Sailing in Croatia

Trstenik lies just to the South of the famed Dingac wine region of the Peljesac Peninsula. The Plavac Mali varietal grapes grown in this region are sold under the prestigious label Dingac and the high price reflects the high quality of wine as well as the effort required in tending and harvesting the grapes. These grapes, similar to the Plavac Mali grapes grown above Svelte Nedjeljia, are grown on steep slopes. The dryness of the soil and the sun shining directly onto the slopes as well as reflected from the water of the Peljesac Kanal onto the vineyards contributes to the quality of the wine made from these grapes.

 

 

 

For many years the grapes harvested from the Dingac slopes had to be loaded onto donkeys to be carried over the top of the mountain to Potomje, the town where the wineries were located. 50 years ago a tunnel was carved through the mountain, so the donkeys' duties became obsolete. Two of the wineries producing Dingac wine have donkeys depicted on their labels, reflecting the importance of this beast in the history of wine-making in the region.

 

Our guide, Ante Primorak, took us to 4 wineries, 3 of which produced Dingac wine.