From Grey Goose vodka and Bombay Sapphire gin to Sierra Tequila and Bacardi Gold, the place to shop is Svirce.
Hvar will never cease to surprise…
I was in the Svirce Cooperative recently, a wonderful place on the edge of the inland village, whose products have a surprising depth and quality to them. I had driven past the place for years, assuming it was just some ordinary cooperative with average wines. How wrong I was!
This is the winery which obtained the first organic certificate for Plavac Mali back in 2003, the same winery whose outstanding Ivan Dolac Barrique won gold in Germany, and among whose specialist wines is the late-picked Plavac Mali, which retails at a cool 350 kuna a half-litre. And is sold out.
Litres of very drinkable table wine start at 16 kuna a litre, and perhaps the best value Plavac Mali around is the standard cooperative product, Plavac Hvar at 35 kuna a bottle.
But that was not what caught my eye…
My gin drinking days in Africa came flooding back, those memories of a G&T on the terrace after an exhausting day of food distribution to starving refugees. Bombay Sapphire, right here in Svirce!
And not just Bombay Sapphire, my favourite gin in the world. But how about this for an impresive range of spirits available directly from the winery:
Vermouth Benedetto
Martini Vermouth
Martini D&G
Sierra Tequila Silver
Sierra Tequila Gold
Sierra Tequila Antique
Cognac Otard
Dewars Whisky
Bacardi CB
Bacardi Premium Black
Bacardi Oro
Bacardi Gold
Bacardi 8 Anos
Bacardi Mojito C.C.
Bacardi Breezer
Bacardi Oakheart
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Grey Goose Vodka
Disaronno
Amaro
Tia Maria
The reason, of course, is the partnership between drinks company Badel 1862 and the Svirce Cooperative. A really impressive list of wines and spirits. The cooperative is open daily untl 15:00, so simply drive in and check out the selection. Or visit their wine shops on the Jelsa waterfront by the main square, or the old town of Stari Grad.
Or visit the Svirce Cooperative website for more details.
