Konavle wine tasting tour from Dubrovnik with 2 vinery’s

Konavle is a wine detour that feels real. This tour takes you from Dubrovnik into the Konavle wine country for tastings focused on local grapes and small-producer hospitality, plus a relaxed stop in Mlini after. I like that you sample four wines at each winery (including indigenous varieties like Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština) and you also get a proper food spread, not just a sip-and-run.

One thing to keep in mind: the second winery experience can feel more low-key depending on the host’s style, so if you’re craving a very talkative tasting, you may want to go in with flexible expectations.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Two family wineries in Konavle and Zastolje: hands-on tastings with local producers.
• Indigenous grapes get real attention: Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština, plus others like Veritas and Vranac.
• Food is part of the deal: homemade plates, olive oil, cheese, meats, and sweet arancini (orange peel).
• A guide who makes the drive matter: guides such as Miro, Marco, and Ivo are specifically praised for friendliness and information.
• Bonus time in Mlini: a seaside reset with options for drinks and food on your own.

Konavle Wine Country: Local Grapes You’ll Actually Remember

Konavle sits in the far reaches near Dubrovnik, and the wines here reflect that. You’re not stuck in the same global lineup of Chardonnay and Cabernet. Instead, this day highlights grapes that are tied to the area, including Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština, varieties that have been nearly lost and are now being conserved and restored.

Alongside those indigenous stars, you’ll also run into international classics grown locally, like Merlot, and other regional favorites. At the tastings you’ll sample a mix of styles and personalities: lighter aromatics, deeper reds, and the kind of grape-driven flavors that only make sense when you taste them in the valley they come from.

What I like most is that the tour isn’t pretending Konavle is a theme park. It feels like you’re sitting with people who still make wine for the next vintage, not just the next Instagram shot.

Getting From Dubrovnik to Konavle: Timing That Works

This is a half-day style outing, about 4 to 6 hours total. Each winery stop runs about an hour, then you get about two hours in Mlini after the tastings. Pickup is offered, and you’ll use a mobile ticket. The total group size can be up to 99, but you can also choose a private tour option for small groups.

Your day runs smoothly when you show up ready to taste. The vehicle and pacing matter, and a clean, air-conditioned car is something that’s been mentioned in feedback, along with guides who are helpful and upbeat during the ride.

One practical note: the operator requires a minimum number of travelers to run this as scheduled. If there aren’t enough people, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund, and if you have fewer participants, a private tour may be offered. That matters if you’re planning around a tight Dubrovnik itinerary or a cruise day.

Stop 1 in Zastolje at BRAJKOVIĆ: Orange-Peel Sweet and the Real Local Lineup

Your first winery stop is in Zastolje, at Winery BRAJKOVIĆ, described as an oasis in the heart of Konavle. This is a small family setup, which is exactly what you want for a regional wine day. The tastings here are structured, and you’ll get a clear sense of how these grapes taste outside of a tasting room stereotype.

At BRAJKOVIĆ, the experience includes:

• Four local wines: Malvasia, Maraština, Veritas, and Vranac
• One wine liqueur
• Arancini, described here as a sweet made from orange peel
• A plate of homemade products: bread, extra virgin olive oil, cheese, dry bacon, and dry sausage

If you like learning by taste, this stop delivers. Malvasia and Maraština are doing the heavy lifting in terms of identity, while Veritas and Vranac add contrast. The wine liqueur is a nice bonus if you enjoy moving from dry to sweet without feeling like the day is over.

What to watch for

At least one detail can be easy to miss: the homemade items available for purchase can be cash-only. If you want to pick up something from the property, bring some cash so you don’t get stuck mid-shopping.

Who this stop fits best

This is the kind of tasting where you’ll feel comfortable asking questions. It’s also a strong choice if you care about indigenous grapes and want the day to feel anchored in Konavle, not just “some vineyards near Dubrovnik.”

Stop 2 in Konavle at VODOPIĆ: Malvasia, Maraština, Merlot, and Rose

Next you move into Konavle itself for Winery VODOPIĆ, also positioned as an oasis in the heart of the region. This is another family winery, and the day keeps the focus on local bottles rather than trying to cram too many styles into too little time.

At VODOPIĆ, your tasting typically includes:

• Four wines: Malvasija, Maraština, Merlot, and Rose
• One wine liqueur
• A homemade food plate: bread, olives, cheese, prosciutto, and buđola

That lineup gives you a useful comparison. You’ll see the indigenous grapes again through Malvasia and Maraština, then you get Merlot and Rose for broader context. Buđola, in particular, is the kind of regional touch that turns a wine day into a food day.

A small consideration before you book

The second winery can vary by day and by the host’s approach. Some people have described the VODOPIĆ stop as less conversational, where wine gets poured and the host doesn’t do as much explaining. That doesn’t mean the wine isn’t good. It does mean you should treat this stop as part tasting, part atmosphere, and don’t assume you’ll get a long, guided lecture every time.

Who this stop fits best

If you want variety within the same indigenous framework, VODOPIĆ is a smart second stop. It’s also a good match if you like to taste the same grape types across different producers and see how they express the valley.

The Mlini Bonus Stop: A Seaside Reset After Wine

After the two wineries, you get a bonus visit to Mlini, on the Dubrovnik Riviera (Mlini-Srebreno). This is not a formal museum-style stop. It’s time to breathe and enjoy the coast.

You can choose what you do with the time, including:

• Going to a beach bar for a drink like wine, beer, cocktails, or juice
• Trying something like pancakes if the bar offers them
• Walking the seaside for fresh air and views

You’ll appreciate this part more if you plan your alcohol pacing. Two winery tastings can add up, and Mlini gives you an easy, low-pressure way to transition from wine mode to normal touring again.

Practical move: wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in, even if you only stroll along the water. You’ll likely want to take a slow loop, partly because it helps you reset, partly because the light and views are the kind you’ll remember later when the wine flavors fade.

Price and Value: Is $225.31 Fair for Two Tastings and Food?

At $225.31 per person, this is not a bargain-basement wine trip. But it also isn’t just paying for a bus ride. You’re paying for a structured half-day with two winery experiences, snacks, and alcoholic beverages included.

What makes the price feel more reasonable:

• You get two separate tastings, not one quick stop
• You typically sample multiple wines at each winery, including local indigenous varieties
• You receive food at both stops, including homemade spreads and regional items
• Pickup is offered, which removes one big headache from Dubrovnik planning

Where the value can feel thin:

• If you expect a heavy amount of guided storytelling at both stops, the second winery experience can be more quiet
• If you were hoping to leave with a lot of bottles, that may happen sometimes at certain wineries, but it’s not guaranteed as a universal feature

So my advice is simple. If you want a guided way to taste Konavle’s main grapes and you enjoy good food alongside wine, the price is easier to justify. If you’re looking for a long, high-energy, talk-every-minute wine lecture, you may feel underwhelmed.

The Guides: Why Miro, Marco, and Ivo Matter

This tour lives or dies on the drive and the pacing, and the guide experience here has been a strong point. Names that show up in feedback include Miro, Marco, and Ivo.

Across these examples, the common thread is that guides are friendly, helpful, and willing to talk during the journey. Some people also mentioned that the guide added extra sightseeing options based on preferences. If you like the “small talk plus local context” style, this tour tends to match that vibe.

Also, a clean vehicle and comfort during the ride have been mentioned, which matters because you’re spending several hours out of Dubrovnik. A comfortable car makes the whole day feel calmer, even when you’re doing tastings back to back.

Who Should Book This Konavle Tour From Dubrovnik?

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want to taste indigenous Croatian varieties like Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština
• Like small family wineries and food paired with wine
• Prefer a half-day plan that doesn’t swallow your whole vacation
• Are curious about Konavle beyond the Dubrovnik old-town bubble

It’s also a good match for cruise-day planning if you want something off the main tourist routes. People have described the day as worth it when booked separately from a cruise schedule, mainly because it takes you into wine country instead of just looping around the obvious stops.

Who should manage expectations

If you’re the type who needs a constant flow of narration at every step, note that one of the winery hosts may be more hands-off. If you’re very price sensitive, you should also be clear with yourself about what’s included. This tour includes tastings and food, but the overall pace is still half-day, so it won’t feel like a full wine immersion.

My Booking Checklist for a Smooth Day

Here’s how to set yourself up for a great Konavle day.

• Bring cash if you want to buy homemade items at BRAJKOVIĆ, since homemade goods can be cash-only.
• Plan your water and pacing. You’ll drink at least a set of tastings across two wineries, and then you may grab a drink in Mlini.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection for Mlini. You’ll likely want to walk along the coast.
• If you care about the indigenous varieties, ask your guide to point out what you’re tasting. The grapes like Malvasia and Maraština are the reason to choose this route.
• If you’re booking last-minute, double-check how the day is arranged for your party size. The operator can offer alternatives or switch you to a private tour if the minimum group requirement isn’t met.

Should You Book This Konavle Wine Tasting Tour With Two Wineries?

Yes, if you want a straightforward half-day from Dubrovnik that focuses on Konavle’s real wine identity. This tour does a good job mixing indigenous grapes, regional food, and a relaxed seaside finish in Mlini. BRAJKOVIĆ tends to deliver especially memorable hospitality and a fuller, more hands-on feel, including local snacks like the orange-peel arancini.

Book with care if you’re expecting the same level of host engagement at both wineries every time, or if you’re looking for a ultra-cheap deal. The experience is best when you treat it as tastings plus food plus a drive through wine country, not a long, deep lecture marathon.

If that sounds like your kind of day, I think you’ll like it a lot.

FAQ

How long is the Konavle wine tasting tour from Dubrovnik?

It lasts about 4 to 6 hours, with around 1 hour at each winery and about 2 hours in Mlini.

What is included in the tour price?

Snacks and alcoholic beverages are included.

Which wineries do you visit?

You visit Winery BRAJKOVIĆ in Zastolje and Winery VODOPIĆ in Konavle, with an additional time stop in Mlini.

Is pickup provided?

Pickup is offered, and you’ll also have a mobile ticket.

Can this tour be private?

There is an option for a private tour for small groups.

Is there a minimum number of travelers?

Yes. The tour needs a minimum number of travelers (minimum 4). If there are fewer, the operator may offer a private tour or cancel with a full refund or an alternative.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to that point.