Wine Tours and Tastings in Pula

Located on the southern tip of Croatia's beautiful Istria peninsula, Pula is a seaside city that blends rich history with Roman ruins and a lively Mediterranean atmosphere.

The city is known for its many wine bars and summer festivals, making it the perfect place to enjoy a glass of vino or two.

One of the local staples, Istrian Malvasia, is considered one of the word's premier white wines — and that's just one of many varieties grown in the region.

If you're looking to explore Pula's food and drink scene, there are plenty of options available. Several companies offer wine-tasting tours in Pula, which provide a fascinating insight into local culture, history, and of course, the wine-making process.

Here's all you need to know about wine-tasting tours, one of the most captivating gastronomic experiences in Pula.

What are the best wine-tasting tours in Pula?

90 min Wine Tasting Experience at the organic winery in Šišan

After meeting up with your group and local guide in the morning, or being picked up from your Pula hotel, you'll be whisked away to the small town of Šišan, a historic settlement located just a 15-minute drive from Pula.

Once in Šišan, you'll visit an organic winery such as Bruno Trapan's Food & Wine Station, where you'll learn all about the wine-making process and taste a few samples of the finished product, including the organic Trapan wine.

The tour features a guided walk through the vineyards and a presentation by the winemaker, who'll answer any questions you may have about the history of the area's winemaking reputation.

You'll also learn about the mineral-rich soil of the Istrian vineyards and sample a few local snacks while you're at it.

Full-day three-winery Istrian tour with Wines Unknown

A great full-day tour for anyone looking to get a deeper understating of Istrian wine, the "Wines Unknown - Istrian nOrdinary" wine tour takes you to three different wineries in the Pula area.

After convenient hotel pickup in the morning, your friendly guide will take you on a scenic drive through the Istrian countryside to your first stop, a family-run winery.

At each of the three venues, you'll learn about the different grape varieties grown in Istria and taste a variety of reds, whites, and even sparkling.

Throughout the day, you'll sample young and fresh wines, aged bottles of Malvazija and even some "organic" wines, which were made of grapes that were not treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

The tour includes a guided walk through the vineyards, a look at the wine-making process, and of course, plenty of chances to taste the final product and mingle with your fellow wine enthusiast tour participants.

Wine and food walking tour in Pula

There's more to Pula than just its wine bars and festivals — the city is also home to a number of excellent restaurants, cafes, and markets.

The Pula Food & Wine Walking Tour takes you on a guided stroll through the city's historic center, stopping at various food and drink hotspots along the way.

Led by an experienced local guide, you'll start with a cup of coffee before tasting a variety of Croatian tapas.

Typically, you'll visit an olive oil museum and learn about the history of olive oil production in Istria, followed by a stop at a local market to sample some of the fresh produce on offer, such as goats cheese and Istrian ham to finish up the tour.

You'll check out a cosy wine bar where you can sample plenty of local wines and hear all about the long, rich history of winemaking in the region.

Which places are visited?

Every wine-tasting tour in Pula has a slightly different itinerary, but there are a few key places that are always worth visiting and are featured on at least some of the tours. Some of the quintessential places or regions include:

Trapan's Food & Wine Station

A family-run business, this famous winery offers a tour that includes a guided walk through the vineyards and an insightful presentation by the winemaker.

Trapan's has been in operation since 2005, sits on 12 hectares of land and is also home to a handful of free-roaming goats, chickens and dogs.

EVOO Museum

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil museum is a popular stop of wine tasting tours in Pula. The museum documents the long history of olive oil production in Istria and features several manufacturing equipment items and tasting opportunities.

Šišan

Located just a short drive from Pula, Šišan is home to a number of family-run wineries that are popular among wine-tasting tour groups.

The village is small, charming and shows off a more authentic and traditional side of Croatia, away from the tourist towns.

Rovinj and Poreč

Both located on the western coast, north of Pula, Rovinj and Poreč are two towns popular among tourists for their Mediterranean atmosphere, stunning beaches and abundance of restaurants and cafes.

Longer tours from Pula often include stops at these towns as well as the many wineries located in the hilly outskirts.

How much do wine-tasting tours in Pula cost?

The price of a wine-tasting tour in Pula is generally between €120 and €180, but can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the length of the tour, the number of wineries visited and whether or not transportation is included.

The cheapest tours are standalone winery visits, such as the 90-min wine-tasting experience at the organic winery in Šišan. This will cost around €35 without transportation.

Half-day tours such as the "Wines Unknown - Istrian nOrdinary wine tour" or food and wine walk in Pula will cost around 175 and 135 respectively.

For longer tours that include stops at multiple towns or villages, the price is usually closer to €300, per person.

What is included?

All wine-tasting tours in Pula will include some kind of guided experience, whether it's a walk through the vineyards, a presentation by the winemaker or a tour of the facilities.

Generally, tours will also include tastings of several different wines as well as some traditional Croatian food.

The majority of operators also include convenient hotel pickup and transportation in their price, while others leave it up to the traveler to organize. Double-check before booking to avoid any surprises.

Where does it start?

Most wine-tasting tours in Pula will start at a central location in the city, such as a hotel or the main square. Some operators also offer hotel pickup included in the price.

The cheapest tours, usually standalone winery tastings, such as the organic winery in Šišan tour, require you to meet the group at the winery. Check the tour details before booking to see where you need to go.

How long does it last?

The duration of wine-tasting tours in Pula can vary greatly, from a couple of hours to a full day or even multiple days.

The shortest tours are usually standalone winery visits, such as the 90-min wine-tasting experience at the organic winery in Šišan. Full-day tours last around 7 hours, while combination tours, such as kayaking plus wine tasting, last around 2 hours.

When is the best time for a wine-tasting tour in Pula?

The grape harvesting season in Pula runs from late August to early October, so the best time for a wine-tasting tour is during this period.

However, most wineries are open year-round and offer tastings of their current wines as well as older vintages no matter the time of year.

As for the time of day, most tours start in the morning so you can beat the heat and have the energy to appreciate all the different wines. However, there are a few afternoon and evening tours available as well.

It's recommended to do this tour early in your trip, so you can find your favorite wines to drink at proceeding dinners.

Are there any combos available?

Yes, there are several combo tours available that include wine tasting as well as other activities. Some of the most popular combination tours are listed below

Private Daily Trip to Rovinj and Poreč with wine tasting included From Pula

Rovinj and Poreč are two of the most underrated tourist destinations in Croatia, and this private tour combines them into one action-packed day.

Not only will you get to explore both towns, but you'll also get to visit a traditional Istrian winery for a wine tasting. The price for this tour starts at around €300 per person.

Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding with a wine tour

A very romantic tour option, this kayaking excursion starts with a paddle out onto the Adriatic Sea to destinations like the islands of Cape Kamenjak.

When the sun sets you can try different wines while floating in the middle of the sea. These tours last around 2 hours.

Kamenjak Peninsula Bike Tour and Optional Wine Tasting from Pula

This tour lasts around 5 hours and takes you on a bike ride through the Kamenjak Nature Park, an area full of beaches and trails. You'll have the option to add a wine tasting at one of the local wineries too.

Travel tips

• Get a good night's sleep before your tour so you can appreciate all the different wines.
• Unless meals are specifically included, make sure to eat breakfast or lunch before the tour so you don't drink on an empty stomach.
• Bring sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, especially if you're doing a tour in the summer months.
• If you're driving to the winery, make sure you have a designated driver.