Why it matters
The producer
In Smokvica, a village on the Dalmatian island of Korčula, the white grape Pošip has roots that go back to a wild hillside discovery in 1880. Black Island Winery was established in 2018 on the site of the former Agricultural Cooperative Jedinstvo, gathering the oldest established vineyard holders in the Smokvica region under one winemaking operation. The estate produces Pošip as its central white wine alongside the native Rukatac, Grk, and Plavac varieties.
The winery's name draws on ancient history: Greek sailors called the island Korkyra Melaina and Latin writers Corcyra Nigra, both meaning Black Korčula.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Korčula sits in the Adriatic off the Dalmatian coast. The vineyards around Smokvica climb terraced fields carved out of rocky hillsides, where the combination of red soil, sand, and rock creates the drainage and heat retention that Pošip needs to ripen with concentration. Those three soil types appear across the 25 partner farms, giving the fruit sourcing a natural layering of mineral character. The terraces hold the vines above the limestone bedrock while the stony surface reflects warmth back into the canopy during the growing season, contributing to the aromatic intensity and citrus brightness that characterise the wines.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range centres on two Pošip bottlings. Merga Victa Pošip is the estate label: cool fermented in stainless steel under strict temperature control, pressed with minimal pressure after several hours of skin contact, and built for freshness with enough grip to develop in bottle. The Dalmatian Dog Pošip draws from all three Smokvica soil types across the family farm network, producing a fuller, rounder expression with a long finish. The Dalmatian Dog also comes in a red wine expression from the same appellation.
Both Pošip wines open with floral aromas over Mediterranean herbs, citrus, and stone fruit. The Merga Victa sits on the lighter side: fresh, with citrus at the fore and enough grip to carry through a few years in bottle. The Dalmatian Dog Pošip shows a bright golden colour with green reflections. Ripe peach, apricot, and citrus rise from the glass alongside Mediterranean herbs. The palate is full-bodied and juicy, with vibrant minerality and a long, harmonious finish.