From Pelješac Vineyards to the Cellars of Konavle

Wine has been part of life in southern Croatia for centuries.

Across the landscapes surrounding Dubrovnik, vineyards grow on steep coastal slopes, fertile valleys and island fields, producing wines that are inseparable from the places they come from.

Some of Croatia’s most distinctive varieties are found here – from the powerful reds of Pelješac to the elegant white wines of Korčula and the historic vineyards of Konavle.

For wine lovers, exploring them offers another way to discover the region.

Pelješac – The Home of Plavac Mali

Drive north from Dubrovnik and the landscape of Pelješac soon becomes dominated by vineyards.

This is the heartland of Plavac Mali, Croatia’s best-known indigenous red grape and the variety behind some of the country’s most celebrated wines.

The most dramatic vineyards are found around Dingač, where vines grow on remarkably steep, sun-drenched slopes descending towards the Adriatic. Nearby Postup is another historic wine-growing area recognised for expressive Plavac Mali wines.

But visiting Pelješac is about more than tasting what’s in the glass.

Small family cellars, stone villages and vineyards overlooking the sea make the journey itself part of the experience. Many producers welcome visitors for informal tastings, often accompanied by local cheese, olive oil and cured meats.

It’s a landscape where wine and everyday life have grown together for generations.

Korčula – An Island of White Wines

Across the water from Pelješac, Korčula tells a different wine story.

The island is particularly known for its indigenous white grape varieties, including Pošip and Grk.

Around Čara and Smokvica, Pošip has been cultivated for generations, producing aromatic, structured white wines that pair beautifully with Adriatic seafood.

Further east, the sandy vineyards around Lumbarda are home to Grk, one of Croatia’s more unusual indigenous varieties.

There is something particularly enjoyable about discovering wine on an island. Vineyards, small villages and the sea are never far apart, and tastings tend to unfold at the same relaxed pace as island life itself.

Konavle – Wine with a Dubrovnik Heritage

South of Dubrovnik, the fertile landscape of Konavle has its own long winemaking tradition.

Here, vineyards sit among olive groves, cypress trees and traditional villages, creating an altogether different setting from the dramatic slopes of Pelješac.

One variety is particularly important: Malvasija Dubrovačka.

Closely associated with the Dubrovnik region for centuries, this historic white grape has been carefully preserved by local growers and is today one of the most interesting wines to seek out when visiting Konavle.

Many wineries remain small and family-run, making tastings personal and unhurried.

A visit might begin in the vineyard, continue in a family cellar and end around a table with local food and several bottles opened along the way.

More Than a Wine Tasting

The best wine experiences around Dubrovnik rarely feel like formal tours.

They are often simple encounters with the people who work the vineyards and understand every change in the landscape and season.

A winemaker explaining the year’s harvest. A bottle opened beneath a shaded terrace. Fresh bread dipped into local olive oil between tastings.

These small moments reveal far more about the region than simply reading a wine label.

And that is perhaps the best reason to explore Dubrovnik’s wine country.

Three Regions, Three Different Stories

Pelješac, Korčula and Konavle are remarkably different from one another.

Pelješac is the place for powerful Plavac Mali reds and dramatic coastal vineyards.

Korčula brings indigenous white varieties and the relaxed rhythm of island life.

Konavle offers intimate family wineries and a wine tradition closely connected to Dubrovnik itself.

You don’t need to discover them all in one trip.

Choose a region, take your time and allow the wine to introduce you to the landscape around it.

A Taste of Southern Croatia

Wine in this part of Croatia is not simply something served with dinner.

It is connected to family, landscape and tradition – vines cultivated by generations and varieties that belong to very particular corners of the Adriatic.

Exploring the wine regions around Dubrovnik therefore becomes about much more than tasting wine.

It is another way of understanding southern Croatia.

Continue Your Journey

From the vineyards of Pelješac to the family cellars of Konavle, discover southern Croatia at your own pace from one of our handpicked luxury villas.