Unique visit to an underwater winery in Croatia

Enjoying a superyacht charter in Croatia always has the possibility of turning into something unexpectedly magnificent and entertaining. This is why yacht enthusiasts that also consider themselves to be wine lovers should set a course to the small village of Drače, where a team of wine connoisseurs have created the first-ever underwater winery in Croatia that also offers underwater tours of their establishment, as well as excellent wines.

The final product is known as Navis Mysterium or The Sea Mystery – a fitting name, considering the origin and the transformation of the excellent local Plavac wine sorte. Wine lovers are sure to enjoy every sip of this delicious year, which encompasses the unique essence of the Croatian Adriatic Sea, paired with a bouquet that exudes traces of salt.

DIVE FOR YOUR WINE

In the summer, you can experience a unique diving session with certified instructors to grab your very own amphorae of red wine from the cool Adriatic seabed.

The underwater cellars where Navis Mysterium is kept is near a sunken boat close to Žuljana beach. Storing almost 5000 bottles in a unique setting, the Sea Mystery is kept 3 months above-ground level for three months, before being store in amphorae from one to two years. The wine is then packed in cages and locked, to avoid any unwanted underwater attention. Because the pressure and temperature are ideal for wine maturing, Navis Mysterium has a distinct and rich flavour.

LEARN ABOUT THE ASPECT OF AN UNDERWATER WINERY IN CROATIA

The Sea Mystery is a unique product of Croatia, which the owners and starters of the project are very proud of. The idea is simple: a typical wine glass bottle is placed in a clay amphora, made by following classical Greek influences. The wine is then sealed and protected with an innovative rubber-cork system and submerged to a depth of an average of 20 meters for periods that can extend beyond 2 years.

Maturing wine under the sea is something that makes a lot of sense if you look at the conditions that are constant at depths of 20 meters. The pressure is stable, as well as the temperature, and the humidity of air is a non-existent factor, having in mind the clay protective casing and the rubber seal. There is also almost no light at all, which also influences the wine maturing process, as well as the factor of silence at those kinds of depths, contributing to a serene and soothing atmosphere for wine maturing.

TAKE HOME A UNIQUE SOUVENIR

After a unique diving event on Pelješec, be sure that the experience is far from over. The amphorae that are brought from the surface are special, after spending more than 2 years under the sea. Artistic creations of Mother Nature, the clay casings look like they belong in a museum, being covered in corals, seashells and algae. The salt and the underwater movement of the ocean give them all a unique mark, making a perfect souvenir, which will remind you of a fantastic yacht charter holiday in Croatia.

A strict procedure is applied when handling amphorae, transforming them into a hand-made sculptural masterpiece. Cleaning, scrubbing and arranging are just part of a 14 day procedure that turn these clay containers into a truly personalized wine package, with a unique signature of the Croatian Adriatic Sea.

ENJOY A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE OF DRINKING UNIQUE WINE ON YOUR YACHT CHARTER

After you have lived through a totally unique diving session in Croatia`s first underwater winery, where you picked your own amphorae-matured wine, it is time to get back to your yacht charter and onto experiencing new adventures in the Croatian Adriatic Sea. But before that, while cruising towards a swift sunset, have a drink of the Sea Mystery, feeling the unmistakable presence of the Adriatic spirit: beautiful and free.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT AN UNDERWATER WINERY IN CROATIA

Croatia is a land of a thousand mysteries, all of which hide something special. Such is the case with the first underwater winery in Croatia, situated in the small village of Drače on the Pelješac peninsula. Experience diving in a unique environment while also having the possibility of picking your very own wine amphorae – just like the Greeks did. Afterwards, enjoy the unique flavour on the sundeck of your superyachts charter, cruising towards new adventures.