Korčula Wineries: Croatia’s Underrated Island for White Wine Lovers
Korčula might be known for its walled Old Town and Adriatic views, but it’s also one of Croatia’s most interesting destinations for white wine lovers.
This island sits just off the Pelješac Peninsula on the Dalmatian Coast, and it’s an easy ferry ride from Dubrovnik. Korčula Old Town reminded me of a mini Dubrovnik, with its ancient stone walls, narrow streets, and surrounding sea.
While it may be small, the island is home to nearly 50 wineries and tasting rooms. It’s the only place in the world where Grk is grown, and Pošip was first discovered here. Both of these white wines pair perfectly with the local seafood you’ll find all over.
As a certified wine expert, I spent several days exploring both the walkable wine town of Lumbarda and the wineries around the inland villages of Smokvica and Čara. Here’s what to know before you go so you can make the most of your time on the island.
Wineries in Lumbarda
This small seaside town sits on the eastern tip of the island. It only took me about 10 minutes to drive there from Korčula Old Town. You can also bike, hop on a bus, or even take a water taxi.
Lumbarda is the only place that grows Grk (pronounced “Gurk”). This white variety thrives here thanks to the sandy soils and the sea on both sides of the vineyards. Grk has female-only flowers, so winemakers often plant it alongside the red variety Plavac Mali to help with pollination.
There are about a dozen wineries here, most of them small, family-run spots. A few are right in town, and others are an easy bike ride away.
Lovrić Winery
If you’re looking for a family-run spot with great views and great wines, don’t miss Lovrić Winery in Lumbarda.
While the current winery began in the early 2000s, the Lovrić family has been making wine for generations. I met Renci, who opened their restaurant with his wife Silvana. They started making wine to serve their guests. But as Grk became more popular, they expanded their production. And today, Renci is passing the reigns to his sons, Marin and Ante.
My visit started with a quick tour of their small winery space, where they only make a few thousand bottles a year. Then we headed up to the restaurant deck, which sits on a hill overlooking the bay and Lumbarda harbor.
Renci poured each wine and talked me through them, sharing stories about the family and even the origins of Grk’s name, thought to come from ancient Greek settlers on the island. Afterwards, I had time to enjoy the wines while taking in the view of the bay.
Lovrić Winery, Lumbarda 217, 20263
More Wineries to Visit in Lumbarda
I visited Korčula in late October when many of the wineries had already shut down for the season. So, I was only able to arrange a visit at Lovrić. But based on my research, here are other spots I’d look at if you’re planning a trip.
- Popić Winery – One of the more established names for Grk, set just back from the bay with a terrace overlooking the vineyards down to Lumbarda harbor. They also offer a menu of snacks and local dishes.
- Vitis Winery – Located right next to Popić, they have a pretty patio surrounded by gardens and vineyards. And you can pair their Grk and Pošip with local prosciutto and cheese.
- Cipre Winery – A small, family-run winery set on a hill just off the main road, offering educational tastings of their well-made wines with water views.
- Casa Boschi Winery – Located right in the center of town, with a grapevine-covered terrace overlooking the harbor and an intimate tasting style, plus food options.
- ARTES Winery – A newer winery right on the water, with a large terrace and a more modern feel, offering tastings alongside house-made food platters.
- Sabulum Winery – Located a bit farther from the center in a quieter area, with a focus on Grk and tasting options that include a snack platter.
Don’t Plan a Wine Trip Without This Checklist
After years of planning wine trips around the world, I created the checklist I wish I’d had from the start. It walks you through exactly what to do and when, from early research to week-of to-dos, so planning your trip feels simple instead of stressful.
Wineries in Smokvica & Čara
Heading inland, Smokvica and Čara are where you’ll find the other side of Korčula’s wine scene. Located in the central part of the island, this area is about a 30-minute drive from Korčula Old Town, so you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour to visit.
This is the birthplace of Pošip, one of Croatia’s most well-known white wines. It was first discovered growing wild here in the late 1800s. You’ll also find Plavac Mali, which loves this area’s 2,800 hours of sunshine per year.
If you’re driving, it’s worth stopping at Pupnatska Luka along the way. You can see the clear turquoise waters of this secluded bay from the viewpoint above. Or take the winding road down to the beach to walk along its white pebbled shore.
Merga Victa Winery
Merga Victa is a great stop in Smokvica if you want to try excellent Pošip along with a variety of other wines. The winery has roots as a former cooperative where some of the first Pošip was produced.
Today, it operates as a modern winery sourcing grapes from growers across the surrounding villages. The name “Merga Victa” means Black Island, a nod to Korčula’s name, which came from the island’s dark pine forests.
When I arrived, I walked up to a small patio with colorful bistro tables and string lights before heading inside the stone building next to the winery. The tasting room upstairs felt modern, with a jewel-toned bar and comfortable seating.
I was able to choose which wines I wanted to taste, and each one was poured and explained individually. The tasting also came with a generous cheese and charcuterie plate that easily could have replaced lunch.
Merga Victa Winery, Smokvica 295, 20272
Other Smokvica Area Wineries
This is a great area to try Pošip and see how different producers approach it. Here are a few other spots I’d recommend adding to your list.
- Željko Pecotić Baran – A small producer right in town focused on organic wines, with a simple, personal tasting setup.
- Grošić Winery – A family-run winery known for its Pošip, with a patio overlooking the valley and offering meat and cheese platters.
- Barbazza Winery – A boutique producer offering tastings at the owner’s home with views of the town’s clock tower and homemade olive oil.
- Toreta Winery – One of the more established names in the area. Tastings are reservation only and take place on a terrace overlooking the town with options for charcuterie or seafood plates.
Korčula Old Town Wine Tasting
One of my favorite parts of visiting Korčula was wandering the streets of Old Town. It’s much smaller than Dubrovnik, so it’s easy to explore in an afternoon. You’ll find lots of restaurants and little shops tucked into the narrow stone streets.
It’s also a great place to taste the local wines. Within and just outside the walls, you’ll find several wine bars pouring glasses and tasting flights of wines from across the island. Here are a few to check out:
- Wine Bar Bokar – A popular spot located at the northern tip of Old Town, with a small outdoor seating area and views of the water. They focus on Croatian wines and have platters, snacks, and a small wine shop.
- Lole Wine and Tapas Bar – A great pick for pairing local wines with creative tapas. It’s a small space, so reservations are a good idea during peak season.
- Mariola Wine Bar – A newer spot just above Bokar on the same street, with indoor and outdoor seating, and custom tasting flights.
- Čiz Pliz – Located just outside the city walls, specializing in cheese with staff who can recommend wine pairings. It’s great for a light dinner or even brunch.
- Servantes Food & Wine Bar – A full-service restaurant with traditional dishes like seafood, pasta, and pizza, plus a strong list of local wines at very reasonable prices
The Best Korčula Wine Tour
If you’d rather not deal with driving or planning logistics, this private wine tour is an easy way to experience both sides of Korčula’s wine scene in one day.
The tour includes stops at two wineries, one in Lumbarda and one in the Smokvica/Čara area, so you’ll get to try both Grk and Pošip where they’re grown. Along the way, you’ll also stop at the viewpoint overlooking Pupnatska Luka, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Tastings, transportation, a local guide, snacks, and bottled water are all included.
🚌 Book the Korčula Wine Tour
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Where to Stay For Korčula Wine Tasting
I recommend staying in or near Korčula Old Town. It’s close to the ferry terminal, has plenty of great restaurants, and makes an easy home base for exploring the island. You’re also just a short drive or bike ride from Lumbarda.
I stayed in a vacation rental that was walking distance to the Old Town, and it worked out really well. There are a lot of great options in this area, and pricing is often better than hotels. It’s a good way to get a little more space while still being close to everything.
If you prefer a hotel, the Aminess Liburna Hotel is a great option. It’s walkable to Old Town, has on-site parking, and sits right on the water with a beach and pool, so you get that resort-style feel.
🏨 Book the Aminess Liburna Hotel
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FAQs About Wine Tasting on Korčula
The main wine tasting season runs from late spring through early fall. May through September is your best bet for the most consistent winery hours. By October, many wineries start to close for the season and even run out of wine.
If you’re visiting in July or August, keep an eye out for wine evenings and local events where you can taste wines from multiple producers in one place.
If you’re visiting wineries on the Pelješac Peninsula, you can take a short car ferry from Orebić to Korčula. The ride is about 15 minutes, and you’ll arrive a short drive from Korčula Old Town. From Dubrovnik, there are passenger ferries that go directly to Korčula Old Town.
Once you’re on the island, having a car is helpful, especially for visiting Smokvica and Čara. That said, you can get to Lumbarda by bike, bus, or even water taxi, and there’s plenty to do within walking distance in Korčula Old Town. Wine tours are a great option for visiting the central part of the island.
Korčula is best known for its white wines, especially Pošip and Grk, both of which are indigenous to the island.
Pošip was first discovered here in the late 1800s, growing wild near the village of Čara. Today, it’s one of Croatia’s most well-known white wines and was the first white wine in the country to receive protected status. It tends to be fuller-bodied, with notes of apricot, citrus, and other stone fruits.
Grk is even more unique. It’s only grown in Lumbarda, where sandy soil vineyards are surrounded by the sea and create the right conditions. The grape has female-only flowers, so it needs to be planted alongside another variety, often Plavac Mali, for pollination. This results in uneven berry sizes, which gives it a slightly bitter finish. In the glass, you’ll usually find citrus, pear, and herbs with bright acidity.
You’ll also come across Plavac Mali, the island’s main red grape, along with Rukatac (also known as Maraština), a lighter-bodied white that’s often used in blends.
No, the wineries are seasonal. They close in October, and some may run out of wine even earlier depending on the year.
Some wineries accept walk-ins, but it’s a good idea to check ahead and make a reservation if you can. Many are small, family-run operations with limited hours.
Most wineries don’t offer online booking, and many don’t have websites, so you may need to reach out by email or WhatsApp. I found a helpful list of all the wineries with contact information on the Korčula Tourist Board website.
Check out more winery etiquette tips.
Tasting fees are generally pretty reasonable. Expect to pay around €10 to €25 per person, often including a small snack like cheese, prosciutto, or bread. More in-depth tastings or tours may cost a bit more, especially if they include food or transportation.
See how this compares to wine tasting costs in other regions.
Keep Exploring Croatia’s Wine Regions
Korčula is just one stop on Croatia’s wine map, and it’s worth adding on other regions while you’re here.
Just across the water, the Pelješac Peninsula wineries are known for Plavac Mali, a red variety grown on steep coastal slopes. It’s an easy next stop before or after Korčula via a short ferry to Orebić.
Further north, Hvar is Croatia’s sunniest island and home to seaside tasting rooms and small inland wineries also focusing on Plavac Mali and local white varieties.
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