The Peljesac Peninsula is known for its fine vineyards, which produce world-famous wines such as Dingac. There is also a small village called Drace and the world’s only underwater wine cellar, hidden in a shipwreck beneath the Adriatic Sea. Tourists are invited to dive into the cellar and discover this unique winemaking method.
Edivo Winery is the first winery in the world to have a license to age wine at sea. It is also the only winery to have a patent for the "amphora" - a traditional ceramic vessel.
Tourists dive into the sea to choose wine
The people at Edivo Winery say that wine aged under the sea has its own unique flavor and story. “We came up with the idea of making wine under the sea because we love scuba diving and everything related to the sea,” said Nives Roman, manager of Edivo Winery.
The wine cellar is located about 20 meters below the Adriatic Sea, Croatia
The first bottle of wine successfully submerged under the sea was in late 2013. Initially, the research team tested at several locations around the peninsula. The current location is considered ideal because the sea temperature is always at 15 degrees Celsius all year round.oC. Stable temperature is an important factor in aging wine.
Seashells and seaweed make the "amphora" vase unique.
The wines are made from locally grown grapes, some of which are sourced from Croatia, such as Dignac. The wine is aged in barrels for a year, before being submerged to a depth of 18-25m for a further two years. During this time, the wine is sealed in earthenware or earthenware vessels. The wine is kept out of the light until it is opened and poured into glasses to be enjoyed.
“Each amphora is handcrafted and undergoes a 14-day treatment and cleaning process after being taken out of the water. The coral, shells and algae become part of the vessel. Each amphora or bottle is therefore a unique sculptural masterpiece – the perfect souvenir bearing the mark of the Adriatic,” explains Nives Roman.
Company divers will monitor the cellar every 14 days, combined with taking tourists down for dives. After the underwater tour, visitors will come ashore and enjoy a fresh seafood meal accompanied by fine wines.
