We produce our wine for the most part from the grapes grown in our vineyards, but a significant portion of Vugava comes from other vineyards which we cooperate with.
The vineyard of Plavac mali is situated beneath our winery, in the northern half of Tihobraće field. It is the easternmost field on Vis, a plateau at 70 to 80 metres above sea level, opening on its southern side towards the sea and the view of Sušac island.
The vineyard was planted in two stages, between 2005 and 2007, on the surface of 1,5 hectares. The ground is sandy, and the vine rows stretch in the west to east direction, slowly descending towards the east. The vines are worked by hand, with careful application of modern protective agents.
That is where our Plavac Tihe braće (or, in translation: The Silent Brothers’ Plavac) named after the cistercian monks who (so we were told) long ago had their land in this field, leaving its name. We aren’t sure whether it is a fact or just a folk ethymology, but we liked it anyway and thought it makes for the nice name.
The wine matures for at least a year in the oak (a mixture of old and new barriques), and is marketed after three years at minimum – a period that we are trying to extend to five (trust us, the longer wait is worth it).
Our other vineyard is planted on the leased state land, on the southern end of the same field. It includes the white varieties Vugava and Kuč (also known as Trbljan – bear in mind that, similarity of the name notwithstanding, it is not Trebbiano!) as well as a smaller quantity of a couple of other varieties. At 1,2 hectares it is slightly smaller but laid down in the same manner and on the similar soil as the Plavac vineyard, except that the lower third is clay mixed with loose limestone.
The Vugava which we are buying from our contractors, comes from the area which is traditionally considered to contain the best positions on the island – the terra rossa soils of the eastern part of Dračevo field in the middle of the island.
The wines which we are producing from Vugava and Kuč are made so that the fruit aromas and freshness are accentuated, but with Vugava also with an intention to express its full bodied character. After our admittedly so far limited experience, Vugava accepts bottle ageing well. Kuč is light bodied and longevity is not to be expected, but it can age for a shorter period.