Zagreb

Exploring Croatia’s Wines: Where Tradition Meets Taste

24 Oct 2024

Croatia, a hidden gem in the world of wine, is home to a rich tradition of winemaking that dates back over 2,500 years. From the sun-kissed Dalmatian coast to the rolling hills of Istria and the lush vineyards of Slavonia, this small yet diverse country offers wine enthusiasts an unforgettable journey. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply enjoy a good glass of wine, Croatia's wineries and wine bars provide the perfect backdrop for tasting some of the finest wines the country has to offer. Let’s explore some of the top places where you can taste, tour, and take home a piece of Croatian wine culture.

Wine and Friends Wine bar & Shop, Zagreb

Is there a better combination on the planet than wine and friends? Few things in life stir the soul like a good glass of wine with your favourite people, and this Zagreb wine bar combines the two with elegance and style. The range of bottles on offer is impressive, covering the entire spectrum of grapes, while the bar snacks and food are perfect accompaniments. You can even buy bottles to take home, although we recommend spending as much time here as possible. You have wine, you have friends, what more do you need?
Malogorička 42
wineandfriends.hr/

diWine Bar, Zagreb

It shouldn’t be a shock to learn that we love the name. Puns are one of life’s treasures, after all, and the same can be said about good wine and good times. diWine is a delightful wine bar in the city centre, a place where lovers of wine can come together and enjoy the finer things in life, while the frequent events help add layers of education to all those flavours. diWine does its best to focus on smaller producers, giving a space for boutique wines and independent growers to showcase their efforts. Yes, it is divine.
Opatovina 29
www.diwine.com.hr/

Terra Madre Winery, Komarna

Top quality wine backdropped by stunning vineyards and the sea just a short jaunt away? If that isn’t a wine wonderland, we don’t know what is. Winery Terra Madre has a gorgeous location in Komarna, but the vines steal the show. Three types of tasting are available (go for the Premium, seriously), and the sunsets are iconic. A sunset picnic sounds good, right? Choose a bottle of wine from the tasting room and enjoy a perfect picnic on the plateau, with beautiful views for company. Individuals can just rock up and check the place out, but groups should call for a visit ahead of time.
Komarna 9, Komarna
www.vinaterramadre.com
 

Škar Winery, Dubrovnik

This unique wine and souvenir shop is located in an old shipyard in the city's stunning harbour. The small family-run business started selling it’s homemade Lekri wines four years ago. The grapes are grown and picked in their vineyards on Pelješac and brought to the winery in Dubrovnik where the superb Plavac mali, a supreme dry red wine and Rukatac, a quality dry white wine are produced. The Krile family also makes liqueurs with a diverse assortment of flavors- careb, cherry, lemon and many more. The souvenirs are all knickknacks made by local Dubrovnik artists. This extraordinary wine tasting experience is not to be missed!
Lapadska obala 17
www.lekri.eu

Baraka Winery, Srima, Šibenik

BARAKA is a family-owned boutique winery located in the heart of Dalmatia on the Srima peninsula near Šibenik and Vodice completely focused on making terroir-driven fine wines and great tasting experiences for our friends and guests.
Small batch winemaking and hands-on approach with constant raising of quality are words they would use to describe themselves. Join us on their journey and explore their wines!
Bogdanovići 36
http://baraka.co
 

Testament Winery, Šibenik

No trip to Dalmatia is complete without a trip to a winery, and Testament is a must for anyone in the north. You could say that the quality of the wine here is a testament to their attention to detail, but that fruit is too low even for us. We’ll stick to the wines, gorgeous creations that utilise modern technology in a beautiful setting. Guided tastings are available on weekdays; be sure to call ahead and make a reservation.
Stražnice 2, Jadrtovac
www.testament-winery.com/hr/

Bibić Tasting Room, Plastovo

In the little village of Plastovo near beautiful Skradin there is a hidden jewel which has even had the famous TV food icon Anthony Bourdain visit. The Bibich family have been producing wines for generations and these can be found in the finest restaurants across the US and Europe. With prior reservation, the course meals are on offer for the entire wining and dining experience, not to mention the stroll through their serene winery.
https://bibich.superbexperience.com/

Moments Wine and Fine Shop, Split

Looking for a bottle of high-quality Croatian wine to take home? Good luck resisting the temptation to open it, by the way, but Moments Wine and Fine is a great place to go looking for that most delicious of souvenirs. A long-time online seller, Moments finally have a brick and mortar location in town, and oenophiles are all the better for it.
Kružićeva 2
https://moments.hr/

Vinoteka Winebox, Split

The world is filled with magnificent wines, and every corner of the globe is represented on the shelves of Wine Box. These guys supply wine for yachts too, which should give you a good indication of the quality on offer, and the occasional tastings and events are always well-attended.
Gundulićeva 26
www.facebook.com/wineboxsplit/

Degarra Vinery, Zadar

The interior is like something out of an oenophile’s dream, all exposed brickwork and minimalist charm, but it is important to remember that the decor is secondary to the decanting and Degarra. This is a winery, not a design shop, and the available wines are fantastic. Degarra is all about sensory arousal through the classical wine stylings, so head here for a glass or two and then pick up a bottle to take home.
Put vrela bb
https://degarra.com/en/vinery-visit-info/
 

Fiolić Winery, Zadar

Wine lovers rejoice; Fiolić will make your heart sing. The tasting room (located in the Borik neighbourhood) serves up the many marvellous varieties found in the region with a particular focus on Maraština, a heritage grape from the Zadar hinterland. A charming atmosphere and delicious wines collide here with gorgeous results, with several options available for oenophiles and beginners alike. Guided tastings of three or five wines are available, with these same brews available for purchase. Be sure to make an appointment ahead of time.
Kožinska cesta 62, Kožino
http://www.vina-fiolic.com

Vinoteka Vinita, Osijek

Nestling in an intimate barrel-vaulted cellar just off Strossmayerova is Vinita, a wine bar and wine shop that is absolutely packed with quality produce from some of Croatia’s most renowned vineyards. The shop sells just about everything from the Slavonia-Baranja region, making it an excellent point of call for those who don’t have the time to visit all the local cellars themselves. It’s a particularly good place to pick up the small-winery boutique wines that don’t have Croatia-wide supermarket distribution, such as Buhač from Ilok, Kalazić from Batina and Josić from Zmajevac.
J.J.Strossmayera 21
http://www.vinoteka-vinita.hr

Degrassi Vina, Savudrija

Degrassi Winery, located in the heart of Istria, is synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and innovation in Croatian winemaking. With a focus on blending tradition and modernity, Degrassi is known for its diverse range of wines, from crisp whites like Malvazija to bold reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Their vineyards, influenced by the Istrian climate and rich soil, produce wines full of character and depth. 
Bašanija - Podrumarska 3, Savudrija
www.degrassi.hr/


 

Comments

Connect via social media
google sign in button
Leave a comment using your email This e-mail address is not valid
Please enter your name*

Please share your location

Enter your message*
Put our app in your pocket
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more here. AGREE
Top