An amazing sightseeing and wine tasting experience awaits anyone who journeys towards Pelješac peninsula and the island of Korčula. Croatia has about 40 native grape varieties from which commercial available wines are made. From the 5 most notable, 2 are from Pelješac (Plavac mali) and Korčula (Pošip). The other most popular varieties in Croatia are Graševina (from the region Slovonia in northern Croatia), Malvazija (from Istria) and Teran (also from Istria).
The wines in Croatia are not world famous, mostly because of the relatively small productions and are unable to provide enough supply for export, but many of the local wines are of excellent quality which lots of world awards testify to. From the wines produced on Pelješac, the most notable are Dingač and Postup (both red wines made from Plavac mali) and Pošip Čara and Pošip Smokvica (white wines made from Pošip) and are the most recomeded wines to try when in this part of the world.
The wine tasting tours usually include a visit to one of the wineries that produces these wines and you get to taste several different varieties accompanied by a local producer that explains everything there is to know about wine production in Croatia. You also have the opportunity to buy excellent wine at great prices.
When choosing the perfect wine tasting and winery tour there are several options to consider:
1. Tour of Pelješac and Korčula with wine tasting
Most tours tours that visit Pelješac and Korčula include a stop at a local winery but also offer an amazing day sightseeing and visiting places such as Korčula town (on the island Korčula, the birthplace of Marko Polo and a historical cultural center) and Ston (famous for the 5 km long walls, oysters and a salt production facility). We think this is an ideal tour that gives a bit of everything, sightseeing, food tasting, wine tasting and a short boat ride, so it's our number one recommendation.
2. Konavle region and countryside with wine tasting
The Konavle region is also an important wine producing region closer to Dubrovnik then Pelješac and tours provide a more traditional experience, visiting smaller villages and apart from wine tasting include lunch and folklore shows. These tours are much more easy going and relaxing.
3. Walking tours of Dubrovnik with wine tasting
Some of the local walking tours also include a wine tasting in one of the bars. This is a great choice if you are short on time or you want to try several of the best local wines without going to the winery itself.
4. Bosna and Hercegovina wine tasting tours
Bosna and Hercegovina has also some really good wines made from the grapes Žilavka and Blatina. Lot's of wineries are situated close to the border with Croatia so are also relatively close to Dubrovnik. These tours are great since most of the Croatian wines you can taste almost anywhere in Dubrovnik but lots of the wines from Hercegovina are unavailable.