A full day of wine and great food visiting two of Croatia’s premier wineries followed by a delightful olive grove picnic
What can one expect from a full day wine tour on an island with a 2400 wine-making tradition?
Wine tasting is obviously an essential part of the day, but at Hvar Wine Tours, we want you to undertand the history, the traditions of Hvar wine, and to fall in love with the island and its wines the way we have.
Our tour takes in two of the most charisamtic and respected winemakers in Croatia, both based in the picturesque wine town of Jelsa. French-educated Andro Tomic combines some Gallic flair with Roman tradition in his sensational wine tasting cellars, which are based on the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace itself, and his exceptional use of indigenous grapes as well as international varieties is a wonderful journey of discovery.
Much smaller in production, but far more experiemental with his range of 11 wines made from indigenous grapes from the island, the Ivo Dubokovic candlelit tasting experiene in his family konoba could not be more intimate. Add to that a selection of his excellent flaoured olive oils, and here is the perfect introduction to the fruits of Hvar, expertly handled.
So much for the tasting, but that is just one part of your Hvar Wine Tours day. For to truly understand Hvar and its wines, it is important to hear the history, to visit the vineyards and olive groves, and a splendid lunch in one of the most attractive (and secret) olive groves on the island awaits, offering spectacular vistas over Hvar wine country and the Adriatic.
And all along the way, our expert wine guide – local, passionate – will slowly help you fall in love with the magic of Hvar and its incredible wines.
Tour description:
Our glorious full day tour begins in the ‘’heart of Hvar Island’’. We’ll head south, passing thought the island’s 1400 meter long stone tunnel to finally reach the island’s most important wine region—the lush vineyards located on the shoreside cliffs. Continuing further to Jelsa we’ll visit one of the most famous Croatian winemakers, the Bastijana Wine cellar.
Winery 1: Bastijana Our tour of the winery includes both their production and cellar storage facilities (loaded with barique barrels) and an organized wine tasting in 4 courses that will be combined with island finest local appetizers. Our host will be Mr. Andro Tomic , one of the most famous wine producers in Croatia. His wines have conquered and dazzled the world many times over and continue to do so. ‘’La Revue du vin de France’’, the respected wine magazine, distinguished his wines as being a benchmark for the future millennium. We invite you try his Mali Plavac, made from grapes grown on the southern hills. You’ll also enjoy his award-wining port wine, Hektor, which is an almost unheard of variety.
Winery 2: Medvid – Dubokovic & 2718 hours of sun in the bottle. Our program continues as we meet the leading Croatian “garage” winemaker to taste wines that have become the most sought after in the country. The reason? You’ll taste what it’s like to try ”2718 hours in the bottle”. The term “garage” winemaker is sarcastically used by big Bordeaux wine producers and vineyard landlords to denigrate young and ambitious ”wine newcomers” without vineyards or with very small land plots. Their feeling is that basing wine production on grapes purchased from other farmers can’t possibly be as good as coming from your own vineyard. Isn’t it wonderful that we have blind taste tests to prove which wine truly deserves to be called great instead of just looking at a famous label? The ultimate truth test isn’t just winning awards, it’s the palate of wine drinkers all over the world. Here in Croatia, Dubokovic wines have become a ”must have” in the finest restaurants, hotels and specialized wine shops. Dubokovic – Medvid wines now have the distinction of being the most expensive regular vintage wines in the country!
After the Dubokovic wine cellar tour and wine tasting we’ll head to an olive grove for a fabulous lunch/dinner (depending on the time of day). This trip ends with an authentic island culinary picnic at the picturesque village of Vrisnik. Your host is one of the best Croatian olive oil producers, Mr. Borivoj Bojanic. His grove has an amazing view of Hvar’s 2234 year-old Ager field, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the oldest preserved agriculture plain in the world.. As you savor the subtle flavors of all the local herbs and condiments used in the preparation of your meal and gaze out at Ager field, you will understand the essence of island living among unspoiled nature.
Meeting point:
We will pick you up at your hotel, villa, private accommodation, where your boat is moored or meet you at one of our four tour booths in Hvar Town. We will agree on this when the tour is booked. Departure time: Mornings between 10 – 12Noon and afternoons 1 – 4PM. This tour can also be arranged at a time that is convenient for you, so please ask us what your unique requirements are and we will be happy to get back to you with the particulars and our price.
End location:
We will end this tour where you wish – at the marina, your hotel, villa or private accommodation. Just let us know!
Duration:
This is a full day program, 6 – 8 hours
Tour price:
185 EUR/person for 1 – 4 pax – per whole tour
165 EUR/person for 5 – 12 pax – per whole tour
What’s included:
the program as described, pick up, wine tour guide/driver, air-conditioned 4 WD (Toyota Landrcuiser or Mitshubishi Pajero)
Lunch Menu:
Appetizer
Local cheese with island extra virgin olive oil/marinated anchovies and olive patè
Main Course
Barbeque
or stewed fish prepared in the ”hunter’s way” on an open fire
or grilled fish
or grilled fish wrapped up with bacon
Dessert
Fritule – local biscuit,
caramelized almond – traditional Hvar type of candy
Beverage
Grappa – local brandy, wine, water, coffee
What’s extra:
Gratuities to guides and items purchased for personal use.
Tour type:
Gastronomy, history and culture, for individuals, couples and families
Transportation method:
Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero – both 4WD vehicles.
Activity level:
Light
Disabilities friendly:
Yes
Kid friendly:
Yes
Min:
2 people
Contact HVAR TOURS
Plusculus putnicka agencija d.o.o.
Trg sv. Stjepana 7
21450 Hvar Town
Office: + 385 (0)21 741 824
GSM: + 385 (0)91 5821 824
GSM: + 385 (0)91 1741 028
Email: [email protected]
Skype user name: mthvar
