In Smokvica on the island of Korčula, the family of Željko Pecotić Baran carries on a long family winemaking tradition, which in 2020 they raised to a higher level by modernising the cellar. Their philosophy rests on complete quality control, and they make their wines exclusively from grapes grown in their own vineyards.
On a hectare and a half of vineyards on the Dračevica site (the Pod Korita micro-location) they grow the indigenous varieties Pošip and Plavac Mali.
Pošip Pod Korita and plans for Grk
The winery’s flagship label is Pošip Pod Korita, produced at a volume of 6,000 bottles a year. This wine is bottled in a tall Rhine flute as a tribute to history, since Pošip — the first Croatian white wine to be protected — was safeguarded in precisely that form of packaging. The standard bottle back then was 0.70 l, whereas today it is 0.75 l.
The wine has won several gold and silver medals (Decanter, Sabatina), and was voted the best Croatian white wine by the readers of the Wine Club. Alongside Pošip, the range also includes the red Pagadebit (Plavac Mali) in a limited series of 700 bottles. For the second year running they have been listed in the prestigious Falstaff wineries guide, as one of only 151 wineries from across Croatia.
The winery is developing gradually from its own resources and plantings. They are currently preparing cleared ground for planting the Grk variety, scheduled for the end of the year. The winery’s tasting room is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and visits are possible with prior notice and a reservation. Interestingly, the family holds the original historical document recording the discovery of the first Pošip vine in Smokvica.
Link to the website: opg-zeljkopecoticbaran.hr
