From Chicago to Split: Celebrating five years in Croatia with 100th winery milestone
- by croatiaweek
- in Food & Wine
Jules Prom at Domaine Koquelicot
Split, Croatia, 20 October 2025 – Jules Prom, a passionate wine adventurer, who arrived in Croatia by “happy accident” during the COVID-19 pandemic, visited her 100th Croatian winery, Domaine Koquelicot in Gračišće, Istria, on 18 October.
This achievement caps a five-year journey exploring every major Croatian wine region, from Dalmatia’s coast and islands to Istria, Slavonia, Plešivica, and beyond, and cements her passion for Croatia’s warm, welcoming wine community.
A Journey Born of Serendipity
Originally enroute to Porto, Portugal, in March 2020 from her hometown Chicago, Prom’s plans were upended when its borders closed.
Seeking a country that would admit her, she chose Croatia and settled in Split. What was meant to be a few months’ stay stretched into a love affair: by January 2021, she knew she’d found her home.
From 60 Wineries in 6 months to 100 in Five Years
Although Prom had visited over 200 wineries worldwide as a hobby since 2009, she only discovered Croatia’s wine scene in October 2020 when turning 59.
Determined to mark her 60th year in a unique way, she vowed to visit 60 new wineries by age 60, journeying through France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.
That experience ignited her love of Croatian wines, leading her to focus on Croatia’s vineyards thereafter. Five years later, she’s achieved 100 unique visits, becoming a familiar guest at both renowned estates and intimate family-run cellars.
Prom’s map of Croatian wineries visited
A Milestone Celebration at Domaine Koquelicot
Prom met the Domaine Koquelicot owner, Jacqueline Marovac, first at VINOcom in Zagreb and then again at the Grapeston Wine Festival in Ston.
Fascinated by Prom’s story, Marovac invited her to visit her winery as the 100th. The 100th winery celebration took place on 18 October and included a special friend of Prom’s, Karlo Kapusta from Bespoke Croatia, who guided Prom to her first Croatian winery and many more.
The gathering included a commemorative tasting, highlighting the friendships at the heart of Croatia’s wine culture.
Jacqueline Marovac (Domaine Koquelicot), Prom, and Karlo Kapusta (Bespoke Croatia)
Championing a Personal, Sensory Wine Experience
Having tasted wines at 200+ wineries worldwide, Prom stated, “I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, taste, and variety of the Croatian indigenous grapes like Plavac Mali, Teran, Pošip, Debit, and Babić.”
“Every winery visit has been a personal journey of discovery, and I want to share that sense of exploration and joy with others.” Prom emphasizes that wine appreciation is a personal, sensory journey. “Don’t be intimidated by experts—describe wines in your own terms and trust your palate,” she advises.
Kapusta, Prom, Marovac, and Olivier Ertzbischoff (husband of Marovac and co-owner of Domaine Koquelicot)
What’s Next?
Prom vows never to stop exploring: “I will visit every Croatian winery I can—then return to share the experience with others.” Prom has formed a new venture, The Wine Woman.
Prom at Domaine Koquelicot
Her goal is to demystify wine culture and foster community through curated tastings with social gatherings that invite novices and connoisseurs alike to celebrate Croatia’s extraordinary wines.
