Vis isthe cradle of Croatian viticulture, andVis Vugava is the oldest wine variety in this area.
The culture of cultivating vines and drinking wine in the Adriatic began in the ancient Greek colony of Issa (today’s Vis Island), and all relevant and historical sources testify how the ancient Greeks planted the first vine in Dalmatia in a field on Vis Island.
The preserved record of the Greek writer Agarthid from the year 300 BC speaks in favor of that. in which he says that the wine from Vis is “compared to all the others the best”.
For hundreds of years, the people of Vis Island enjoyed their premium and completely autochthonous wine, but when the time came in the 20th century to classify its wine varieties and show its offer to the world, Vis Island did not gain the recognition it deserved. Due to its remote position in the middle of the sea and 40 years of complete isolation, the island was used as the most important naval base of the former State. Until the early 90s of the last century, the beauties of Vis Island remained hidden from the public eye, and its top wines could be tasted only by a few lucky people.
However, thanks to its (un)grateful position and (un)happy historical events, Vis Island is today one of the few Dalmatian pearls that is not affected by mass tourism and whose charms you can enjoy without stress and hustle and bustle. At the same time, its isolation proved to be an effective model for the protection of natural resources and ancient crafts. Vis Island is completely preserved, while its indigenous wine varieties and centuries-old viticulture are well protected.