The old town of Korčula can be seen as a smallish island, connected to the island of Korčula mainland by a narrow strip of land, right where the quite famous city steps are. On that small island, a central and the highest location is usually reserved for the church, and Korčula is no exception there. And, on the narrow street taking you from the main square in front of the church to the western port, the one of those streets in Korčula with the most amazing views (called the Ismaelli Street), the wine bar called 800 is located (for a bit of Dalmatian kitsch, and a view down the street on the best of sunsets, click here).
The name does not reflect the number of wines on their wine list; it is in fact a reminder of 800 years since the statute of the town of Korčula was written. That happened in 1214, so you can do the math and figure out that this wine bar has not been open long, but in the few years it opens during the summer months, it has become an instant hit. Wonderful centre-of-town, small street, atmosphere, one of the most amazing sunsets in the world, friendly and helpful staff certainly helped attract many customers, and the wine list that was meticulously crafted certainly played a central role. As the management of the bar says, their bar offers some well-known local favourites, but also it gives you the opportunity to taste (and buy!) some of the wines that are rare and can be considered somewhat of an oddity.
The bar is, of course, focused on local wines, since this is a region that can proudly offer the wines made on the island almost exclusively, so you’ll be able to have some of the best grk (by Bire and two Cebalos), pošip (Krajančić, Baničević, Korta Katarina) and plavac mali (only one from Korčula, from Bire; but many other from Pelješac – Marlais, Rota, Mrgudić-Bura, Kiriđija) from the region. There’s “imported wine” as well, Trapan and Peršurić malvazija, Toljanić žlahtina, Galić graševina and sauvignon blanc, Tomac sparkling wine, Duboković’s plavac from Hvar, Gracin’s babić from Primošten, Coronica Teran and Meneghetti merlot among others. They also offer a nice selection of dessert wines, including Momjanski Muškat from Istria, Tomić’s and Duboković’s prošek from Hvar and Bolfan’s traminac from the North.
The 800 bar also offers some specials during the summer, where some of the wines are offered at a lower price. Usually, the prices are quite expected for a wine bar at such a great location, and during the summer evenings the bar is usually full, and people are waiting for someone to stand up from those logs that are used as seats on the street, so that they can sit and enjoy a Korčula evening.
800 Wine Bar and Shop
Ulica Ismailli
20260 Korčula
Phone: +385 (0)9827501
