Country Location: Croatia
 Grapevines have been adorning the southern slopes of the Pelješac Peninsula on the Dalmatian Coast since the beginning of mankind. The Plavac Mali grape variety thrives remarkably well in such sunny Karst soil and this is where the king of Croatian red wines, Dingač, dwells. The ancient wine culture of Croatia is the origin of the most famous American grape, the Zinfandel. Here is your chance to taste a top quality original.
Dingač is the name of the best known Croatian premium quality red wine of controlled origin. Only wine made from grapes that were grown on the famous vineyard named “Dingač” may be called Dingač. Naturally, this means that quantities of Dingač wines are always extremely limited and make the wine highly sought after.
 The distinguished vineyard Dingač lies on a steep hillside on the Pelješac peninsula dramatically dropping into the Adriatic Sea just a few miles from the famous medieval city of Dubrovnik in the southern tip of Croatia. The terroir of this particular location is characterized by an abundance of sunshine and the minerals imparted by the rocky soil.
Motorized vehicles cannot access the slopes of the Dingač vineyard. As it has been the case traditionally for ages the only help for the laborious harvest are donkeys. That’s why the cute donkey has become the local mascot and is featured prominently in the logo of the Dingač Winery. This is then the third meaning of the term “Dingač”, name of wine, name of vineyard, finally it is also the name of the estate where this wine is made. The Dingač Winery is one of the largest in this region and produces a series of beautiful red wines, all made from the Plavac Mali grape. This wine has been fermented in stainless steel tanks and then matured for one year in the traditional large oak casks before bottling.
The Dingač is Croatia’s most famous wine made of the Plavac Mali grape which translates to “Little Blue” grape. This grape is usually simply called “Plavac” and is the cousin of the Californian Zinfandel. Recently, researchers from University of California Davis School of Viticulture have found the ancestor of the Zinfandel – the Crljenak kaštelanski – in vineyards on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia. The researchers proved with modern analysis technologies that this ancient Croatian grape has indeed the same DNA structure as the Zinfandel. The Plavac itself is a hybrid of the Crljenak kaštelanski so it is a direct –if not identical- relative of the Zinfandel.
The relationship of the two grape varietals can be tasted: both are fairly rustic wines with lots of spicy flavors. Yet, they are also quite different, making the taste of a Dingač made from Plavac Mali a very unique experience.
Wines:
Dingač
2008
$34.95
Back by popular demand: The traditionalist among our offerings from the famed Dingač vineyard on the steep coast in Southern Dalmatia. N...
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Dingač Sampler
NV
$60.85 49.95
This is a 3-Pack sampler of our best-selling wines from the Dingač Winery. It contains 1 bottle each of 2010 Dingač Plavac , 2010 Din...
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Pelješac
2010
$12.95
Only very limited supplies left in stock!
The stunning vineyard covered islands of South Croatia are the original home to California's...
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Plavac
2010
$12.95
The Pelješac peninsula dramatically dropping into the Adriatic Sea just a few miles from the famous medieval city of Dubrovnik is on the...
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Postup
2008
$28.95
The little brother of the Dingac: very typical and very nice wine made from Plavac Mali. The 2008 vintage is truly stunning!
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Dingač
The first Croatian top quality wine of protected geographic origin: Geneva –1961.
Dingač is made from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape variety grown in the limited locality known as Dingač on the steep southern hillsides of the Peljesac Penisula. It has a deep ruby red color, remarkably distinctive and rich bouquet and subtly pronounced varietal aroma.
Wonderfully balanced and full-bodied flavor that lingers on the palate is what makes this wine so unique. Chilled to 18C, Dingač pairs incredibly well with delicious dark meat dishes and quality food fish.
Postup
Top quality red wine since 1967. Often referred to as Dingac’s "baby brother".
Postup, as well as Dingač, must be written with a capital initial letter, because these are the greatest Dalmatian wines. It is made from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape variety grown in the limited locality known as Postup.
Dark ruby in color, full-bodied and delightfully balanced in flavor, with a faint note of tartness, Postup Potomje makes a fine match with dark meat dishes, game and grilled oily fish or squids. It should be served at a temperature of 16-18C.
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