Wine Tasting Near Dubrovnik: A Guide to Croatia’s Pelješac Peninsula Wineries

Vina Miloš

Miloš is one of the oldest producers on the Pelješac Peninsula. So, it’s a great first stop to learn about the region while also tasting more modern-style wines.

The Miloš family has been making wine here for around 500 years. The current version of the winery was founded by Frano Miloš, who helped push Croatian wine toward higher-quality production.

The vineyards are dry-farmed and organic, planted among stone walls to prevent soil erosion. And the wines are made with lower alcohol than the traditional styles from the peninsula. Their best-known is Stagnum, the Latin word for Ston, and it’s aged nine years before release.

My visit started with a tour of the cellar, moving from the newer space into the original part with the oldest barrels. The guide explained how the exposed stone walls naturally control the temp and humidity. After the tour, my tasting took place on the balcony. Each wine was poured and explained individually, with plenty of time to enjoy and take in the views of the village and surrounding hills.

Vina Miloš, Boljenovići 15, 20230, Ston

Grgić Vina

If the name Grgić rings a bell, you’ve likely heard of their sister winery in Napa: Grgich Hills Estate. Not only are they known for their wines on both sides of the Atlantic, but the views here alone make it worth the stop. The winery is set on its own little peninsula jutting out into the sea in the small village of Trstenik.

Founder Miljenko “Mike” Grgich was born in Croatia but left during World War II. He landed in Napa Valley and became famous for making Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay that won the 1973 Judgement of Paris. After starting his own winery, he returned to Croatia with the goal of supporting its growing wine industry.

In addition to opening the Croatian winery, Mike also championed the research that connected California’s Zinfandel to Croatia’s Crljenak Kaštelanski, which is the parent grape of Plavac Mali. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 100, but his daughter Violet and nephew Ivo carry things on.

Grgić Vina focuses only on the native grapes of Plavac Mali and Pošip. I sampled both of these on my visit, along with one from the Napa estate. In warm weather, the outdoor terrace is the place to sip and take it all in. But even in the cooler season, the floor-to-ceiling windows gave me great views of the sea and the village. My visit wrapped up with a short cellar tour where I learned more about Mike’s story and their winemaking practices.

Grgić Vina, Trstenik 78, 20 245 Trstenik

Korta Katarina Winery

If you’re interested in food and wine pairing experiences, Korta Katarina is a must visit. It’s located in Orebić, right on the water, and feels more like arriving at a Mediterranean estate than a typical winery visit.

American owners Lee and Penny Anderson first came to the region while helping with post-war reconstruction projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They fell for Croatia and its wines, eventually purchasing vineyard plots on the Pelješac Peninsula and producing their first vintage in 2006. The former Rivijera Hotel was turned into a luxury villa, and they added the winery and tasting room.

Korta Katarina works mainly with Plavac Mali from their estate vineyards on the peninsula and Pošip sourced from the island of Korčula. They’ve clearly invested a lot into both the vineyards and the overall experience, and it shows as soon as you arrive.

When I visited, I walked up a flower-lined path to the tasting room and restaurant, with huge glass windows overlooking the sea. I was shown to a table set with wine glasses and a plate of cheeses and olives, and poured a welcome glass of rosé. The tasting itself was educational, and the service was excellent. Afterward, I was given a private tour of their underground cellar to see where the wines are made and aged.

Korta Katarina Winery, Ul. Bana Josipa Jelačića 3, 20250, Orebić

Vina Antičević

Antičević is a small, family-run winery right near the tunnel that leads to the Dingač slopes. It’s a great stop if you want a more intimate tasting and to see how Plavac Mali and Dingač wines can vary in style.

The family has grown grapes here for generations and used to sell them to a local co-op. The winery started when brothers Niko and Antun decided to make their own wines from the grapes. Today, they produce white wines, Plavac Mali, and Dingač in both traditional and modern styles.

I had planned to meet Niko for the tasting but he was sick, so his mother was there to greet me when I arrived. She was incredibly welcoming and shared stories about the family, the village, and the vineyards as I tasted. I got to sample some of the white wines straight from the tank. Then she poured the red wines along with bread, cheese, and olives.

I liked getting to taste both the traditional and modern styles and see how methods have changed over time. Afterward, I drove through the tunnel to see the steep Dingač vineyards in person. It’s definitely worth a stop, but just be prepared for very narrow roads.

Vina Antičević, Potomje 44, 20244 Potomje

Vina Terra Madre

While Terra Madre isn’t technically on the Pelješac Peninsula, it’s absolutely worth the stop. It’s just over the Pelješac Bridge along the coast, making it an easy add if you’re heading north to Split. The views alone are reason enough to pull over.

The winery sits in the Komarna appellation, where vines were first planted in 2008 on steep limestone slopes above the sea. The vineyards are organically farmed and certified ecological, with long sun exposure that helps with grape ripening. Terra Madre released its first vintage in 2017 and focuses on small-production wines.

The drive up to the winery winds uphill through the vineyards, with sweeping views back toward the Pelješac Bridge and the water below. I couldn’t resist stopping along the way to snap a few photos before reaching the tasting room. The setup is modern, with a covered patio and a lower terrace.

I ordered a flight and grabbed a table outside, where the views were even more dramatic. Between the excellent wines, the island-speckled sea, and the cascading vineyards, it was one of those places that’s hard to leave.

Vina Terra Madre, Komarna 9, 20355 Komarna, Hrvatska

Pelješac Peninsula Wine Tours

I drove myself around the Pelješac Peninsula and found driving in Croatia to be pretty easy. That said, some of the roads on the peninsula are winding and pretty narrow. And when you’re wine tasting, it’s always better to let someone else do the driving.

These are two great tour options that start in Dubrovnik and take you out to Pelješac for the day:

• Small-Group Wine Tour – Includes tastings at three Pelješac wineries, often including Grgić and Miloš, plus a stop in Ston with an optional oyster tasting. Snacks included, with a local guide and hotel pick-up and drop-off in Dubrovnik. Groups are limited to eight people.
• Private Wine Tour – Includes tastings at three Pelješac wineries, often Grgić and Miloš, with a stop in Ston and the option for lunch and oyster tasting. Includes a private local guide and hotel pick-up and drop-off in Dubrovnik.

🚌 Book the Small Group Tour
🚌 Book the Private Tour