COBO, agricultural and services business
OIB: 75571848277
Ribarska 2A, 21485 Komiža
MOB: +385(0)91 937 6990
E-MAIL: ivcevic.vina@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VinaIvcevic/
COBO, the Ivčević family's agricultural and services business from Komiža, is one of the most recognizable contemporary stories in Vis winemaking. Behind the name Vina Ivčević lies a family effort that connects Komiža's viticultural tradition, local varieties, the knowledge of new generations, and a deep understanding of the island landscape. Their production is not based solely on wine as a finished product, but on a long process of working with the land, the vine, stone, drought, and inherited knowledge passed down through generations on Vis.
A special place in their story is held by Palagružonka, an almost forgotten grape variety connected to Palagruža. It was Ante Ivčević who, after years of patient and demanding work, managed to bring this variety back to life. According to available records, it is an extremely rare vine with no known close relatives, which makes its preservation important not only for Vis but also for the broader story of Dalmatian viticulture diversity.
Palagružonka is also special due to its adaptation to extreme island conditions. It is described as a drought-resistant variety, thriving in the demanding conditions of rocky, sun-drenched, and windy terrain. This is precisely why its revitalization holds additional value in a time of climate change, when old local varieties can offer important answers to new challenges in agriculture. The Palagružonka Ivčević 2023 wine is described as light, fresh, with higher acidity and lower alcohol, featuring fruity aromas of apricot and peach.
Alongside Palagružonka, Vina Ivčević also cultivates other varieties important for Vis's viticultural identity, such as Vugava, Rukatac, Plavac, and Tribidrag. Their work demonstrates how old island agriculture should not be viewed merely as a memory of the past, but as a living practice that can evolve even in contemporary conditions. Here, the vineyard is not just an agricultural area, but part of Vis's cultural landscape: a space of work, family memory, dry stone walls, meager soil, and daily perseverance.
Today, younger generations continue this family story. In recent years, brothers Antonio and Frane Ivčević have expanded the vineyards, opened a wine shop, and connected winemaking with tourism, bringing new knowledge and a more modern approach to the family production. HRT presents them as young, educated winemakers who brought knowledge gained off the island back to Komiža, continuing their father Ante's work with the aim of preserving indigenous varieties.
The value of their work is also confirmed by awards. Vis Prošek Ivčević 2017 was declared the winner in the sweet wines category and the overall winner of the Holiday Wine Stars 2025 with 95 points. Such success is particularly significant because it shows that small island producers, when they rely on knowledge, quality, and authenticity, can be recognized in the wider wine world.
COBO / Vina Ivčević are therefore much more than a local wine producer. They represent an example of preserving living heritage: from saving a rare variety, through the continuation of family viticulture, to creating products that carry the story of Komiža, Palagruža, the Vis land, and the people who cultivate it. Their work directly aligns with the values of the Vis Archipelago Geopark, demonstrating how natural, cultural, and economic heritage can be preserved through daily work, local production, and a responsible attitude towards the environment.
