Stone & Vine

The story of Brač wine and the spirit of Stina.

The island of Brač is often defined by stone — the kind that built Diocletian’s Palace in Split, carved by the hands of island masons over centuries. But for those who look a little deeper, beneath the sun-bleached karst and terraced hills, Brač is also shaped by something just as elemental: wine.

A Legacy Rooted in Limestone

Viticulture on Brač dates back over two thousand years, to the time of the Illyrians and then the Romans, who cultivated vines in these rocky soils with the same reverence they held for their gods. In the centuries that followed, winemaking became not just a livelihood, but a tradition in family vineyards, and was poured generously during feast days and nearly everyday, to be enjoyed with family, friends and neighbors alike.

The island’s terrain is challenging. It's rugged, sun-scorched, and dramatic, but in its adversity lies the secret of great wine. The vines grow tenaciously in fractured limestone and terra rossa soils, forcing roots deep into the earth in search of water. This natural struggle infuses the wines of Brač with character: bold, mineral-rich, sun-drenched, and distinctly Mediterranean.

Occupying a historic building from 1903, the island’s first cooperative wine cellar, Stina is more than just a winery. Stina is a symbol of the renewal of Brač. Its name, Stina, is the Croatian word for "stone," a tribute to both the island’s physical foundation and the resilience of its people.

In 2009, Jako Andabak, a Croatian entrepreneur with roots in Dalmatia, purchased the abandoned cellar with a vision: to create world-class wines that could hold their own on any global stage, all while celebrating the fierce beauty of Brač. The building was lovingly restored, modernized with state-of-the-art equipment, and infused with a bold new identity: minimalist white labels, handwritten names, and an aesthetic that speaks to both elegance and elemental rawness.

Where the Vines Meet the Sky

Stina’s grapes grow in some of Croatia’s most breathtaking and demanding locations. The Vidova Gora vineyard, perched high above sea level, is one of the steepest and highest positions for vines in the country. Mechanized harvesting is impossible. Every grape is hand-picked, basket by basket, by people who understand the rhythm of the land.

Signature varietals include Pošip, Vugava, Plavac Mali, and Tribidrag (also known as the original Zinfandel). The whites are vibrant and aromatic, with saline minerality that evokes the sea breeze. The reds especially the Plavac Mali are full-bodied and bold, layered with notes of sun-warmed fig, black cherry, and wild herbs.

Each bottle of Stina wine tells a story of tension and harmony: stone and sun, tradition and innovation, island hardship and creative spirit.

A Modern Expression of Heritage

Walking into the Stina tasting room in Bol, visitors are greeted by walls of clean white and natural textures, an open invitation to discover and to dream. Here, sipping a chilled Pošip on a terrace overlooking the turquoise bay, the weight of history becomes almost tangible, but it’s a history reborn with vision and modern artistry.

Stina is not only a wine brand, but a cultural ambassador for Brač. Its wines are now served in fine restaurants across Europe, yet their soul remains distinctly island-born, proud, poetic, and pure.