Wine tasting tour from Rovinj: Three Istrian cellars with lunch

Taste five wines at each cellar and unwind with views of Istria’s vineyards.

A private wine tour from Rovinj visits three family cellars in Istria's countryside, where you taste up to 5 wines at each stop and learn the difference between Teran, Refosk and Malvazija Istarska. The guide picks you up at your hotel, drives you through vineyards and medieval villages, and ends the 7-hour day with a full Istrian lunch paired with the winery's own selection. Groups stay under eight people.

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup at your accommodation and a drive to the first winery (either Matosevic or Dobravac), where you taste five wines with local ham and cheese. The second stop, about 30 to 45 minutes away through the Istrian countryside, is a cellar that has stayed in the same family for over a century. There you'll taste Malvazija Istarska and Teran while learning how the wines are made. The third winery, San Tomaso, is where the day shifts from tasting to eating: you sit down to a meal of local starters (cheese, prosciutto, salami and bread with olive oil), fresh pasta and dessert, all paired with the winery's wines.

In total you'll taste 9 to 12 different wines across the three stops, plus olive oil tastings at the cellars. The guide speaks English and knows the region well enough to explain what makes each wine distinct and how the Istrian soil shapes the grapes. The drive between wineries gives you time to see the countryside (vineyards, medieval towns, and glimpses of the Adriatic) without rushing from one tasting to the next.

The whole day runs up to seven hours from pickup to drop-off. You'll travel in an air-conditioned car or minivan, and the group will be small enough that you're not standing in a crowd at the cellar door. Bring an appetite and dress for the weather, since the tour runs rain or shine.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned transport.
• English-speaking guide.
• three winery visits with cellar tours.
• 9–12 wine tastings and olive oil tastings.
• light snacks of local ham, cheese and bread at the first two stops.
• a full Istrian meal with starters, pasta and dessert at the third winery.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by THIS IS ISTRIA , Arnet doo

Is this one for you?Groups stay under eight people, so you'll move through the cellars without crowds and have time to ask the guide questions about the wines. Book this if you want to taste Istrian wines where they're made, not in a restaurant, and if a full day with lunch built in suits your schedule better than a quick afternoon tasting.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Italian.

What wines will I taste on this tour?

You'll taste up to 5 wines at each of the three cellars, totaling 9 to 12 wines across the day. The reds are made from Teran, Refosk and Merlot, and you'll taste Malvazija Istarska (a white wine representative of the region) at each stop. The final winery pairs its own selection with your lunch.

How long is the drive between the wineries?

The second winery is about 30 to 45 minutes from the first, and the third is a short drive from the second. The journey itself is part of the experience: you'll see vineyards, medieval towns and views of the Adriatic along the way.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes. At the third winery, San Tomaso, you'll have a full Istrian meal with starters, fresh pasta and dessert, all paired with the winery's wines. The meal is part of the 7-hour tour.

What time does the tour start?

The tour begins at 10 am with pickup from your hotel in Rovinj. You'll return by late afternoon, depending on traffic and how long you linger at each cellar.

Can I book this tour if I'm vegetarian?

Yes. Let the operator know at the time of booking and they'll arrange a vegetarian version of the Istrian meal served at the third winery.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, the English-speaking guide, all three winery visits, wine and olive oil tastings, light refreshments at the first two stops, the full lunch at the third winery, and bottled water throughout the day.