Croatian Charm Pours Into Sydney with New Wine Bar ‘Mali Ston’
Photos: Mali Ston
In a cozy corner of Sydney, the spirit of the Croatian coastline has found a new home. Mali Ston, a recently opened wine bar named after the picturesque seaside village in southern Croatia, is already making waves with its authentic charm and carefully curated selection of Croatian wines.
At the heart of this venture is Ilija Raguz, a passionate hospitality veteran whose vision was to bring a slice of his heritage—and its rich winemaking tradition—to Australian shores. We sat down with Ilija to talk about the inspiration behind Mali Ston, his journey from Croatia to Sydney, and what wine lovers can expect when they step through his doors.
Let’s start from the beginning—can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from in Croatia, and what brought you to open a wine bar?
I am from a village called Dubrave in Stolac, Hercegovina and grew up surrounded by people who had an understanding and appreciation for agriculture and viticulture. As a result, I have always had an natural interest in wine production — as each vineyard tells a story, there is history behind every bottle, and wine always creates connections between people. I migrated to Australia in 1989 and began working in the construction industry, where I started my own business over 30 years ago.
I also recently opened a pizza shop a few doors down from the wine bar but turning my passion for a good drop into my very own wine bar was my signature way of sharing my passion and experience with others. It was to be the place where I could entertain others and feel at home. It’s where I can provide exceptional service in a space where every glass sparkl curiosity, conversation, and an appreciation for the craft that goes into every vintage.
How did the idea of opening a wine bar come about? Was it a long-time dream or something more spontaneous?
It was through my socialising with clients across different industries, that we would connect and share our experiences, often over a glass of wine. I then had the idea to start importing boutique wines from all over the world, particularly from Europe and South Africa, which is when I started my wine distribution company, Stone and Vine Co. My personal connection with Hercegovina inspired me to import premium wine from Podrumi Andrija in Čitluk.
Opening a wine bar was always going to be that next step. It was just about finding the right time in my life and the right space to bring this dream to life.
I stumbled upon a welcoming space and neighbouring suburb called Dulwich Hill, which on its own has a vibrant community. However, I felt there was a real gap, almost like a missing piece for a cozy Croatian inspired mediterranean-bar which could bring people together over good wine, shared plates and a destination where people can connect, unwind and feel
Mali Ston – town with more of a personal connection
Why “Mali Ston”?
The wine bar had a different name with an Italian vibe when I originally purchased it. However, I wanted it to be more representative of me. I was deciding between the names Ragusa and Mali Ston and came to the realisation that you can find Ragusa’s everywhere whereas Mali Ston was more unique and would draw more attention.
Plus, Mali Ston was a town that had more of a personal connection with me. I would pass through when traveling through Dalmatia to Dubrovnik on my way to and from Hercegovina when I was younger. Many years later, I returned to visit family, reconnected with my roots and reignited my knowledge and passion for the land that I grew up in.
When I again passed through this beautiful quiet little town, where I sat by the water with a glass of white wine, paired with a black squid risotto at the famous “Kapetanova Kuća” and never forgot about my experience or the town itself. I very much prefer the tranquillity of a small town over the bigger cities. Mali Ston is famous for it’s pebbles and has more of a synchronicity with my wine importing company Stone and Vine Co.
It was the moment when I began the venture into achieving my lifelong dream, that I thought it fitting to coin the term Mali Ston, with this Croatian-inspired bar, where I could host a place for people to chill in Dulwich Hill was the best choice. And now when people that have been to Croatia are passing through, they stop and say “wow, we’ve been there”.
Mediterranean philosophy of living well
What is the concept or philosophy behind your wine bar? What kind of atmosphere are you trying to create?
Elegance. The key word is definitely elegance with a cosy atmosphere. The heart of our wine bar is the Mediterranean philosophy of living well—where conversations flow freely, and every glass of wine is a reason to gather accompanied by premium prosciutto and cheese.
It’s not just about what’s in the bottle, but the moments it creates. We draw inspiration from the sun-soaked coastlines, the simplicity of seasonal ingredients, and the deep-rooted traditions of winemaking that bring people together across generations. This space is about slowing down, savouring each sip, and sharing the experience with community. I want to introduce more of that vibe that I experienced at “Kapetanova Kuća” (The Captain’s House) and something Croatian that is universally appealing.
Plus I have so much more premium wines from all over the world and of course other types of spirits and liquors that I import exclusively. I have the exceptional “Honey Liqueur 7” from Dragan Tutić in Zagreb which certainly needs a mention.
What makes your wine bar different from others in the area?
What sets Mali Ston apart in Dulwich Hill is its fusion of laid-back charm with the area’s vibrant, multicultural energy. It’s not just a bar—it’s a reflection of a lifestyle. Where other venues may focus solely on live bands or café culture, this kind of space brings a deeper sense of connection: wines from across the Mediterranean—paired with simple, soulful food designed for sharing. It’s casual yet curated, relaxed but full of heart. The aesthetic has a warm vintage charm bringing late-night laughter, and a rotating list of wines that tell a story.
What kind of wines are you offering? Are you focusing mainly on Croatian wines, or do you also include international labels?
We offer a carefully curated selection of boutique wines exclusively from Italy, France, South Africa and Croatia, all served in a relaxing, yet elegant atmosphere. I do plan on importing a lot more of a variety of wines from different regions of Croatia from the south all the way to Slavonia in the north-east.
Are there any specific Croatian wine regions or winemakers that you feature?
Can you highlight a few Croatian wines on your menu that you are especially proud of? What makes them special?
Specifically, we feature Croatian wine from Hercegovina at the moment, where winemakers such as Podrumi Andrija produce some of our wines, from their cellar in Paoča, Čitluk owned and operated by the Miro Ćorić and the Ćoric family. A few Croatian wines that we are especially proud of from the Andrija selection are Žilavka, which is a fresh golden white wine local to the area, and Blatina, which is top quality ruby red with a distinct body. Blatina Selection in particular is my favourite wine.
Do you work directly with Croatian wineries? If so, how do you choose your suppliers?
Yes, I have a great relationship with the owner of Podrumi Andrija wines, Miro Ćorić, and his family, who are also passionate about sharing their craft with the world but I am also in direct contact with a number of other wineries which I plan to visit this year in Pelješac, Istra and Slavonia.
‘It’s a hobby without being a hobby’
Is food also part of the experience at your bar? If yes, what kind of food are you offering and how does it complement the wine selection?
Yes, of course! Food is integral to the experience we offer at the bar. With share plates, similar to tapas, we include an array of vintage cheeses, along with cured meats and Mediterranean accompaniments including figs and homemade focaccia with a subtle Croatian influence. People will see that touch through me and how proud I am of where I am from. I want other nationalities to experience.
Are you planning any events like wine tastings, guest winemakers, or themed nights?
We are planning to incorporate events in the future, such as wine tastings and also have evenings which feature and support local musicians that are fitting with our ambience and different styles of entertainment, who will contribute to the vibe of our bar within the heart of the community in Dulwich Hill.
We do plan on promoting a lot more of our wines at the wine bar and Miro Ćorić most definitely can’t wait to visit. I have had three guests from the Italian wineries in recent years and I’ve taken them to other restaurants, now I can host them at my place. It’s a passion and it’s near home. It’s a hobby without being a hobby.
How has the response been so far from the Croatian community and visitors?
We have had an overwhelmingly positive response and are grateful to the Croatian Community, who continually support us in our venture. We have been honoured to have visitors from the Hrvatski nogometni savez including Stipe Pletikosa and of course, at the opening of Mali Ston we had the legendary world famous artist Charles Billich and internationally renowned filmmaker Steve Ravić who are big supporters of my venture like I am a supporter of their work and ventures and of course I am a great believer in giving to charities, sporting clubs and culture especially the Croatian community.
Any plans for expansions, collaborations and final messages for the readers?
I had the idea, I made it happen and I am very proud of it. I fully renovated the place to perfection and I have had an obsession with making it like a 6-star hotel. The locals are all stopping congratulating me. As far as plans and expansions for the future, I do have some but I can’t mention them (because of my wife and three daughters) as they keep telling me, “Dad you have to stop… please, please you’ve done enough”. They want me to chill and this is obviously the idea way to chill. But I am already whispering to others about some ideas for the future.
All I can say is stay tuned and if you come to Mali Ston, you may hear a whisper or two. Who knows? Maybe I can open one in Brisbane, maybe I can open one in Melbourne? Who knows? We will see. Thank you for the time and please feel free to drop into Mali Ston in Dulwich Hill, Sydney!
