Two stops in Konavle feel like a secret. You’ll ride out of Dubrovnik into Croatia’s Konavle wine valley and spend real time at two small producers, BRAJKOVIĆ and VODOPIĆ. I love the focus on local grapes—especially Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština—and I also like that your tastings come with proper homemade plates, not just tiny sips and a polite smile.

One thing to keep in mind: this is a short, friendly day, not a long lecture. If you expect the same storytelling energy at every pour, you may feel a small dip at the second stop—some hosts are warmer than others, and the pacing is intentionally light.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Two family wineries in Konavle: BRAJKOVIĆ in Zastolje, then VODOPIĆ in Konavle, each with about an hour of tasting.
• Autochthonous grapes are the star: Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština get real attention for conservation.
• You’re fed during the tastings: bread, olive oil, cheese, prosciutto, cured meats, olives, and sweet treats.
• Wine liqueur shows up at both stops: a small but fun extra that makes the day feel more complete.
• A seaside bonus in Mlini-Srebreno: about two hours for a beach bar drink, pancakes, or just walking the waterline.
• Guides like Miro, Marco, or Ivo can shape the day: the ride often includes practical tips and local context.

Konavle Wine Country: A Quick Escape From Dubrovnik

Konavle is one of those places where you can feel the shift from Dubrovnik’s medieval buzz to a quieter, more rural rhythm. The drive is part of the payoff. As you leave the coastier atmosphere behind, the valley setting makes the wine theme make sense right away: slopes, vineyards, and small family properties where people clearly still do things the old way.

What makes this tour genuinely appealing is that it doesn’t try to cram in ten stops. Instead, you get two concentrated tastings—both centered on Konavle’s local identity. You’ll see the difference between internationally known grapes like Merlot and the “stickier” local varieties that have survived long enough to be protected and replanted.

For me, the smartest part is how the day is built around autochthonous grapes. Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština are described as almost destroyed, and the conservation/restoration effort is part of what the wineries are taking seriously. That turns the tasting from a casual sip session into something more meaningful.

Price and time: what $225.31 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $225.31 per person, you’re paying for a short window of time to cover transportation plus two structured tastings. The tour runs about 4 to 6 hours, and the pacing is built around those two one-hour winery visits plus a two-hour break in Mlini-Srebreno.

Here’s how I judge value on days like this:

• You’re not just buying drinks. Each winery includes a set of tastings (four local wines at the first stop, and a mix including local and international grapes at the second), plus snacks/food plates and alcoholic beverages.
• You get the “two-winery effect,” which matters. One winery can be great. Two wineries let you compare styles and see more of Konavle’s wine personality without adding a full extra day.

What you should not expect: unlimited time at a single cellar, or a deeply academic, end-to-end grape history lesson. It’s a relaxed day built for enjoying the valley and moving on. That’s why it can be a bargain for the right person, and why it might feel steep for someone who wants a slower, more hands-on experience.

Getting there: pickup, timing, and why it matters

This tour offers pickup, which is a big deal in Dubrovnik. Even if you’re staying close to the center, coordinating buses and transfers can eat into a half-day quickly. With pickup, you can show up, get oriented fast, and focus on the day ahead.

Duration is listed as 4 to 6 hours, and each winery stop is about one hour. That’s a tight rhythm. You’ll want to keep your questions and shopping decisions in mind, because once the group moves, the day moves with it.

From what’s shown in real-world operations, guides and drivers tend to treat the ride as part of the experience. Names like Miro, Marco, and Ivo come up often, and the consistent theme is making the journey informative without turning it into a lecture. Also, you’re likely to be in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle—helpful if you’re going in warm weather.

Stop 1 in Zastolje: BRAJKOVIĆ’s family tasting and sweet orange treat

Your first winery stop is Zastolje, at Winery BRAJKOVIĆ. This is positioned as an oasis in the heart of Konavle, and the layout and mood matter because you’re arriving fresh—ready for the first pours of the day.

What you can expect during tasting

You’ll taste four local wines:

• Malvasia
• Maraština
• Veritas
• Vranac

Then there’s a wine liqueur included as well. Liqueur isn’t always offered on basic tours, so this extra pour helps the tasting feel more rounded rather than stopping after the core flight.

Food is part of the visit

The best surprise here is that the tasting includes a mix of homemade items, including:

• arancini made as a sweet using orange peel
• a homemade plate with bread, extra virgin olive oil, cheese
• dry bacon and dry sausage

That food list is a big clue about what BRAJKOVIĆ values: local ingredients and old-school sharing. If you like pairing wine with simple, solid flavors (olive oil, cheese, cured meats), this first stop is built for that.

A practical tip for souvenirs

Some handmade goods connected to the winery can be cash only, so if you plan to buy small gifts like embroidery or ornaments, I’d bring some cash just in case. It’s one of those small details that saves you from an awkward moment.

Stop 2 in Konavle: VODOPIĆ and a flight mixing local and international styles

Next you head to Konavle for Winery VODOPIĆ. This stop is also described as an oasis in the heart of Konavle, and it’s another family-run setting with a tasting format that complements the first winery.

What you’ll taste at VODOPIĆ

You’ll enjoy four wines, including both local and more global choices:

• Malvasija
• Maraština
• Merlot
• Rosé

Just like at the first stop, you also get one wine liqueur included. The liqueur being present again is a nice consistency. You get a chance to compare how the wineries treat the sweet side of wine without the day feeling random.

The homemade plate here leans savory

Your included plate at VODOPIĆ includes:

• bread
• olives
• cheese
• prosciutto
• buđola

If you like prosciutto-style cured meats and salt-forward bites, this stop scratches that itch quickly. The flavors also make sense after the orange-peel sweetness at BRAJKOVIĆ—you get contrast across the two tastings.

What to watch for (the one drawback)

Not every host communicates at the same level. On one day, the welcome and conversation can feel very warm; on another, it may be more minimal. If you’re the type who wants a very talkative, step-by-step guided tasting every time, keep expectations flexible and let the wine and setting do the heavy lifting.

Mlini-Srebreno bonus: beach bar time, pancakes, or just sea air

After the wineries, you get about two hours in Mlini-Srebreno, described as a bonus stop after the tastings. This is not a formal third “tour” stop. It’s your free time.

You can choose:

• a nice beach bar for a drink (wine, beer, cocktails, juice)
• potentially eat pancakes
• or just walk the sea side and enjoy the fresh air and views

This break is strategically smart. When you’ve had two winery tastings, you don’t want another long schedule. Two hours by the water is a good pressure release, and it also helps if you want to take photos without the group rushing you along.

A small planning note: if you have a favorite beach bar or you want to buy something specific, consider arriving ready to make a decision quickly. This part of the day is more about choice than structure.

Wines to pay attention to: Malvasia, Maraština, and the Konavle story

The tour’s wine selection is built around Konavle’s identity: local grapes mixed with a few international reference points so you can taste your way through a region.

Malvasia Dubrovačka bijela and Maraština

These two are called out as varieties that were nearly destroyed and are central to conservation and restoration efforts. Even if you don’t know much about grape history, you can still taste the result of that care. The point is that these wines aren’t just trendy labels. They’re part of a preservation project tied to place.

Vranac and Veritas

At BRAJKOVIĆ you’ll also try:

• Vranac, a grape associated with Balkans-style depth
• Veritas, a variety that helps show how Konavle isn’t only about the old locals; it can still play in modern quality trends

Merlot and Rosé for comparison

At VODOPIĆ, the inclusion of Merlot and Rosé is useful. It gives you a quick benchmark: you can taste local styles, then immediately compare them to something you may already understand. That makes the tasting day more rewarding, especially if you’re not a wine nerd.

Food, alcohol, and the pace: what the day feels like in real terms

This tour includes snacks and alcoholic beverages, and the food plates at both wineries are more than garnish. You’re eating bread, cheese, olive oil, cured meats, olives, and at least one sweet item, plus there’s wine liqueur at both stops.

That matters because it changes the tempo of drinking. Wine tastings without food can feel sharp and tiring. Here, the included plates likely help you enjoy each pour more evenly.

The pacing is also a big part of the experience design:

• about one hour at BRAJKOVIĆ
• about one hour at VODOPIĆ
• about two hours in Mlini-Srebreno

So you’re not running all day. You’re switching modes: taste, eat, taste, eat, then breathe by the sea. That’s exactly the kind of structure that works well if you’re visiting Dubrovnik and you don’t want another full-day logistics headache.

Who should book this Konavle double-winery tour

This is a strong fit if you want:

• two winery experiences in one half-day
• a focus on Konavle grapes, especially Malvasia and Maraština
• enough food to feel like lunch is happening, not just snacks
• a seaside finish where you can unwind after wine

It’s also ideal for people who don’t want to plan transportation out to the vineyards. Pickup is offered, and the stops are pre-arranged.

The main mismatch is with someone who wants:

• long guided explanations at every step
• a super slow, deep cellar immersion
• a perfectly consistent tone of welcome from every host

If you’re flexible and you’re mainly there for the wine and the Konavle setting, you’ll likely enjoy the day more than if you’re chasing a highly scripted experience.

Should you book? My honest decision guide

Book this tour if you:

• like tasting wine with food
• want Konavle’s local varieties rather than only international names
• enjoy a day that mixes wineries with a bit of coastal downtime
• want pickup convenience from Dubrovnik without building your own itinerary

Skip or choose something else if you:

• want a longer, more detailed winery education with zero variation between stops
• are extremely budget-sensitive, since this is still priced as an organized half-day with tastings and transport
• hate the idea of free time by the sea where you’ll decide between a beach bar, pancakes, or a walk

If you land in the first group, this tour is a practical way to see Konavle wine culture without losing the best part of your Dubrovnik trip to logistics.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Konavle wine tasting tour from Dubrovnik?

The tour lasts about 4 to 6 hours.

What wineries are included?

You visit Winery BRAJKOVIĆ in Zastolje and Winery VODOPIĆ in Konavle.

How many wine tastings do I get?

At each winery you taste multiple wines (four at BRAJKOVIĆ and four at VODOPIĆ), plus wine liqueur at both stops.

Is pickup offered from Dubrovnik?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What is included with the tastings?

Snacks and alcoholic beverages are included, along with homemade food plates at each winery.

Is there a stop after the wineries?

Yes. You get about two hours in Mlini-Srebreno, where you can choose a beach bar drink, possibly pancakes, or a sea-side walk.

What is the price per person?

The price is $225.31 per person.

Is there a minimum number of travelers?

Yes. The tour requires a minimum of 4 people. If fewer are available, a private tour may be offered.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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