Taste Hvar!

Find out more about the programs Wine tasting and culture, Where the wine future begins, Gentle aromatic walk, Culinary island picnic...

Wine tasting

Meet the winemaker whose wines have been called a benchmark for the future millennium by the respected wine magazine 'La Revue du vin de France''. Taste wines from Croatia's first and only eco-winery, from specially monitored vineyards in the southern hills of Hvar that won both the Paris World Wine Contest and Decanter World Wine Awards in London. Meet Croatia's leading ''garage“ winemaker and taste wines which are now one of the most expensive in Croatia. Find out what it's like to try ''2718 hours of sun in the bottle''. Come with us to the highest peak on the island and take in the magical view of Hvar's most lush vineyards.  Discover the secrets of plavac mali grape variety, enjoy local brandy infused with local aromatic herbs—taste the true flavors of Hvar island!

You can visit any ONE of the following four wineries:
1. Bastijana – Mr. Andro Tomić
2. Duboković Medvid – Mr. Ivo Duboković
3. Agricultural Cooperative Svirče
4. Zlatan Otok  - Mr. Zlatan Plenković

To learn more about each winery please read description of our  Where the wine future begins tour.

Itinerary: This sublime half-day program visits the most outstanding wineries on the island.  Just a short 25 minute drive from Hvar town and we're in wine country!  After a tour of the cellars and production facilities, you'll be invited to participate in a 4-course tasting paired with local food delicacies.
Meeting point: Your hotel front desk
Departure time: Mornings between 10 AM – 12 noon and afternoons 1 PM – 2 PM. Most of these tours can also be arranged at any time convenient for you, so please let us know what your unique requirements are and we will be happy to get back to you with the particulars and our price.
End location: At yor discretion
Duration: Half-day program, 3-4 hours
Minimum: 2 people
What is included: Pick up, the program as described, car transfer to winery and back, 4-course wine tasting paired with finest local delicacies.
What is extra: This program does not include lunch, but you can bring a picnic lunch (or we can suggest places to dine at); it does not include gratuities to guides and items purchased for personal use.
Tour type: Gastronomy, history and culture, for individuals, couples and families.
Transportation: comfortable air-conditioned 8 seat van or Toyota Landrcuiser or Mitsubishi Pajero – both 4WD vehicles.
Activity Level: Light
Disabilities friendly:  Yes
Kids Friendly: Yes 
Min: 2 persons

Where the wine future begins

A  full day of wine and great food with visits to two of Croatia's premier wineries, followed by a delightful olive grove picnic!

Plavac mali is the most known autochthonic grape variety in Croatia and in the Dalmatian region. First brought here by Greeks over 2230 years ago, Hvar’s ancient vineyards and olive groves have been recognized by UNESCO and are now protected as a World Heritage Site, the oldest continuously cultivated agricultural plain in the world!
Admired by wine enthusiasts around the globe, plavac mali’s fame might never have happened if wasn’t for Croatia’s most famous winemaker, Mike Grgich.  As a young Croat, Mike left his native land with $30 in his pocket to find his fortune in America. Today, this legendary founder of Grgich Hills Winery in California,  partner of the Mondavi family (and creator of their best chardonnay) and the pioneer of USA wine production in Napa Valley is famous the world over as the wine-maker who stunned the world by winning the famous 1976 Paris blind wine tasting (made into the movie “Bottle Shock”).
For years Mike and a few of his fellow Croatians were convinced that the roots of zinfandel, “America’s grape”, were really Dalmatian. After years of research and DNA testing, Grgich was proved right.  Not only was zinfandel Croatian, but it was traced to a small village in Kastela, between Split and Trogir. Another local cultivar, Dobricic, from the island of Solta, was later found to be one of the parents of plavac mali which together with plavac mali and plavina, further proved a “first-degree” relationship of zinfandel.  As Grgich himself said:

‘’Apart from the genes of zinfandel, plavac mali has genes of dobričić, a sort that has more colour than zinfandel, and has a thicker foreskin which is prevention from rottening. I’m predicting a worldwide future for plavac mali, and I strongly believe that it will replace Italian primitivo and American zinfandel.’’
''Zinfandel goes to history and future of red wines lies in plavac mali''.

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 will visit one of the most famous Croatian winemakers, the  Bastijana wine cellar.
Winery 1: Bastijana Our tour of the winery includes both production and cellar storage facilities (loaded with barrique barrels) with an organized wine tasting in 4 courses that will be combined with island finest local appetizers. Our host will be Mr. Andro Tomić, 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 – Duboković & 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 wine production on grapes purchased from other farmers can’t possibly be as good as coming from one's own vineyard. Isn’t it wonderful that we have blind tasting 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 lovers all over the world.  Here in Croatia, Duboković wines have become a ''must have'' in the finest restaurants, hotels and specialized wine shops.  Duboković – Medvid wines now have the distinction of being the most expensive regular vintage wines in the country!
After Duboković 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 Bojanić.  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 savour the subtle flavours 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 in the unspoiled nature.

Meeting point: Your hotel front desk
Departure time: Mornings between 10 AM – 12 noon and afternoons 1 PM – 4 PM. This tour can also be arranged at any time 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: At your discretion
Duration: Full day program, 6-8 hours
What is 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 and caramelized almond – traditional Hvar type of sweets

Beverage
Grappa – local brandy, wine, water, coffee

What is extra: Gratuities to guides and items purchased for personal use.
Tour type: Gastronomy, history and culture, for individuals, couples and families.
Transportation: Toyota Landrcuiser or Mitsubishi Pajero – both 4WD vehicles.
Activity Level: Light
Disabilities friendly:  Yes
Kids Friendly: Yes
Min: 2 persons

Roman feast

In the history of civilization no one celebrated food and wine like the Romans did. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time and attend a Roman feast? Join us in the ancient Roman hall of the Bastijana wine cellar for a special meal based on recipes that can be traced back to antiquity. The meal is served using dishes and clothing appropriate for that time period, and will be a treat for food and history lovers alike. This experience is only avaialble for a group of 6 people or more.  It's a perfect way to surprise your family or friends for a birthday or anniversary dinner—and we can arrange for musicians, an artistic performance or anything you want!

Tour description: This is a half day tour that takes place in an ancient Roman-type cellar or dining hall. Your feast will be prepared in the old traditional Roman way and served with fine local wine. Each server will be dressed in clothes that were worn during Roman times.
Meet up location: Your hotel front desk
Departure time: Lunch time 12 noon – 2 PM and evening 6 PM – 8PM. This tour can also be arranged at any time convenient for you, so please let us know what your unique requirements are and we will be happy to get back to you with the particulars and our price.
End location: At your discretion
Duration: Half-day program
What is included: Pick up, the program as described, car transfer to Bastijana winery and back, private guide/driver, 5-course Roman feast menu with beverages and wine, return to the place of your choice.
What's extra: Gratuities to guides and items purchased for personal use.
Tour type: Gastronomy, history and culture, for individuals, couples and families.
Transportation: comfortable air-conditioned 8-seat van or Toyota Landrcuiser or Mitsubishi Pajero – both 4WD vehicles.
Activity Level: Light
Disabilities friendly: Yes
Kids Friendly: Yes 
Min: 6 persons

Island culinary picnic

Our island culinary picnic takes place at the olive oil grove house of one of the best olive oil producers in Croatia, Borivoj Bojanic. The extra virgin here is known as island green gold, and it's famed for its subtle flavour and distinct piquant taste. All of the herbs and vegetables used in the preparation of your meal are just as special.  Each is planted and cultivated on sustainable and environmentally responsible principles. And the setting for our picnic couldn't be more perfect-an amazing view of Hvar's over 2230 years old Ager field, the oldest preserved agriculture plain in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  What a perfect afternoon-enjoying island life, cuisine, unspoiled nature and a fabulous host!  Our culinary picnic is not just great for families and groups, but if you want to surprise your beloved with romantic place for dinner, or want to have unique celebration place for birthday or anniversary lunch/dinner on Hvar we can arrange a private affair. Just let us know what you would like—from special decorations to custom birthday cakes—and we will make it happen!

Tour description: This half day tour takes you to an olive grove in picturesque middle Hvar Island village overlooking a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your meal will be prepared in a traditional island way, cooked over an open fire and served by the island's best olive oil producer Mr. Borivoj Bojanić and his wife.
Meeting point: We will pick you up at your hotel front desk office.
Departure time: Lunch time 12 noon – 2 PM and evening 6 PM – 8 PM. This tour can also be arranged at a time that is convenient for you, so please let us know what your unique requirements are and we will be happy to get back to you with the particulars and our price.
End location: At your discretion
Duration: Half-day program
What is included: Pick up, the program as described, transfer to olive grove and back, 4-course lunch or dinner with beverages included.

Island culinary picnic menu:
Appetizer
Local cheese with island extra virgin olive oil/marinated anchovies and olive patè
Main course
Barbeque
or
Stewed fish prepared the ''hunter's way'' on an open fire
or
Grilled fish
or
Grilled fish wrapped in bacon
Dessert
Fritule – local biscuit, caramelized almond – a traditional Hvar type of sweets

Beverage
Grappa – local brandy, local wine, water, coffee

What is extra: Gratuities to guides and items purchased for personal use.
Tour type: Gastronomy, history and culture, for individuals, couples and families.
Transportation: comfortable air-conditioned 8-seat van or  Toyota Landrcuiser or Mitsubishi Pajero – both 4WD vehicles.
Activity level: Light
Disabilities friendly:  Yes
Kids friendly: Yes 
Min: 2 persons

For more information on these programs, please contact us on concierge@suncanihvar.com.