“There is more perfection in a drop of water than in any machine ever made by man.”
Šipan Island is our home, where the Goravica family has lived for centuries, closely tied to the sea and the land. For generations, we have nurtured olive growing, winemaking, and fishing - traditions that have shaped our way of life.
Despite all the changes, we remain loyal to the legacy of our ancestors, never abandoning our olive groves and vineyards. Our mission is to honor these cherished traditions while modernizing them, inviting others to enjoy the gifts of our beautiful island.
Known as the “small golden island”, Šipan is extremely rich in olive and carob groves and has even been included in the Guinness World Records for “the most olive trees per square meter”. Here, grapevines have been traditionally cultivated for centuries.
When we started our journey, our aim was to harness the natural potential of this beautiful island and offer our customers the authentic flavors of Šipan, keeping in mind the uniqueness and richness of its climate.
All stages of production - from cultivation and processing to packaging the final products - take place on the island of Šipan.
Our activities
We specialize in grapevine cultivation and winemaking, olive growing and production of extra virgin olive oil, as well as carob cultivation and processing into carob powder.
Our vineyards
Our vineyards are situated in the heart of the island, within the fertile Šipan field, stretching over 5 km and ranking among the largest fields on the Dalmatian islands.
This micro-location stands out for its high number of sunny hours and significant temperature differences between day and night during the summer months, perfectly suited to the grape varieties we grow, giving them unique aroma and high sugar content. This makes it ideal for producing wines with distinctive flavour and aroma.
Our oldest vineyard was planted in 1995, mainly with the indigenous Croatian red grape variety Plavac Mali. Our newest vineyard was planted in 2016, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In addition to red grapes, our vineyards also include white varieties, Rukatac and Pošip.
In total, we cultivate about 2 hectares of vineyards, producing around 10,000 bottles of wine per year. We cultivate all the grapes on our own, mainly using hand weeding, pruning, and harvesting.
The most joyful time is when we harvest in September. Usually about 20 of us get together and after the harvest we have lunch and a party that sometimes goes late into the night.
It is important to note that we do not treat our vineyard with substances that are harmful to nature and human health. We use only environmentally friendly natural resources and only when it is really necessary. This approach allows our wines to express the unique characteristics of each vintage. Depending on weather conditions and natural changes, each vintage has its own unique history, giving our wines authenticity, natural diversity and a special soul.
To maintain the health and vitality of our vineyard, we use bio-algae, which enhance plant nutrition and resilience, and zeolite – a natural supplement that has a beneficial effect on the health of the soil and plants.
We produce high-quality dry wines with intense fruitiness, full body, high tannins, balanced acidity, and a pleasant, long aftertaste.
Our selection includes white wines (varieties Rukatac and Pošip), rosé wine (variety Plavac mali), rosé sparkling wine (Plavac mali), and red wines in the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Plavac mali.
Oil from our olive groves
In our olive groves, we cultivate about 300 olive trees. The most common variety is Piculja, which is native to the island of Šipan. Alongside Piculja, we also grow Oblica, the most widespread variety in Dalmatia.
The Piculja olives are small to medium-sized, oval in shape, and ripen later in the season, typically in November. This variety is extremely resistant to disease and drought, making it ideal for Mediterranean conditions. The oil produced from Piculja is known for its rich texture, complex aromas, and fruity notes, complemented by a mild spiciness that gives it a unique and recognizable character.
It is processed in our own oil mill, also on the island of Šipan. We use the cold extraction method with a centrifuge, ensuring that the temperature never exceeds 25°C during any stage of production.
To ensure the premium quality of our extra virgin olive oil - characterized by very low levels of free fatty acids and a high concentration of health-benefiting polyphenols - we harvest olives at an early stage of ripeness and process them within just a few hours after harvesting.
The exceptional quality of our oil is best proven by the gold medals we regularly win at the international olive oil producers' competition "Noćnjak." which gives us satisfaction and encourages us to continue our work.
As the only olive mill in this region, we also process olives for residents of the nearby Elafiti islands: Lopud and Koločep.
Šipan island carob
The island of Šipan is abundant with carob trees that have thrived here for centuries.
And not just any carob (there are many varieties), but a type known as Carin – the king of carobs. Carin is an indigenous Šipan variety, renowned for its large pods, sweetness, and rich nutritional content.
In our groves, we have about 50 carob trees, which produce approximately 3 tonnes of fruit each year.
Carob trees are incredibly long-lived and thrive in the challenging, dry conditions of the Mediterranean climate, requiring no special care or protection. These thankful trees need no protective chemicals – they take everything they need from nature and reward us with their delicious, nutrient-rich pods.
What makes Šipan's carob so special is its distinctive, delightfully sweet flavor and unique aroma. The ripe pods are rich in natural sugars, making them an excellent ingredient for a variety of recipes, including cakes, cookies, and other desserts. They’re also perfect as a raw addition to smoothies, muesli, yogurt, pancakes, and similar dishes.
Šipan’s carob pods are rich in antioxidants, proteins, and an exceptional balance of fiber and minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, making them a highly nutritious ingredient. Thanks to its fiber content, carob is excellent for digestion and is naturally gluten-free.
We hand-pick our carob pods at the end of August, selecting only healthy and high-quality fruit. The pods are dried in a specialized fruit dehydrator and then ground into finely milled flour.
Unlike many imported carob products that are heat-treated (roasted) before milling, our carob flour is 100% raw, preserving all its nutritional benefits, especially vitamins and antioxidants.
It contains no additives or preservatives, and thanks to its natural sweetness, it is an excellent sugar substitute for desserts suitable for diabetics.
