Living the Croatian wine country dream: Miloš Stagnum, the first Croatian cult wine

When you have a passion for wine travels in wine country is always an adventure, even on a rainy day. I still remember that early April day when we arrived at Miloš Winery in Ponikva. It was the first winery stop on our Pelješac Peninsula journey, and YES, it was raining. Miloš Winery was the beginning of our wine adventure, which would take us through charming Pelješac Peninsula family-owned vineyards. We chose to begin our Croatian wine adventure on the Pelješac Peninsula, because besides its natural beauty, it is a paradise for oenophiles. Besides, the Pelješac is renowned for its robust red wines, Plavac Mali. 

Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Off on a Pelješac Peninsula Wine Adventure

That morning we were picked up in historic center of Dubrovnik and driven to Ston. Ston has a rich history with its stone walls, and salt production. Despite the weather we did a brief walkabout in Ston, and enjoyed a coffee. We loved walking about the village and discovering some of its past history.

Explore the Village, Ston © Spaswinefood

Viewing the Historic Walls, Ston © Spaswinefood

Besides it fascinating history these days Ston is know as an idyllic Adriatic oyster village. Many come to Ston to enjoy oysters.

Oyster Farming, Ston © Spaswinefood

Oyster Farming, Ston © Spaswinefood

It was just short drive from Ston to Ponikva, the home of the Miloš family winery. Miloš is one of the oldest family owned wineries on the Pelješac Peninsula, a sub-region of the South Dalmatia wine region. 

Miloš Winery

We were happy to escaped those April showers, and go inside to a welcoming tasting room.

Tasting Room, Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Even the rain did not dampen out spirits. Besides there was a friendly welcome waiting inside. Also, the wine glasses were ready.

Glasses Ready, Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Miloš  specializes in producing high quality wines from Plavac Mali, grown in organic vineyards on the manually farmed steep terraced land. We decided on tasting some of their premium wines. This included the following wines:

1. Miloš Winery, Stagnum Rosé

Miloš Winery, Stagnum Rosé © Spaswinefood

Miloš Winery, Stagnum Rosé © Spaswinefood

This is an expressive rosé made from old Plavac Mali vines grown on the slopes of the Peljesac Peninsula. The grapes are hand-harvested and farmed organically. Yes, I have read about the reaction when this rosé was first introduced to market.

2. Miloš Winery, Stalagmit 2022

Miloš Winery, Stalagmit 2022

The Miloš Winery, Stalagmit 2022 is produced from made Rukatac grapes in a dry orange wine style. Maraština is often the name used for (Rukatac, Maraškin, Mareština, Krizol, Višana) however, Rukatac is the commonly used name on the Dalmatian coast. 

3. Miloš Winery, Stagnum 2016

Miloš Winery, Stagnum 2016 © Spaswinefood

Miloš Winery, Stagnum 2016 © Spaswinefood

Even though this was my first time tasting Stagnum wines I knew it was special. I have since discovered that following the end of communism in Croatia, the Milos family was one of the pioneers pushing quality winemaking. They launched one of the first quality wine brands Stagnum, which of course is produced from indigenous Plavac Mali grapes. Influential wine journalist, Hugh Johnson and others, have called Stagnum the first Croatian cult wine.

Yes, I even got to taste a 2003 Stagnum. 

4. Miloš Winery, Stagnum 2003

Miloš Winery, Stagnum 2003 © Spaswinefood

Miloš Winery, Stagnum Wines © Spaswinefood

Critics have rated the 2003 Stagnum wine high, and yes it ages well.

Tasting these Stagnum wines certainly added depth to my rainy day introduction to Croatian wine country. What a great way to kickoff our Peljesac Peninsula wine country adventure!

Miloš also produces awarded extra virgin olive oil and herbal tea. We were introduced to their olive oil during our visit. My understanding is that the Peljesac Peninsula is also known for its olive production.

Miloš Olive Oil © Spaswinefood

So happy that we discovered Miloš Stagnum, the first Croatian cult wine. It was the perfect rainy day escape.

Thank You Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Before leaving that day we toured the wine cellar and were given a brief overview of their wine production. My understanding is that their grapes are grown in organically on steep terraced land. After fermentation the wine is aged in 2000 liter Slavonian oak barrels, for a minimum of two to three years before bottling. The overall goal is to produce natural wines with a minimum of intervention.

Wine Cellar, Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Barrels for Aging, Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Checking Bedrock, Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

A Closer Look at the Bedrock, Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

Perhaps a little research on Miloš Winery on my part would have better prepared me for this visit. After all this family winery has a rich history. Grape growing and wine making has been part of the Miloš family, which has lived in Ponikva for 500 years. 

Thank You Miloš Winery © Spaswinefood

YES, that was the day I discovered Miloš Stagnum, the first Croatian cult wine. After visiting Miloš Winery our spring time travels continued through charming family-owned Pelješac Peninsula vineyards. Our wine journey would take us to Matuško Winery, Grgic Winery, and Saints Hills Winery. Checkout the latest Croatian wines available in US at: Croatian Premium Wine Imports. Special thanks to Mirena Bager at Croatian Premium Wine Imports for helping me plan our wine adventure. Also, a big thank you to Miloš Winery for accommodating us on short notice. We were delighted to be introduced to its wine history, and to discover its wines. I invite you to join me in my Croatian wine travels and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and  Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my Croatian vine-filled explorations.

Cheers

Sharon

April 2025

Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia

© Spaswinefood

Ston, Pelješac, Croatia © Spaswinefood

 Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia © Spaswinefood

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I would highly recommend 

Kresimir Pehar, Dubrovnik 4 U Transfers for those who prefer a driver for your wine country travels.