Explore Inland Croatia
Long considered the kind of provincial town you race through en route to the Serbian border, Danube-hugging ILOK is fast emerging as one of eastern Croatia’s most compelling destinations. With wine cellars galore grouped around an imposing hilltop castle, it certainly promises enough to keep you occupied for a day or two. The town can also boast a great choice of affordable accommodation, making it a far better base for exploring the region than Vukovar. With the bridge to the Serbian side of the Danube only 2km downstream, it is also a good jumping-off point for Novi Sad and Belgrade.
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Ilok wine cellars
Ilok wine cellars
Although Iločki podrumi is the most famous of Ilok’s wine producers, it is the large number of independent wineries that give the town its flavour. These are by and large family businesses, selling wines directly to visitors to their cellars. Visitors are welcome (you can taste wines by the glass and might also be offered cheese-and-ham nibbles), although a prior phone call is advisable to ensure that someone is at home.
Buhač Hercegovačka 1 t 032 593 100 and t 098 933 3995. One of the up-and-coming boutique producers in Ilok, producing good Graševinas and Chardonnays, as well as a highly regarded Merlot.
Knezović Matije Gupca 101 t 032 593 257. Friendly family house with cellar and tasting room, offering Chardonnay and red Frankovka (Blaufränkisch) alongside the usual Graševina.
Stipetić Radićeva 16 t 032 591 068. A family winery with a two hundred-year tradition right in the centre of Ilok, with cellars built into the hillside. Known for good-quality Graševina and Rhine Riesling.
