From malvazija in Istria to plavac mali on Pelješac and graševina in Slavonia: wineries worth the detour.
Croatia has made wine for centuries, but only in recent decades have its best bottles found their way across Europe. These eight wineries show what the country has to offer, from the coast to the interior. They are grouped by region, so they are easy to fit into your trip.
Istria: the land of malvazija
In the north of Istria, close to Momjan, you will find Kozlović. The family winery has made wine since 1904 and is often named as one of the producers that put malvazija istarska back on the map. At the modern winery in the Vale valley you can taste and take a tour.
Further south, between the Lim Channel and Sveti Lovreč, Ivica Matošević started a small winery at his family home in Krunčići in the mid-1990s. His Alba wines show how far malvazija can go. Alba Antiqua was the first dry Croatian wine on the list at The Fat Duck, Heston Blumenthal's restaurant. Both wineries are easy to reach from Rovinj or Pula.
Kozlović
A family winery in the Vale valley near Momjan, in northern Istria, making wine since 1904. Known for its Malvazija istarska. The modern winery offers tastings and tours.
- Malvazija White · Malvazija istarska
- Santa Lucia White · Malvazija istarska
- Teran Red · Teran
- Muškat momjanski Sweet · Muškat momjanski
Matošević
Ivica Matošević started a small winery at his family home in the mid-1990s, between the Lim Channel and Sveti Lovreč. His Alba wines from malvazija are among Istria's best-known whites.
- Alba White · Malvazija istarska
- Alba Antiqua White · Malvazija istarska
- Grimalda Bijelo White · Malvazija, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc
- Grimalda Crno Red · Merlot, teran
Pelješac: plavac mali above the sea
On the Pelješac peninsula, plavac mali grows on the steep slopes of Dingač and Postup. In Potomje, siblings Niko Bura and Mare Mrgudić make wine from their own vineyards, mostly plavac mali. Only a few bottles of their Dingač are made.
In Trstenik you will find Grgić Vina, founded in 1996 by Miljenko 'Mike' Grgich. He became famous as a winemaker in California, but also started a winery in his home country. It makes just two wines: a pošip and a plavac mali.
Korta Katarina in Orebić combines a winery with a small luxury hotel. The reds come from Postup and Dingač, the whites mainly from pošip grown on Korčula, across the water. Pelješac makes a lovely day trip from Dubrovnik, but staying a night is worth it.
Grgić Vina
Founded in 1996 by Miljenko 'Mike' Grgich, the Croatian winemaker who made his name in Napa Valley, together with his daughter Violet. The winery makes just two wines, both from Croatian grapes.
- Pošip White · Pošip
- Plavac Mali Red · Plavac mali
Bura-Mrgudić
Siblings Niko Bura and Mare Mrgudić make wine from their own vineyards in Dingač, Postup and inland Pelješac, mostly plavac mali. Their Dingač is made in very small quantities.
- Dingač Red · Plavac mali
- Rukatac White · Maraština
Korta Katarina
A winery with a small luxury hotel in Orebić. The reds come from Postup and Dingač, the whites mainly from pošip grown on Korčula, across the water.
- Plavac Mali Red · Plavac mali
- Pošip White · Pošip
- Rosé Rosé
Slavonia: the home of graševina
Kutjevo, in the east of the country, is Croatia's best-known graševina area. Krauthaker has vineyards around the town, including Mitrovac and Podgorje. A few kilometres away is Enjingi in Hrnjevac. Their Venje is a white blend that includes graševina, riesling and traminac. Venje 2015 was named best white wine at the Festival of the 100 Best Croatian Wines in early 2025.
Krauthaker
A family winery in Kutjevo, Slavonia's best-known wine area. Its focus is graševina, from vineyards around Kutjevo such as Mitrovac and Podgorje.
- Graševina Mitrovac White · Graševina
- Graševina Podgorje White · Graševina
- Pinot crni Red · Pinot noir
Enjingi
A large family winery in Hrnjevac, one of Kutjevo's best-known vineyards. Its Venje, a white blend including graševina and traminac, was named best white wine at the Festival of the 100 Best Croatian Wines in early 2025, with the 2015 vintage.
- Venje bijelo White · Graševina, rizling, pinot sivi, sauvignon, traminac
- Graševina White · Graševina
- Zweigelt Red · Zweigelt
Plešivica: bubbles near Zagreb
South-west of Zagreb, less than an hour's drive away, lies the Plešivica wine area. It is known for sparkling wine. Tomac is seen as the region's pioneer of sparkling and biodynamic wine. The family has worked with Georgian clay vessels, qvevri, since 2006, and their Amfora Brut Nature draws attention well beyond Croatia.
Tomac
A family winery in Plešivica, the wine area south-west of Zagreb. Tomac is seen as the region's pioneer of sparkling and biodynamic wine, and has worked with Georgian clay vessels (qvevri) since 2006.
- Amfora Brut Nature Sparkling
Tips for your visit
- Call or email ahead. Many wineries only receive visitors by appointment, especially outside the high season.
- The harvest runs roughly from late August into October. The cellars are busy then, but it is also when you see the most.
- If you drive, don't drink. Croatia's limit is 0.5 per mille, and zero for young and novice drivers. Agree on a designated driver or book a wine tour with a driver.
- Bring a cool bag if you buy bottles. In summer the car heats up quickly.
Visiting several wineries in one day? The wine route planner puts them in a handy order and spreads them over days.