Wine Tasting by Sea: Visiting Hvar's Best Coastal Wineries by Boat (2026)

The Most Scenic Wine Tasting in Croatia

Hvar has been producing wine for over 2,400 years — the ancient Greeks planted the first vines here in the 4th century BC. Today, the island's southern coast is home to some of Croatia's most exciting small wineries, many perched on dramatic cliffs above the Adriatic.

The best part? Several of these wineries are most easily reached by boat, making a wine-tasting day trip one of the most unique experiences you can have on the island.

The Star Grape: Plavac Mali

The signature red grape of Hvar is Plavac Mali — a bold, full-bodied red with dark fruit, spice, and minerality. It's genetically related to Zinfandel, so if you enjoy Californian reds, you'll love this.

The best Plavac Mali comes from vineyards on steep, south-facing slopes directly above the sea — exactly the terrain you'll see on Hvar's southern coast between Sveta Nedjelja and Ivan Dolac. The combination of intense sunlight, sea spray, and rocky soil produces grapes with extraordinary concentration.

Zlatan Otok: The Underwater Cellar

Located in the village of Sveta Nedjelja, Zlatan Otok is one of Croatia's most famous wineries and a highlight of any south coast boat trip. What makes it unique for boaters is its private marina — you can pull your boat right up to their pier and walk straight into the winery.

Head downstairs to explore their underground cellar at sea level, where wines age in barrels just metres from the Adriatic. Then sit down for a tasting — their Zlatan Plavac Grand Cru is a powerful red that captures the intensity of the Hvar sun, and the white Pošip is crisp and refreshing after a morning on the water.

Pair the tasting with a light lunch at their terrace restaurant — a plate of local (dry-cured ham), (aged sheep's cheese from the island of Pag), olives, and freshly baked bread, all overlooking the sea. It's the kind of lunch that makes you never want to leave.