Experience the authentic taste of the Pelješac Peninsula at Marlais Winery, a family-run winery in Ponikve near Ston, where generations of tradition, local knowledge, and genuine hospitality come together in one memorable tasting. Marlais describes its roots on Pelješac as going back to the 17th century, and the family presents its wines as the result of a long winemaking tradition passed down through seven generations.
Your experience begins on arrival at the winery, where you will be welcomed by your hosts and introduced to the storey of the family, the estate, and the unique character of Pelješac wines. This part of southern Dalmatia is known for its dramatic landscape of sun, sea, and stone, which gives local grape varieties their intensity and personality. Marlais especially highlights Plavac Mali, the iconic Dalmatian grape that thrives in the rocky conditions of the peninsula, alongside other local varieties such as Pošip, Rukatac, and Dubrovnik Malvasia.
After the introduction, settle into the winery’s tasting room, a spacious area designed for guests to relax and enjoy the wines in an authentic estate setting. Here, you will sample a selection of Marlais wines while learning more about the grapes, the production process, and the differences in style from glass to glass. The tasting is accompanied by local products such as liqueurs, candied almonds, and the winery’s organic olive oil, creating a warm and distinctly local gourmet experience rather than just a simple tasting flight.
As part of the visit, guests can also see the cellar/basement, where the winery stores its wines and oak barrels. This adds an extra layer to the experience, giving visitors a closer look at where the wines rest and how the family cares for them before they are poured. Throughout the visit, the hosts share the storey behind their work, from manual vineyard cultivation on steep, rocky slopes to the care and effort required to produce wine in this special landscape. The winery notes that its vineyards are spread across three sites on the southern slopes of Pelješac, with 23,000 vines across 3 hectares, and that much of the work is done by hand because of the terrain.
If arranged in advance or included in the selected option, you may also have the chance to visit the vineyards themselves and see some of the family’s vines up close, including vines ranging from four to sixty years old. This makes the experience especially appealing for travellers who want more than a tasting and are interested in the connection between the land, the family, and the final wine in the glass.
This experience is ideal for wine lovers looking for a genuine family winery visit on Pelješac, away from big-group sightseeing tours. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, personal hosting, local flavours, and an authentic introduction to one of Croatia’s best-known wine regions. Please note that the winery asks guests to announce their visit at least one day in advance.
