The Underwater Wine Cellars Of Croatia Beneath The Adriatic Sea
Croatia’s Adriatic coastline is renowned for its stunning beauty and vibrant culture, attracting countless tourists each year. While many visitors flock to popular destinations like Dubrovnik, there are hidden gems along the coast that offer a unique and unforgettable experience. One such hidden gem is the underwater winery located in Drače, nestled between Ston and Orebić, on the Pelješac Peninsula.
Edivo Vina winery, the first of its kind in Croatia, offers visitors the opportunity to explore submerged wine jugs and a sunken ship in Mali Ston Bay. For those who prefer to stay dry, an above-ground winery is also available. The highlight of the visit is the chance to witness Navis Mysterium, the winery’s signature wine, which is aged in clay amphorae below the Adriatic Sea.
The winemaking process at Edivo Vina is truly unique. Around 5,000 bottles of wine are initially aged above ground for three months. They are then carefully sealed in amphorae, which are clay jugs with two handles and a narrow neck. These amphorae are submerged below the water for one to two years. To ensure the wine remains intact, each bottle is corked and protected with two layers of rubber to prevent saltwater from seeping in and the wine from escaping. The amphorae are securely packaged in cages and locked to deter any unauthorized divers from tampering with them. The natural cooling properties of the sea provide an ideal environment for wine storage.
The winery owners faced challenges during the experimentation phase. They needed to determine if it was possible to place a glass bottle directly inside the amphora without compromising the wine’s quality. After extensive testing, using a glass bottle with double-layered rubber, they submerged it in the sea at a depth of 18-25 meters for over 700 days. The successful outcome of this experiment marked the creation of something extraordinary and historic. The combination of the Adriatic Sea’s unique essence, the exquisite Plavac wine from Janjina, clay from Petrinja baked in traditional methods, wrought iron stands from Sisak, pinewood boxes crafted in Varaždin, and glass and cork materials all contribute to a truly Croatian product.
Visitors to the winery can indulge in a diverse selection of wines, including Navis Mysterium Amphora, Navis Mysterium Bottle, Dingač Edivo, Plavac Edivo Bottle, and Q Edivo Bottle. The opportunity to taste these wines in such a remarkable setting adds to the overall experience.
Tours of the underwater wine cellars are conducted once a day during the winter season (from November 1st to April 1st) and twice a day in the summertime. Certified PADI instructors guide visitors on the diving excursion, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. The group sizes are kept small, and the number of participants depends on their diving experience. It is essential for visitors to hold a diving license to partake in this adventure and have the opportunity to retrieve their very own bottle of red wine from beneath the chilly waters of the Adriatic Sea.
To reach Pelješac, as it lacks its own commercial airport, most visitors will begin their journey in one of Croatia’s major cities, such as Dubrovnik, which is the closest, Split, or Zadar.
For those seeking an extraordinary wine-tasting experience intertwined with the beauty of the Adriatic Sea, a visit to the underwater wine cellars of Croatia is a must. This hidden gem on the Pelješac Peninsula offers an unparalleled adventure that combines the flavors of Croatian wine with the enchantment of the submerged world.
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