The Čitluk Wine Route is a half-day tasting circuit through the wine-growing area around Čitluk, in the Herzegovina part of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The district is the heart of the country's wine production, known for two native grapes: Žilavka, a dry, mineral white, and Blatina, a deep red with soft tannins. There is no single tour operator. Visits are arranged directly with local Čitluk wineries by phone or email, and each winery sets its own hours, tasting formats and prices.
A typical visit covers one to three wineries over about half a day. Tastings usually include a flight of Žilavka and Blatina, often alongside other local varieties, with a cellar visit and an explanation of how the wines are made. A platter of local cheese and dry-cured prosciutto is commonly served to accompany the wines, so the experience is savoury rather than sweet, with the wine itself as the main focus. Some wineries also pour rakija, the regional fruit brandy, on request.
Costs depend on the winery and on how much food is included. A standard tasting with cheese and prosciutto typically runs around BAM 30-60 per person, with a wider range of BAM 30-80 for larger tastings or more wines. Transit is not included. Čitluk is close to Mostar and to the pilgrimage town of Međugorje, but the wineries are spread across villages and vineyards, so visitors need a car, a taxi or a private driver. Anyone planning to taste at several wineries should arrange a designated driver or paid transfer.
Groups are normally small, from couples to private parties of around ten, and the pace is unhurried. Staff at wineries that receive visitors generally speak English, but booking ahead is advisable because many are family-run and do not keep fixed tasting hours. Dietary needs can be discussed when booking: vegetarians can usually have cheese and bread without prosciutto, while the wine itself is suitable for most diets. The best period is April to October, with the grape harvest in early autumn offering the liveliest cellars.
| Price | BAM 30-60 (~$17-35) |
|---|---|
| Duration | Half day |
| Address | Čitluk, 88260 Čitluk |
What is included
- Tastings of Žilavka white and Blatina red, cheese and prosciutto
Good to know
- Operator
- Local Čitluk wineries (arrange visit by phone or email)
Location
Čitluk, 88260 Čitluk
43.2290, 17.7000 View on map
Highlights
- Tasting of Žilavka, the dry native white grape of Herzegovina
- Blatina red wine with a cellar visit at a family-run Čitluk winery
- Local cheese and dry-cured prosciutto served with the wines
- Half-day circuit through vineyards close to Mostar and Međugorje
- Small-group tastings arranged directly with the winery
Tips for visiting
- Contact wineries by phone or email in advance; many family-run cellars do not keep fixed tasting hours.
- Arrange a designated driver or private transfer, since wineries are spread across villages and there is no tour transport.
- Eat a light meal first; the cheese and prosciutto platter is modest and tasting flights add up.
- Ask which Žilavka and Blatina bottlings can be bought on site; direct prices are usually lower than in shops.
- Visit in early autumn for the grape harvest, or in spring when the vines are fresh and the cellars are quieter.
- Vegetarians can request a cheese-only platter when booking.
When to visit
April to October is best, with the early autumn harvest the most atmospheric. Daytime visits by appointment work best.
Accessibility
Cellars and tasting rooms vary by winery; some have steps or sloped courtyards. Visitors with mobility needs should ask when booking whether the tasting area is step-free.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an organised tour of the Čitluk wineries?
Not as a single operator product. Visits are arranged directly with individual wineries by phone or email.
What wines are tasted?
The focus is on Žilavka, a dry white, and Blatina, a deep red, both native to Herzegovina.
How much does a tasting cost?
Typically BAM 30-60 per person with cheese and prosciutto, and up to about BAM 80 for larger tastings.
How do visitors get between wineries?
By car, taxi or private driver. Transport is not included and public transport between the wineries is limited.