A wine tasting tour is a perfect way to learn more about wines from Korcula and to conveniently visit some of the best wineries on the island. We run a number of wine tasting tours on Korcula which will introduce you to some of the island’s best wines.
We also incorporate other fun activities into our tours such as a walk around the vineyards, a scenic cycle ride or a boat trip. Our wine tours are informal so do not think you need to know tons about wine tasting. The only prerequisite is that you enjoy drinking wine!
About Korcula Wine
With over 40,000 winemakers in Croatia, Korcula has its fair share of excellent local wines. The island is best known for its white wines, but you’ll find delicious reds as well. So which Korcula wine should you be trying when visiting the island?
Grk – Many of our wine-tasting tours focus on this famous and indigenous grape that is almost exclusively grown in Lumbarda. Its origins have been traced back to the 3rd/4th centuries BC when the Greeks bought the vines to Korcula. Grk is noted for its slightly bitter after-taste and its unusual characteristic: it only has female flowering parts.
Posip – Visit the island’s central villages of Cara and Smokvica on an island winery tour with Gaby to enjoy this delicious, regional grape variety at its historic source. As with Grk it has crisp acidity and is a dry wine. Discovered in the mid to late 19th century, it was one of the first white wines to be protected under Croatian law.
Rukatac (also called Marastina) – You’ll find this light-coloured white wine growing again in the centre of Korcula Island. The best quality Posip is made from around 40% Rukatac grapes.
Plavac Mali – Every winery we visit on our wine-tasting tours produces Plavac Mail. It is the most commonly grown red grape in Dalmatia. It’s a dry wine and its alcohol percentage can be very high. In Lumbarda, it is grown alongside the white grapes to pollinate the Grk vines.
Where to try Korcula Wine?
Wineries & Vineyards on Korcula
The majority of wineries on Korcula Island are family owned and have been passed down through the generations, some for as long as 300 years. Most of the vineyards are located in Lumbarda, Smokvica & Cara.
Lumbarda – There are 8 official Grk wine producers in Lumbarda. Our Wine Tasting Tours in Lumbarda visit the best family-run Grk producers. Our self-guided cycling tour to Lumbarda from Korcula Town includes helpful information about where to visit the wineries.
Zrnovo – Award-winning Posip producers, Tasovac, have a beautiful winery in Zrnovo where you can taste all of their delicious wines in a shaded courtyard.
Smokvica – There are a number of small producers in Smokvica. These include Toreta, which also houses an interesting museum and Winery Grosic, which can be visited as part of a Driven Wine Tour.
You can see full contact details for each of the winemakers on the informative Smokvica Tourist Board website. There is also a “Posip Walk” in Smokvica, which passes by a statute to commemorate the discovery of the grape in the area.
Cara – There are a few winemakers from Cara, most notably Krajancic. Krajancic Winery is located on the road to Zavalatica. You can visit a winery in Cara and Smokvica and learn more about this wine-growing area as part of Gaby’s Island Winery Tour.
Blato – The largest wine producer in Blato is called “Blato 1902”, which is also an olive oil producer. From their shop/tasting room you can buy their premium bottled wines, their house wine (straight from the tank), as well as domestic olive oil.
Korcula Wine Bars & Shops
In recent years there has been an explosion of wine bars on Korcula. No complaints from us! The majority are located in Korcula Old Town. They offer a great selection of wines from the island and nearby Peljesac. In particular, we would recommend Bokar Wine Bar, Lole Wine Bar & Tapas and Marilo. Run by friendly and passionate locals who will be able to showcase the best wines for you to try.
If you would like to buy some wine either to drink on the island or to take home as a souvenir, try to buy direct from the winery. Alternatively, there are a couple of wine shops in Korcula Town such as Dioniz. You can buy wine from local supermarkets, although they do not typically stock locally produced island wines.
Wine Festivals
Throughout the summer the island hosts several wine festivals. This is a great opportunity to taste some local wines. Korcula Town hosts a White Wine-Black Island evening which showcases all wines from the island. In Lumbarda, there are three Grk wine nights where you can taste wines from all the producers. Finally, the Posip Open Cellars is a week-long wine festival taking place in Smokvica and Cara.
Harvest Time
Mid to late August into September is the usual time for the grape harvest. Harvest time depends upon when the grapes are ripe. The levels of sugar, acid and tannin measure the ripeness of the grape. Weather also plays a part because grapes need lots of sun and not too much rain. All grapes are handpicked. Usually by the extended family of the winery, local friends or even visitors to the island.
Korcula Island Guide
Would you like more insider tips and recommendations about Korcula Island? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide packed full of information so that you can plan and enjoy a truly memorable holiday on Korcula. Click here to download your copy.
Further information
Learn more about wines from Korcula Island during a wine tasting tour.