Korčula winemakers at Vinocom
Vinocom is a great place to explore Croatian wines, comparing the different varietals and styles of the winemakers. Unusually for Dalmatia, the island of Korčula is better known for its white wines, not red. Pošip, Grk, Cetinka and Rukatac are grapes native to the island, producing excellent wines with a very local character. We really enjoyed catching up with the Korčula winemakers, and finding out what’s new from them!
Bire – Višnja was showing the range of Bire wines from Lumbarda, including their classic Grk, plus an Opolo and a red from Plavac Mali. Grk vines being female only, they need another vine planted nearby to fertilise them, so Plavac Mali is known locally as the loverboy grape! The Bire Grk has a fine acidity, with notes of woody citrus.
Blato 1902, based towards the western end of Korčula were showing two whites – a lovely fresh Pošip 2013, and a Korčulanka blend 2016. In reds, they offer a Merlot, a Plavac, and a single vineyard Morkan Plavac, all 2013.
Cebalo is a small production winery from Lumbarda, pouring their 2015 Grk, plus an Opolo and red from Plavac Mali. Maja’s Grk has finely balanced acidity, very lively with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste.
Korčulavino Blato were showing their Korkyra, a lovely light blend of Pošip, Cetinka and Rukatac.
Korkyra blend
Kunjas, from Smokvica, were showing two Pošip wines, the Vilin Dol Pošip 2015 is a light fruity summer wine, while the Pošip Kunjas 2015 has a refined, herby appley flavour. While 90% of their production is Pošip, they also offer a rosé, which is a blend of Plavac Mali, Plavina and Shiraz grapes.
Kunjas wines
Nerica cooperative from Čara also have two Pošips on offer, the Pošip Nerica 2015 is a light fruity wine, while the Pošip Mindel 2015 sur lie is a classy young wine with a long finish and great potential!
Nerica Pošips
Pošip PZ, another cooperative from Čara, was showing their range of Pošips, and a Rukatac. Marko Polo 2015 is a well-known brand, and just a lovely basic Pošip. The next step up is the Pošip vrhunsko 2015, with a smooth herby floral flavour. There was also a Misno Vino Pošip 2015, made by the cooperative on behalf of the Dubrovnik Bishopric. The single-varietal Rukatac, also known elsewhere as Maraština, was a fresh taste of a summer meadow.
Pošip PZ wines
Radanović winery, along with a Pošip and a couple of Rukatac wines, also offer a sparkling wine – or pjenušac, as it’s known in Croatian. Let’s start with that! Pjenušac Tris is made from Cetinka, Rukatac and Pošip. For the still version, the majority is Cetinka, while the sparkling version is mostly Pošip. They also have two Rukatac wines, one a single vineyard, a Pošip amfora, and a Plavac Mali single barrel.
Zure winery get my award for the best labels of the show, with lively art by Stipe Nobilo! Based in Lumbarda, they produce both Pošip and Grk. In this case, the Grk is grown not only on the usual sandy soil, but also on karst land. The boyfriend vines are a variety of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Plavac Mali and Alicante bouschet, which also go into their red blend Rebellion.
Sadly, Vinarija Krajančić, which was listed in the program, was missing in action, so we didn’t get to taste Luka’s latest wines. So that’s it. Clearly we need another trip to Korčula to explore more!
Go Hvar 
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