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Red grapes among vine leaves
Grape guide · Native Hvar redBy the hvar.com team · Updated September 2026

Darnekuša, the gentle red

Hvar’s other red: an old native grape from the Stari Grad Plain and the Vor plateau, lighter and much softer than plavac mali.

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No. 01

Darnekuša at a glance

the short version
ColourRed
OriginNative to Hvar
Also writtenDrnekuša
WhereThe Stari Grad Plain and the Vor plateau above Vrisnik, Svirče and Vrbanj
StyleLight in colour, soft
AromasStrawberry and ripe cherry
Made by5 of the 17 cellars in our list, see below

If plavac mali is too big for you, darnekuša is the Hvar red to try. It is made by a small number of cellars, mostly in the villages of central Hvar.

For the island’s other grapes, see Hvar wine, grape by grape.

Aerial view of vine rows high on Hvar
No. 02

Where it grows on Hvar

Darnekuša grows on the Stari Grad Plain and on the Vor plateau, the high ground above Vrisnik, Svirče and Vrbanj.

Villages to base yourself for a tasting: Vrisnik, Svirče and Vrbanj, plus Jelsa and Vrboska nearby.

Harvested dark grapes crate
No. 03

Taste and food

Lighter in colour and much softer than plavac mali, with strawberry and ripe cherry.

With food: pasta, risotto and vegetable dishes, lighter food than plavac needs.

No. 04

Who makes it on Hvar

5 cellars

Every cellar in our list that makes darnekuša and receives visitors. See all 17 wineries.

Jelsa · food

Duboković

Ivo Duboković’s candlelit family cellar, 15,000 to 20,000 litres a year from native grapes. Tastings by appointment, with snacks and olive oils.
Grapes: Plavac mali, Darnekuša, Bogdanuša, Maraština, Kuč, Prč.

→Vrboska · food

Carić

Ivo and Ivana Carić’s tasting konoba by the second bridge in Vrboska: one of the widest line-ups of native Hvar grapes, with cheese and chocolate pairings.
Grapes: Plavac mali, Bogdanuša, Kuč, Maraština, Darnekuša, Pošip.

→Vrbanj

Plančić

A winemaking family since 1919, working with native Hvar grapes. Tastings can be booked online.
Grapes: Bogdanuša, Prč, Darnekuša, Plavac mali.

→Vrisnik

Ahearne Vino

Founded by Master of Wine Jo Ahearne, first vintage 2014. Tastings by reservation.
Grapes: Pošip, Plavac mali, Bogdanuša, Kuč, Darnekuša.

→Selca kod Starog Grada · food · tours

Lacman

Natural wines made without chemicals or filtration, from grapes bought from local growers. Tastings and dinners on the terrace; booking advised.
Grapes: Pošip, Bogdanuša, Maraština, Prč, Plavac mali, Darnekuša.

→
No. 05

Darnekuša, common questions

Is darnekuša red or white?

Red, a light, soft native Hvar red.

Where does darnekuša grow?

On the Stari Grad Plain and the Vor plateau above Vrisnik, Svirče and Vrbanj.

Which Hvar wineries make Darnekuša?

Duboković, Carić, Plančić, Ahearne Vino, Lacman.

Taste it where it grows

Book a tasting at one of the cellars above, or see every Hvar winery and the grapes it makes.

Hvar wineries →All Hvar grapes