+385 99 821 5383 info@daviho.com

Winemaking and the most popular wines of Dalmatia

Believe it or not, in Dalmatia we produce wines since ancient times!

In other words, or numbers – grapes and wine were produced in this area as early as 3800 years ago by our ‘wine ancestors” – Illyrians. Later, we have most to be grateful to Greeks and Romans for developing viniculture. Wine had a special status in the Croatian Court, in the late Middle age. The main economic activity of the cities in Dalmatia back then was wine growing and production of wine.

Glass of wine - more than just a drink

Today, there are almost a hundred indigenous types of grapes in this region. People drink wines all day, every day. Not only on holidays, not only for special occasions. In Dalmatia, people often drink wine with a little water, so don’t find it awkward if you see that atypical non-European mixture. We call it ‘bevanda’ and some elders say, we mix it with water so we can drink it from the morning to the night. On some islands, kids will drink it as well. But of course, less wine and more water! Wine is not only a drink – a local remedy of boiled wine with lots of sugar can cure cold. The most popular wines of Dalmatia are those from islands of Korčula (white Pošip and Grk), Hvar ( red Plavac and white Bogdanuša) and peninsula of Pelješac ( red Little Blue). On the mainland, good idea is to visit Primošten or Drniš and try a glass of Debit or Babić. Dalmatia is home to a number of fantastic wineries that have much to offer.

The best-rated wineries are producing less than 50,000 bottles per year, and Dingač from peninsula Pelješac or Babić from Šibenik and Primošten are exquisite wines. Numerous awards are a measure of the value of these wines, including not only the silver and gold medals but also the champion trophies won at the vocational assessments at international wine fairs in Croatia and abroad.

Today, there are almost a hundred indigenous types of grapes in this region. People drink wine all day, every day.

Time to taste the most popular wines of Dalmatia

But before you do your wine trips, best to start your wine journey is to book ‘Wine tasting’ at our Dalmatian Wine house on the Roman terrace.

Listening interesting stories from our lovely sommelier, following by extra moist finger food and three selected wines of Dalmatia, you will become a real wine lover! During wine tasting you will try three types of authentical dalmatian wine. 

One of them is the famous American variety Zinfandel (the same as grape variety Crljenak) and it’s proved by the latest scientific researches that it originated in Dalmatia, where it was cultivated since the Middle Age when it was called Tribidrag. During wine tasting the goal is to surprise your tastes and please even the most discerning palates of delicious wine/food lovers. In the end, as our special guest, you can take a bottle of ‘wine to go’ ( on 50% discount)! 

Wine tasting

But before you do your wine trips, best to start your wine journey is to book ‘Wine tasting’ at our Dalmatian Wine house

After wine - peka and more wine!

Since you’ve already discovered Dalmatian wine house and felt aromas of wines od Dalmatia, you should taste a great and world-famous traditional dalmatian dish – peka. Fish or meat, your choice. And your pleasure. Just keep in mind you have to order it at least 3 hours in advance, and you can book it  here.

Here, in Dalmatia,  it is said that wine is „A gift from God, a teardrop of the soil and a sweat drop of the peasant“. So, don’t go back home missing this important moment of dalmatian gastronomy. Ensure (at least) one of the most popular dalmatian wines at Diocletian’s Wine House

Leave a Reply