Kastela: Wine & Olive Tasting Tour w/Delicacies & Live Music

The clever part of this Kastela outing is that it takes you behind the finished bottle. You walk through an organic family farm, learn how grapes and olives are handled, then fill, cork, and label a bottle of wine straight from the fermentation tanks. Kathrin’s personal hosting is a major part of the experience, with food, stories, music, and traditional dress adding a warm family feel.

I like the small group limit of six, which should make it easier to ask questions and follow the farming process at your own pace. I also like the mix of hands-on work and local food, especially Pag cheese, peka bread, dried figs, and wild-herb olive oil. The main consideration is the $173 price for 3.5 hours, so this suits you best if you want a hosted farm experience rather than a quick cellar tasting.

Key points at a glance

• Bottle-making activity: Fill, cork, and label a bottle of award-winning wine from the fermentation tank.
• Organic farm walk: See vineyards, olive trees, almond trees, wild herbs, and seasonal produce.
• Dalmatian tasting table: Try prosciutto, Pag cheese, peka bread, salted fish, olives, peppers, tomatoes, figs, and almonds.
• Local setting: Enjoy views toward Kastela Bay and Split from the estate near historic Bijaći.
• Live cultural touch: Kathrin plays and sings traditional Dalmatian songs on the accordion while wearing local folklore dress.
• Small-group format: The experience is limited to six people and includes pickup from Trogir or Split Airport.

A family farm between Kastel Novi and Split

Family Farm Strizic sits at Put Bijaća 38 in Kastel Novi, a short drive from Trogir and close to Split Airport. This is not a polished city attraction. It is a working agricultural property where the tour connects the orchard, vineyard, cellar, and table.

That connection matters. You do not simply taste wine after hearing a short explanation of its origin. You first see the trees and vines, learn how they are cared for, and then follow the process into the cellar. The food served later comes from the same idea of place: local ingredients, traditional preparation, and products made or selected by the host family.

The property is also in Bijaći, an area presented as an important cradle of Croatian history dating to the 7th century. The tour includes an explanation of that importance, giving the farm visit a wider local setting. Do not expect a full archaeological tour, but the historical note helps explain why this patch of land matters beyond its views.

Walking the olive and almond orchards

The tour begins with an agricultural walk through the olive orchard, almond orchard, and vineyards. The exact appearance changes with the season. In spring, you might see almond trees in bloom. Later in the year, you may find fruit ripening and the vineyard moving toward harvest.

Kathrin explains how the trees and vines are tended from early spring through late fall. That broad time frame gives you a useful sense of farming as a year-round task, not a single harvest-day photo opportunity.

The walk also includes wild herbs. You may identify and pick thyme, rosemary, oregano, dill, bay leaves, St. John’s Wort, wild asparagus, and other flowers depending on the season. This is one of the more appealing parts for anyone who cooks, since the scents and plants help connect the later meal to the ground beneath your feet.

You should wear comfortable walking shoes. The farm walk takes place outdoors, and weather-appropriate clothing is advised. The supplied information does not promise a flat or fully paved route, so sturdy casual shoes are the sensible choice.

Understanding grapes, olives, and extra virgin oil

The farm visit explains the full natural cycle from flowering to finished products. You learn how grapes become wine and how olives become extra virgin olive oil, along with the production practices used on the property.

That makes this a good choice if you want more than tasting notes. You can ask about the work behind the products, seasonal care, and the difference between farm production and the bottle sitting on a shop shelf. The tour also covers cellar techniques, so the move from field to fermentation tank feels like one connected story.

The olive oil tasting includes the farm’s extra virgin oil and versions infused with wild herbs. Since you have already seen some of the plants used around the property, the herb-infused oils have a clear local link rather than feeling like random flavored condiments.

The almond orchard adds another useful layer. Almonds are not just scenery here. The farm serves hand-picked dried almonds coated in sugar, giving you a chance to taste the crop in a simple traditional-style preparation.

Inside the wine cellar

In the cellar, Kathrin explains how wine is made and how schnapps is distilled. You can taste from a selection of homemade schnapps and liquors before moving to the main hands-on activity.

The best part for many people will be filling, corking, and labeling a bottle of wine directly from the fermentation tanks. It is a small task, but it changes the feeling of the tasting. Instead of simply receiving a glass, you take part in one stage of the production process.

The activity also gives you a concrete memory to carry home. The details specify a bottle of award-winning wine, though they do not state whether each participant receives a full bottle to take away or only labels a bottle as part of the demonstration. If that point affects your decision, ask the host before booking.

The cellar portion is also where you will find the strongest appeal for wine drinkers who want to understand process. You will not spend the whole 210 minutes sampling wine, and that is worth noting. This is a farm and food experience with wine at its center, not a formal sommelier class.

A Dalmatian table under the pergola

After the farm and cellar portions, you sit outside under a pergola beside the olive and almond orchards. The setting is quiet, and the views extend toward Kastela Bay and Split.

The food is broad enough to work as a substantial tasting rather than a single snack. You can expect:

• Dried prosciutto
• Aged Pag cheese
• Peka bread baked under a wood fire
• Locally sea-salted fish fillets
• Traditional black olives
• Cheese-filled small bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Extra virgin and wild-herb infused olive oils
• Organic dried figs
• Dried almonds coated with sugar

The mix gives you several classic Dalmatian flavors in one sitting. Pag cheese brings a firm island cheese to the table, while peka bread adds the smoky, rustic side of local cooking. The salted fish and olives keep the tasting tied to the Adriatic region, and the figs and almonds finish it with something sweet.

White and red wine are paired with the food. Water is included as well, which is especially welcome when you are tasting salty foods and alcohol outdoors.

Do not expect a restaurant menu or multiple courses prepared to order. The appeal is the family table and the range of products, not formal dining service. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, contact the farm in advance because the provided information does not list substitutions.

Accordion songs and traditional dress

Kathrin plays and sings traditional Dalmatian songs on an accordion while wearing traditional Dalmatian folklore dress. This gives the meal a clear cultural element without requiring a separate performance venue.

The music is likely to be one of the most memorable details because it comes from the host herself. The tone is personal and informal rather than a large staged show. That suits the farm setting, though anyone looking for a quiet, wine-focused tasting should know that live music is part of the plan.

The strongest praise in the available feedback focuses on Kathrin’s warmth, enthusiasm, presentation, and care. One German-speaking participant specifically described her as spending plenty of time on the tour, while several English-language comments highlight her engaging personality and passion for the farm. That points to an experience shaped heavily by the host, so the value depends partly on how much you enjoy conversation, storytelling, and a personal welcome.

The tour is offered in English, German, French, and Croatian. This is useful for mixed-language groups, though the exact language arrangement depends on the people booked for your date.

Is $173 a fair price?

At $173 per person, this is not a budget tasting. You are paying for 3.5 hours, a small group of no more than six, pickup from listed locations, the farm walk, cellar visit, schnapps and liquor tasting, wine activity, a full food spread, wine pairings, and live entertainment.

The price makes more sense if you value variety and personal attention. A short wine tasting may cost less, but it will not usually include an orchard walk, an explanation of olive oil production, a bottle-filling activity, a large Dalmatian tasting table, and a hosted musical presentation.

Pickup is included from Bistro Baketina at Trogir City Beach, near the T4 parking lot. From the Trogir Bus Terminal, it is about a five-minute walk along the seaside to the pickup point, followed by about a ten-minute drive to the estate.

Pickup is also available at the Split Airport bus station on the main road. The meeting point is outside the airport building, at the bus station on the main road in the direction of Split. You can also drive directly to the estate in Kastel Novi.

Because pickup details are specific, read them carefully before setting out. If you are driving, the directions include several turns from the airport exit and Put Vlaka toward Put Bijaća. Allow time to locate the estate rather than cutting it close.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a slow, personal introduction to Dalmatian food and farming. It works especially well for couples, small groups of friends, wine lovers, and anyone who prefers meeting a producer over visiting a large commercial winery.

It also suits people who enjoy several activities in one outing. You walk, listen, taste, make a bottle, eat, and hear music. That variety keeps the afternoon moving, but it may feel too full for someone who wants to sit quietly with one glass of wine and no scheduled elements.

The tour is not suitable for children under 18. It is also listed as unsuitable for people over 95. Comfortable shoes are required, and the outdoor sections mean you should dress for the weather.

The small group limit is a real advantage. With six people or fewer, you should have a better chance to ask about grape growing, olive oil, schnapps, herbs, and the Bijaći area. It also makes the meal feel more like a hosted gathering than a bus excursion.

My verdict: book it for the host and the full farm story

Book this experience if you want to understand where Dalmatian food and drink come from, not just sample them at a counter. The strongest reasons are Kathrin’s hands-on hosting, the chance to bottle wine from the tank, the wide local tasting menu, and the relaxed orchard setting.

Think twice if $173 feels high for a 3.5-hour activity or if you prefer a formal winery tour with detailed technical tasting instruction. This outing is more personal and cultural than formal. For the right audience, that is exactly its value.

The five available ratings are all five stars, with repeated praise for Kathrin’s warmth, passion, food presentation, and personal care. Those details suggest that the host is not a side feature. She is the heart of the visit. If that kind of welcome sounds like your ideal afternoon near Trogir or Split, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the Kastela wine and olive tour last?

The experience lasts 210 minutes, or about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour takes place at Family Farm Strizic, Put Bijaća 38, 21217 Kastel Novi, Croatia.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from Bistro Baketina at Trogir City Beach and from the bus station on the main road near Split Airport. You can also meet directly at the estate.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, German, French, and Croatian.

What food is included?

The tasting includes dried prosciutto, aged Pag cheese, peka bread, sea-salted fish fillets, black olives, cheese-filled peppers, cherry tomatoes, olive oils, dried figs, and sugar-coated almonds.

Can I make my own bottle of wine?

Yes. You can fill, cork, and label a bottle of wine from the fermentation tanks.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18. It is also listed as unsuitable for people over 95.