Croatia's wine quality has significantly improved over the last 10 years with some outstanding producers like Bibch, Kabola, Tomac and Krauthaker making top quality wines which really showcase some of the indigenous grape varieties of Croatia. But I digress, to answer my initial question, yes there is something better that drinking quality wine, and that is to throw in a little cycling while trying superb wines and you have a perfect day.
The development of Croatia's cycle routes across the country has also led wine roads and cycle routes opening up making wineries easily accessible by bike. In fact, there are now many tour operators offering bike and wine tours to all the major wine regions of Croatia. If you're like me and like to be a little more independent its very easy to cycle a wine route without a tour guide.
Here we have three wine roads ideal for cycling and sampling some of Croatia's best wines.
Konavle
A short distance from the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik you have the Konavle wine region. This region has long been the breadbasket of Dubrovnik, with a big agricultural focus. Konavle has some wonderful historical and natural sites along with some great
Konavle has some wonderful historical and natural sites along with some exceptional wines, and makes for a very pleasant cycling journey along the 100km of marked trails. Kick off your ride from Gruda where you ride along country roads and through orchards, vineyards, olive groves and across the
Kick off your ride from Gruda where you ride along country roads and through orchards, vineyards, olive groves and across the Ljuta River. Now it's time for some wine tasting, Konavle's most famous wine is Malvasia Dubrovnik, a delicious white grape variety. Along your journey be sure to visit
Along your journey be sure to visit Miljas, Karaman and Marinović wineries.
Porec Harbour By Hobe / Holger Behr - Own work
Poreč
Located on Croatia's largest peninsula, Poreč has long been a cycling destination and known for its out of this world food and wine scene and a well-developed network of cycling trails. Whether cycling by the sea or into the Poreč hinterland there is something for everyone. Poreč will take you to ruins of castles, forests, ancient forts churches, villa's and of course some superb wineries. It's one of Croatia's best locations for a wine and cycle adventure. You can take your pick from one of the numerous routes available and visit some
Whether cycling by the sea or into the Poreč hinterland there is something for everyone. Poreč will take you to ruins of castles, forests, ancient forts churches, villa's and of course some superb wineries. It's one of Croatia's best locations for a wine and cycle adventure. You can take your pick from one of the numerous routes available and visit some
You can take your pick from one of the numerous routes available and visit some or all of the 11 wineries.
Be sure to visit Cossetto, Agrolaguna, Roxanich and Damjanich wineries.
Plešavica
A stone's throw from Zagreb you have one of Croatia's best little wine regions, Plešavica. Here they have centuries old wine making tradition and these days they are famous for producing Croatia's best sparkling wines.
The wine roads here are well developed and very easy to navigate. Start your cycling tour in Samobor the foodie capital of the region, and then cycle over the rolling hills to Plešavica where you can take you pick from a plethora of wineries.
Do not miss visiting the Korak, Šember and Tomac wineries who are producing world class wines.
