Americans Lee and Penny Anderson traveled to post-war Croatia in 2001 with the non-profit organization St. David's Relief Foundation in an effort to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Andersons assisted in the reconstruction of schools and infrastructure for the thousands of people who remained displaced by the devastating war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. While there, the Andersons traveled to neighboring Croatia and fell in love with the scenic and architectural beauty of southern Croatia, its strong cultural heritage, fine cuisine, and, to their surprise, the wine!



Lee and Penny’s long-time passion for wine (they are Original Trustees of the Naples Winter Wine Festival in Naples, Florida) and their newfound passion for Croatia inspired them to establish Korta Katarina. They purchased the well-known Rivijera hotel on the Adriatic Sea in the small southern Croatian town of Orebić, began buying small parcels of land in the Dingač and Postup regions of the Pelješac Peninsula, and ultimately in 2006, Korta Katarina released its first vintage. Since that time, the Andersons have overseen construction of the state-of-the-art Korta Katarina winery, tasting room, and wine bar, and the new boutique hotel Villa Korta Katarina. 

Recently, their commitment to the winery and villa was rewarded with membership in the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association. This group, made up of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants worldwide, was established in France in 1954 and has strict admission standards. Prospective and current members must demonstrate adherence to the organization’s “five C’s”: Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm, and (exceptional) Cuisine. Korta Katarina and Villa Katarina have proven that they belong in this exclusive club.