Now this is something unique, an underwater wine cellar on Hvar Island. When you think about wines and wine tasting, you imagine lush vineyards and wide terraces. Hvar Island has all of these, but this winery located in Sveta Nedjelja is something different. This will be a story of Croatia’s underwater winery we have visited many times, and we don’t even count how many, and we always leave with at least one bottle of red wine.
The winery we are talking about is Zlatan Otok, one of the most famous Hvar wineries, located in Sveta Nedjelja, a coastal village in a more peaceful part of Hvar. You have a few options to reach Sveta Nedjelja, either by car or by boat from Hvar Town. As soon as you approach this piece of land, you’ll notice vineyards on a steep terrain underneath the St. Nicholas – the highest peak on Hvar Island. A lot of yachts visit this winery too, and you’ll almost always see at least one of them moored on a nearby dock.
Let’s enter this unique wine cellar on Hvar Island!
The Underwater Winery: How It Works At Zlatan Otok, select wines are stored in an underwater wine cellar located in Sveta Nedjelja. The sea provides a stable and cool environment with minimal light and consistent temperature – perfect conditions for wine aging. The important thing to notice is that the wine cellar is not submerged, but simply a normal cellar that was built below water level. You can easily access this unique underwater wine cellar from a winery and the restaurant that is built on top of it.
There is also another Croatia underwater winery which keeps the wine in amphorae and submerged, and you have the option to dive to get your bottle of wine. This one is called Edivo Winery (Edivo Vina) and it’s located on the Pelješac peninsula . That winery and its unique way of storing wine will be the subject of the other article.
Where Is It Located? Sveta Nedjelja on Hvar Island Sveta Nedjelja is a small and peaceful village located on the southern part of Hvar Island . Some of the best wines of Hvar are produced here. Vineyards in Sveta Nedjelja are steep, and we always wonder how hard it is to pick the grapes from these vineyards located on the slopes of the hill rising above Sveta Nedjelja. Sveta Nedjelja is not only a paradise for wine lovers, but for the outdoor lovers of all kinds and the best via ferrata trail on Hvar is located right here.
You can visit Zlatan Otok’s winer y and enjoy wine tastings on the seafront terrace as well as descend to this unique underwater wine cellar on Hvar. Famous Red Rocks, one of our favorite places on Hvar, are also located near Sveta Nedjelja, and one of the best ways to reach this place is by a boat tour from Hvar Town.
Hvar: A Wine Island with Ancient Roots Let us tell you a bit about the rich history of wine production on Hvar Island. This island has been producing wine for over 2,400 years . The first one to cultivate wine grapes here were the ancient Greek settlers. Hvar is the sunniest place in Croatia which makes wonders for grapes and wine. Today, Hvar is home to some of Croatia’s most renowned wineries and grape varieties.
Popular Hvar Grape Varieties:
Plavac Mali – A bold red wine, similar to Zinfandel, perfect when paired with grilled meats and Dalmatian dishes.Bogdanuša – A light white wine, refreshing and a great option for hot summer days.Pošip – A sort grown on nearby Korčula, but also found in Hvar wine blends.
The Best Wine Tours on Hvar Island
What to Expect from a Visit to the Underwater Winery There are many guided wine tours on Hvar Island, but we were unable to find the one that features Croatia’s underwater winery. Still, you can easily visit on your own and ask the staff for a tour and insight into their wine offer.
Tour of the winery and the unique underwater wine cellarA seafront terrace with panoramic views
Opportunity to buy wines directly from the source
Relaxed atmosphere perfect for couples, wine enthusiasts, and all other kinds of travelers
How to Visit Reaching Sveta Nedjelja is easy and once there, make sure you explore more than this underwater winery on Hvar Island . There are many beautiful nearby beaches on which you can relax and make sure you visit the Veli Kamik viewpoint that overlooks the stunning cliffs of this part of Hvar Island.
Sveta Nedjelja is around 30–40 minutes’ drive from Hvar Town.
You can visit by car, scooter, or private transfer . Renting a scooter on Hvar is a good idea if you want to explore beyond Hvar Town and haven’t come to Hvar by car
Before You Venture to Croatia’s Underwater Winery Croatia’s underwater wine cellar at Zlatan Otok in Sveta Nedjelja is a place you should put on your itinerary when visiting one of the most famous islands in Croatia. It’s not only a place for wine lovers, but a more peaceful side of Hvar too. Once you reach Sveta Nedjelja, enjoy this peace and explore this underwater winery before continuing to the nearby location. If you’re driving from Hvar Town to Sveta Nedjelja, you’ll pass through many picturesque traditional villages we suggest you stop at. Finally, don’t leave this Croatia underground winery without a bottle of wine.
Enjoy the Hvar wines!
