For those who’re a wine fanatic planning to journey to Croatia quickly, you shouldn’t miss the chance to go to among the finest wineries in Istria throughout your journey.
Typically known 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 like 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 bought 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 finest wineries in Istria!
The Finest Wineries in Istria
Kozlović
Situated in Momjan, Kozlović is among the finest wineries in Istria. Wine manufacturing on this household began in 1904 and as we speak the fourth era runs the vineyard. The household’s purpose is to by no means cease innovating whereas preserving the heritage and traditions of their ancestors. This has resulted in one of the fashionable wineries in Istria.
Utilizing the pure inclination of the rolling hills, the facet partitions are lined in Mediterranean vegetation, giving a pure cooling impact. The Kozlović wines have been acknowledged across the globe, could be present in Michelin-star eating places, and are distributed to a number of nations, together with the US.
Kozlović Vineyard has quite a lot of premium-label wines, from Malvazija and Teran to Rosé and Muscat. For those who go to the vineyard, which is out there on our Croatia and Slovenia wine itinerary, you’ll take pleasure in 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 strive a few of it as properly.
Clai
Clai is positioned 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 various wines, and in the future whereas having a glass, he began pondering that perhaps he may produce his personal wine. So he did.
The very best 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 all the time 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 moreover these, you’ll be able to strive 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 in addition put together some delicacies. His daughter can be an enormous fan of fruit brandies and liqueurs, which suggests you can additionally style a few of her selfmade creations whereas there.
Dobravac
Dobravac is positioned within the stunning 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 massive 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 all the time made wine, however like many Croatian households, it was for private consumption moderately than a enterprise. Damir needed one thing totally different, which was not straightforward, contemplating the variety of wineries in Istria already. His stubbornness was the important thing. Right now he could be happy with his wine assortment and the awards he has received all through the years.
He produces quite a lot of wines, from Malvazija and Teran to orange wines. The household hasn’t stopped the manufacturing of greens both, and many of the unique motels in Rovinj purchase their greens from them. For those who add Rovinj as a cease to your Croatia itinerary, we will prepare so that you can keep on the household’s villa, full with the cutest little wine bar within the foyer space. You may even get the prospect to fulfill Damir and have a chat with him over a glass of fantastic wine.
Matošević
Situated in Krunčići, the northernmost a part of the Mediterranean, Matosević differs from many of the finest wineries in Istria on this listing. The story of this vineyard doesn’t begin a couple 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 needed to create an ideal winery that will replicate within the glass. He began in his cousin’s winery whereas he was searching for his personal spot, which is now in Krunčići.
Ivica typically says that he did a salto mortale, a lethal spin, that modified his life utterly. However it turned out to be a really profitable one. From the basic and most simple wines to wine blends and aged wine, each wine lover will discover their good glass at Matosević.
Roxanich
One other beginner 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 right place for his dream winery. Throughout this search, he met a person with an analogous imaginative and prescient, as we speak his enterprise associate. Collectively they created their winery within the space of Višnjan.
Some name the Roxanich wines excessive resulting from lengthy macerations and maturation instances. It takes seven years for the wines to maneuver from barrels to bottles. That excessive approach of winemaking has paid off, although, as these wines are globally acknowledged and could be discovered all around the world. On the vineyard, there’s an fascinating choice that shouldn’t be missed.
In 2019, Roxanich Vineyard opened a lodge within the hilltop city of Motovun with big wine cellars and tasting rooms. An fascinating place to spend a couple of nights, don’t you suppose? For those who agree, we will embrace 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 important choice, 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 every part began in his storage. Some grapes for candy wines they even dried of their home. Marko’s philosophy is that you must love the vineyards and vines if you wish to make good wine. You could know your grapes from starting to finish.
The Fakin wines have affordable costs, because the household desires to remain honest in the direction of their clients. The wine tasting room is located on the foothills of gorgeous Motovun, near Rovinj. Get able to strive some Fakin good wines right here!
Coronica
Situated close to Umag, the Coronica group says they make wine within the winery and check out to not break it within the cellar. They’re distinctive in making an attempt 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 method to winemaking.
Amongst their wines, yow will discover some nice Malvazija, mineral and younger, however as Moreno says, his wine of the long run is Teran. Their Teran redefined the time period Teran in Istria, and along with his persistence, Teran is now identified within the wine world as a posh wine with massive potential.
Cattunar
In Brtonigla, you’ll discover one of many largest non-public winemakers in Istria, Cattunar. Winemaking began right here within the ’80s. Earlier than Malvazija got here into vogue, the Cattunar group realized that it was their future, and began perfecting their manufacturing methods immediately.
They researched the 4 kinds of soil on their property (gray, purple, white, and black) and planted Malvazija on every. Due to this fact, their provide consists of Malvazija wine coming from all 4 several types of soil.
Apart from Malvazija, in addition they produce Teran and Muscat, that are typical of this space, but in addition among the massive international names, like Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Merlot.
Trapan
Trapan is positioned 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 outdated. His angle, power, and confidence have been very much-needed for fulfillment.
For Bruno, wine is a medium that connects individuals. He desires to create wines that convey pleasure and pleasure to individuals’s lives. With typical Croatian wine varieties historically coming from this space, he did one thing that individuals thought could be unimaginable. He made Syrah wines and shortly he began successful prestigious awards.
On the Trapan Wine Station, moreover wine, you’ll be able to pattern a large gastronomic provide based mostly on native and seasonal components.
Style The Finest 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.
For those who’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 finest wineries in Istria.
Ivana got here to JayWay with loads of expertise in tourism, alongside a level in Tourism and Advertising and marketing. Though she labored with a number of massive British tour operators over time, Ivana discovered that working with massive group excursions wasn’t for her, since she most well-liked to get to know the individuals she was working for, and commit time to them, so JayWay was an ideal match. Ivana naturally likes to journey, and is an enormous foodie, however she particularly likes to learn a superb guide, and revel in wonderful Croatian wine.
