The Greatest Wineries in Istria, Croatia’s Tuscany

If you happen to’re a wine fanatic planning to journey to Croatia quickly, you shouldn’t miss the chance to go to among the greatest wineries in Istria throughout your journey.

Typically referred to as the Tuscany of Croatia, Istria is a area identified not just for its attraction but in addition for its wealthy wine-making historical past. Very similar to Tuscany, Istria’s geographical place, local weather, and soil have had a major influence on grape manufacturing all through the centuries, making it a high producer of world-renowned wines. As additional proof of the lengthy historical past of wine on this a part of the globe, the Kalavojna Bay close to Pula acquired its identify from the Greeks, who named it the Bay of Good Wine.

These days, Istria stays one of many largest wine areas in Croatia, with its terroir facilitating the expansion of classic grape varieties. Among the many many grape varieties grown listed below are two native specialties – Malvazija and Teran. With out additional ado, let’s drive alongside scenic wine roads, previous dreamy rolling hills, and go to among the greatest wineries in Istria!

The Greatest Wineries in Istria

Kozlović

Positioned in Momjan, Kozlović is likely one of the greatest wineries in Istria. Wine manufacturing on this household began in 1904 and right now the fourth technology runs the vineyard. The household’s aim is to by no means cease innovating whereas preserving the heritage and traditions of their ancestors. This has resulted in some of the trendy wineries in Istria.

Utilizing the pure inclination of the rolling hills, the facet partitions are coated in Mediterranean vegetation, giving a pure cooling impact. The Kozlović wines have been acknowledged across the globe, will be present in Michelin-star eating places, and are distributed to a number of nations, together with the US.

Kozlović Vineyard has a wide range of premium-label wines, from Malvazija and Teran to Rosé and Muscat. If you happen to go to the vineyard, which is offered on our Croatia and Slovenia wine itinerary, you’ll get pleasure from recent Malvazija mixed with superb views of the Valle Valley. In addition they produce award-winning olive oil there and you’ll have the prospect to attempt a few of it as properly.

Clai

Clai is situated within the village of Krasice, near Buje. Initially from Istria, the proprietor, Giorgio, had a small osteria in Trieste, the place he lived and labored, but in addition a small winery in Istria for private functions. Throughout his days within the osteria, he tried many alternative wines, and someday whereas having a glass, he began considering that perhaps he might produce his personal wine. So he did.

The most effective phrase to explain Giorgio’s wines could be natural, in each sense of the phrase. He doesn’t use any chemical substances, pesticides, yeast, or sugar. Simply natural fertilizers and a few biodynamic rules. He at all times says that he doesn’t make wine. Wine is made within the winery and he simply waits for his efforts to show into wine.

Giorgio’s favourite wines are blends, however in addition to these, you’ll be able to attempt some Cabernets, Pinots, Sauvignons, and naturally Malvazija and Refošk on the vineyard’s small tasting room, the place Giorgio’s spouse and daughter help him and likewise put together some delicacies. His daughter can be an enormous fan of fruit brandies and liqueurs, which implies that you could additionally style a few of her selfmade creations whereas there.

Dobravac

Dobravac is situated within the lovely Istrian metropolis of Rovinj. Damir, the proprietor, initially began his profession as a vegetable farmer. His manufacturing of wine got here later, as a response to huge grocery store chains that have been dictating the costs of his greens. Damir thought: Why not make wine and set my very own costs as an alternative?

His household had at all times made wine, however like many Croatian households, it was for private consumption reasonably than a enterprise. Damir wished one thing completely different, which was not simple, contemplating the variety of wineries in Istria already. His stubbornness was the important thing. At present he will be happy with his wine assortment and the awards he has received all through the years.

He produces a wide range of wines, from Malvazija and Teran to orange wines. The household hasn’t stopped the manufacturing of greens both, and a lot of the unique accommodations in Rovinj purchase their greens from them. If you happen to add Rovinj as a cease to your Croatia itinerary, we will organize so that you can keep on the household’s villa, full with the cutest little wine bar within the foyer space. You would possibly even get the prospect to satisfy Damir and have a chat with him over a glass of wonderful wine.

Matošević

Positioned in Krunčići, the northernmost a part of the Mediterranean, Matosević differs from a lot of the greatest wineries in Istria on this listing. The story of this vineyard doesn’t begin a number of generations earlier as a household custom. Ivica, the proprietor, actually began from scratch.

He spent a while working in Italy the place he fell in love with wine, and determined he wished to create an ideal winery that might replicate within the glass. He began in his cousin’s winery whereas he was in search of his personal spot, which is now in Krunčići.

Ivica usually says that he did a salto mortale, a lethal spin, that modified his life utterly. Nevertheless it turned out to be a really profitable one. From the basic and most elementary wines to wine blends and aged wine, each wine lover will discover their excellent glass at Matosević.

Roxanich

One other novice on this listing of one of the best wineries in Istria, the proprietor of Roxanich is an engineer who frolicked at vineyards in France, close to well-known winemakers. He determined to go away engineering and observe his ardour by discovering the proper place for his dream winery. Throughout this search, he met a person with the same imaginative and prescient, right now his enterprise companion. Collectively they created their winery within the space of Višnjan.

Some name the Roxanich wines excessive as a consequence of lengthy macerations and maturation instances. It takes seven years for the wines to maneuver from barrels to bottles. That excessive manner of winemaking has paid off, although, as these wines are globally acknowledged and will be discovered all around the world. On the vineyard, there’s an attention-grabbing choice that shouldn’t be missed.

In 2019, Roxanich Vineyard opened a lodge within the hilltop city of Motovun with large wine cellars and tasting rooms. An attention-grabbing place to spend a number of nights, don’t you suppose? If you happen to agree, we will embody a keep at Roxanich in your customized Croatia itinerary.

Fakin

Though the Fakin household has been rising grapes for years, that they had been promoting them to different Istrian wineries, who in flip have been successful medals for wines created from their grapes. However Marko, the proprietor, determined to alter this coverage and begin producing their very own wines as an alternative. This turned out to be an incredible resolution, as Marko began successful not only one medal at a time, however as much as 9 in a single competitors as a younger Malvazija champion.

Domestically, Marko is called the storage winemaker, as all the pieces began in his storage. Some grapes for candy wines they even dried of their home. Marko’s philosophy is that it’s a must to love the vineyards and vines if you wish to make good wine. It is advisable to know your grapes from starting to finish.

The Fakin wines have affordable costs, because the household desires to remain truthful in the direction of their clients. The wine tasting room is located on the foothills of gorgeous Motovun, near Rovinj. Get able to attempt some Fakin good wines right here!

Coronica

Positioned close to Umag, the Coronica workforce says they make wine within the winery and check out to not smash it within the cellar. They’re distinctive in attempting to emphasise the significance of vineyards, not cellars.

The Coronica household has been rising grapes for 4 generations. About 10 or 15 years in the past, they began with a little bit of a contemporary strategy to winemaking.

Amongst their wines, you could find some nice Malvazija, mineral and younger, however as Moreno says, his wine of the longer term is Teran. Their Teran redefined the time period Teran in Istria, and together with his persistence, Teran is now identified within the wine world as a fancy wine with huge potential.

Cattunar

In Brtonigla, you’ll discover one of many greatest non-public winemakers in Istria, Cattunar. Winemaking began right here within the ’80s. Earlier than Malvazija got here into vogue, the Cattunar workforce realized that it was their future, and began perfecting their manufacturing methods immediately.

They researched the 4 kinds of soil on their property (gray, crimson, white, and black) and planted Malvazija on every. Due to this fact, their supply consists of Malvazija wine coming from all 4 various kinds of soil.

In addition to Malvazija, additionally they produce Teran and Muscat, that are typical of this space, but in addition among the huge international names, like Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Merlot.

Trapan

Trapan is situated in Šišan, close to the seaside metropolis of Pula. Bruno, the proprietor, is one more winemaker who began from scratch when he was simply 25 years previous. His angle, vitality, and confidence have been very much-needed for achievement.

For Bruno, wine is a medium that connects individuals. He desires to create wines that carry pleasure and pleasure to individuals’s lives. With typical Croatian wine varieties historically coming from this space, he did one thing that folks thought could be not possible. He made Syrah wines and shortly he began successful prestigious awards.

On the Trapan Wine Station, in addition to wine, you’ll be able to pattern a large gastronomic supply primarily based on native and seasonal elements.

Style The Greatest Istrian Wine With Us

This listing of one of the best wineries in Istria isn’t exhaustive as there are such a lot of high quality wineries within the space that we couldn’t presumably point out all of them in only one sitting. Different wineries to contemplate are Piquentum, Franković, Degrassi, Ipša, Meneghetti, Verlada, Tomaz, Medea, Kabola, Arman, Damjanic, Benvenut, and the listing goes on.

If you happen to’re eager on savoring one of the best Istrian wine throughout your journey to Croatia, relaxation assured that we’ll sprinkle your itinerary with visits to among the greatest wineries in Istria.