday in Istria – relax in the beautiful countryside while enjoying the excellent Croatian wine and the eten tastes.

Wineries in Croatia – North and CentralDalmatia

Winemaker Rak, Šibenik

This winery produces Grandmothers– and Marastina wines (and an Opolo rosé wine from the dark Grandmothers-grapes). This is open daily for tastings and it taste of dishes made from local ingredients. They also have a few rooms if you prefer to take it easy after trying their fantastic wines!

Winemaker Putalj, Split

Located just outside of Split, but with a pick-up service from the city itself, this winery offers one of the top experiences for visitors to this region. The winery started producing a Zinfandel. Then a mix of Zinfandel en Plavac Mali for the next three years. After that, the Putalj Zinfandel, Putalj Plavac Mali and Putalj Rose introduced in 2013.

Tours of the Putalj winery take place in the mid, late afternoon or evening. This depends on the time of year. It includes a visit to the vineyard, the production area and the wine cellar† Everything is combined with tastings straight from the fermentation tanks, tastings of current vintages. At the winery Putalj they also make olive oil. This is also part of the tasting.

The tours are offered daily, but reservations are required. No walk-in is allowed. This is because tastings can be booked in advance.

Winemakers in Croatia – Islands

Winery Blato 1902, Blato, Island Korcula

The winery Blato 1902 is located on the island Korcula in the small place Blato. They make wine from real native varieties that come from the island Korcula self. Plavac mali, Cetinka, Posip, Maraština en Zlatarica Blatska, but also other world-famous varieties: Merlot, Syrah, Malbec can be found at this winery.

Besides wine they also make olive oil, brandy and various aromatic products. For a tour or a tasting, it is recommended to book in advance.

Winery Tomic, Jelsa, Island Hvar

The winery of the Tomic family, led by Andro Tomic, produces between 130.000 and 150.000 bottles of white, red and rose wine. The vineyards of the winery Tomic are located around the island of Hvar – around the town of Hvar, Stari Grad and Jelsa – covering an area of ​​10 hectares; most vineyards are organic. The full list of wines they produce is extensive; it also contains the famous sweet Dalmatian dessert wine Prosek and some liqueurs.

The winery offers tours and tastings in their wine cellar in Jelsa, which is modeled after ancient Roman dining rooms – carved from stone, it even replicates some of the building methods used in the construction of Diocletian's cellars. (The Roman Emperor who withdrew to Split.)

Wineries in Croatia – SouthDalmatia

Winery Grgic Vina, Trstenik, Peljesac-peninsula

This winery was founded by the legendary Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgic in 1996. He was actually born in Croatia. The winery produces two of the better known Croatian wines in their vineyards on the peninsula Peljesac and the island of Korcula: Plavac Mali en Posip† Tastings can be done in their wine cellar in Trstenik. A book has also been released that tells the fascinating story of how Grgic ended up in California and founded the famous Grgich Hills Estate.

Wineries in Croatia – Inland

Winery Vina Erdut, Erdut

The winery Vina Erdut has 460 hectares of its own vineyards. A large part of the vines between 2003 and 2010. This concerns 350 hectares. The authentic one has also been here since 1730 wine cellar established with a capacity of 6 million liters of wine. In the cellar is the largest wine barrel in the world, with a volume of 75.000 litres.

The vineyards consist of 80% white grape varieties and 20% red grape varieties. The most common grape variety is the Graševina with (approx. 290 hectares), followed by the Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio. Of the red grape varieties, especially the Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot en Blaufränkisch planted.

You can follow different tastings, training sessions, but also the famous Grasevina route along the Danube view. We have previously written an article about the winery Vina Erdut.

Winery Kutjevo

Located in Eastern Croatia in the Pozega region of WesternSlavonia, the company Kujetvo (located in the town of the same name) is one of the better-known wine producers in Croatia. It is particularly known for the white Grasevina wine. The town of Kutjevo is in fact the site of one of the oldest wine cellars in Southern Europe. It was built in 1232. Wine production is therefore an important part of the history of this area. You can enjoy a tour of the company's wine cellars. It is also possible to sample their new and vintage wines taste. Several sample packs are available.

Winery Iločki Podrumi

Iločki Podrumi (Ilok Vineyards) are located on the right bank of the River Danube, in the easternmost city of Croatia, in Ilok, the city of antiques and wines. They make about 4 million liters of wine a year. next to it taste of wine it is also possible to taste different gastronomic dishes taste and wine routes through their vineyards.

In short, Croatia has a very wide range of different winemakers and wineries. With this you can easily combine your holiday with a special day out.

Finally some other and winemakers and wineries in Croatia:

• Winery Degarra (Zadar)
• Winery Grabovac (Donji Prolozac, near Imotski – inland from Makarska)
• Winery Matusko (Potomje, Peljesac-peninsula)
• Winery Milos (Ston, Peljesac-peninsula)
• Winery Marlais (Ston, Peljesac-peninsula)
• Winery Botaro (Dubrovnik)