Our Fabulous Ladies Wine Tour of Slovenia & Croatia has now taken us into Croatia – a country where the vineyards tumble down to the Adriatic, ancient dry-stone walls carve the hillsides, and every glass seems to carry the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

Croatia has four broad wine zones – Istria, Kvarner, Dalmatia and Continental – but along the coast is where you’ll find the country’s most distinctive and exciting wines. Let’s take a quick tour through the key regions and grapes.

Istria – Malvazija & Teran

At the very top of Croatia’s coastline lies Istria, often compared to Tuscany for its rolling hills, olive groves and gastronomy. Two grapes dominate here:

• Malvazija Istarska – the star white. Crisp and citrusy in its lighter forms, but also complex and textural when aged on lees or fermented in amphora.
• Teran – a spicy, brisk red with plenty of acidity and dark berry fruit, perfect with hearty Istrian fare.

Around the town of Momjan, don’t miss Muškat Momjanski – an aromatic Muscat Blanc often made in lightly sweet styles. Producers like Kabola are reviving ancient amphora techniques, blending heritage with innovation.

Kvarner – Žlahtina by the Sea (base: Opatija)

East of Istria lies the Kvarner gulf and its islands. From our base in Opatija, we explore the local white Žlahtina on the island of Krk, especially around Vrbnik.

Light, saline and refreshing, Žlahtina is made for the region’s famous scampi and seafood. Its name comes from an old Slavic word for “noble” – a nod to its long heritage.

Central Dalmatia – Debit, Maraština and Babić

Further south, the stony landscapes around Šibenik and Primošten produce distinctive whites and reds.

• Debit – an easy-drinking, citrus-fresh white perfect for daytime sipping.
• Maraština (also known as Rukatac) – fuller, stone-fruited, sometimes used in dessert wines.
• Babić – a powerful, structured red grown in the famous “stone lace” vineyards of Primošten, where vines are interlaced with dry-stone walls that gleam in the sun.

Split & the Coast – Pošip Leads the Way

Pošip originated on Korčula, but you’ll find it poured widely along the Dalmatian coast – and we’ll be tasting it around Split. Expect ripe peach and apricot, fennel hints and a lovely natural structure that sings with grilled fish.

For the curious, another rarity to keep an eye out for is Grk, grown almost exclusively in sandy soils near Lumbarda on Korčula. Even if we won’t reach the island, it’s worth knowing about this unicorn grape.

Pelješac – Home of Plavac Mali

The Pelješac Peninsula is the beating heart of Croatia’s reds. Here, steep, sun-drenched slopes produce Plavac Mali, a grape closely related to Zinfandel (Primitivo).

The most famous sites are Dingač and Postup, Croatia’s first protected appellations (dating back to the early 1960s and 1967 respectively). These wines are big, bold and powerful – bursting with blackberry, dried fig and Mediterranean herbs.

And of course, no visit to Pelješac is complete without a stop for Mali Ston oysters, best enjoyed with a chilled glass of Pošip.

Dubrovnik & Konavle – Malvasija Dubrovačka

Finally, as we arrive in Dubrovnik and the Konavle Valley, we meet a grape with deep roots: Malvasija Dubrovačka. Nearly lost in the last century, it has been lovingly revived and is now a proud emblem of Dubrovnik’s wine culture. Full-bodied, aromatic and honeyed, it’s a fitting finale to Croatia’s wine journey.

Why Croatian Wine Belongs on Your Radar

Croatia’s wines are as dramatic and diverse as its coastline – from the fresh, saline Žlahtina of Kvarner, to the bold Plavac Mali of Pelješac, and the rare treasures like Grk and Malvasija Dubrovačka. They speak of sun, stone, and sea – and they deserve a place on every adventurous wine lover’s table.

As we sip our way south along the Adriatic this week, we’ll raise a glass to Croatia’s vineyards, where history and modernity meet in every drop.