For those who’re a wine fanatic planning to journey to Croatia quickly, you shouldn’t miss the chance to go to a few of the finest wineries in Istria throughout your journey.
Usually known as the Tuscany of Croatia, Istria is a area identified not just for its allure 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 prime 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 obtained 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 a few of the finest wineries in Istria!
The Finest Wineries in Istria
Kozlović
Situated in Momjan, Kozlović is without doubt one of the finest wineries in Istria. Wine manufacturing on this household began in 1904 and at the moment the fourth technology runs the vineyard. The household’s objective is to by no means cease innovating whereas preserving the heritage and traditions of their ancestors. This has resulted in probably the most fashionable wineries in Istria.
Utilizing the pure inclination of the rolling hills, the aspect 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 international locations, 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 accessible 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 should have the prospect to strive a few of it as effectively.
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 at some point whereas having a glass, he began pondering that possibly he may produce his personal wine. So he did.
One of the best phrase to explain Giorgio’s wines can 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 ideas. 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 may 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 likewise put together some delicacies. His daughter can be a giant fan of fruit brandies and liqueurs, which implies that you could additionally style a few of her do-it-yourself creations whereas there.
Dobravac
Dobravac is situated 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 had 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 slightly than a enterprise. Damir needed one thing totally different, which was not simple, contemplating the variety of wineries in Istria already. His stubbornness was the important thing. Right this moment he could be pleased with his wine assortment and the awards he has gained 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 a lot of the unique inns 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 would possibly 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 a lot of the finest wineries in Istria on this record. The story of this vineyard doesn’t begin just a few 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 may replicate within the glass. He began in his cousin’s winery whereas he was on the lookout 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 fully. 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 excellent glass at Matosević.
Roxanich
One other newbie on this record of the perfect wineries in Istria, the proprietor of Roxanich is an engineer who hung out at vineyards in France, close to well-known winemakers. He determined to depart engineering and comply with his ardour by discovering the proper place for his dream winery. Throughout this search, he met a person with the same imaginative and prescient, at the moment his enterprise companion. 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 method 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 attention-grabbing 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 attention-grabbing place to spend just a few nights, don’t you suppose? For those who agree, we will embody a keep at Roxanich in your customized Croatia itinerary.
Fakin
Though the Fakin household has been rising grapes for years, they’d been promoting them to different Istrian wineries, who in flip had 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 amazing 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.
Regionally, 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 you need to love the vineyards and vines if you wish to make good wine. It is advisable know your grapes from starting to finish.
The Fakin wines have cheap 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 strive some Fakin good wines right here!
Coronica
Situated close to Umag, the Coronica group says they make wine within the winery and take a look at 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 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 fancy wine with massive 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 group realized that it was their future, and began perfecting their manufacturing methods instantly.
They researched the 4 kinds of soil on their property (gray, pink, white, and black) and planted Malvazija on every. Due to this fact, their supply contains Malvazija wine coming from all 4 various kinds of soil.
Moreover Malvazija, in addition they produce Teran and Muscat, that are typical of this space, but in addition a few of the massive 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 outdated. His perspective, vitality, and confidence had been very much-needed for fulfillment.
For Bruno, wine is a medium that connects folks. He desires to create wines that convey pleasure and pleasure to folks’s lives. With typical Croatian wine varieties historically coming from this space, he did one thing that individuals thought can be not possible. He made Syrah wines and shortly he began successful prestigious awards.
On the Trapan Wine Station, in addition to wine, you may pattern a large gastronomic supply primarily based on native and seasonal substances.
Style The Finest Istrian Wine With Us
This record of the perfect wineries in Istria isn’t exhaustive as there are such a lot of high quality wineries within the space that we couldn’t probably point out all of them in only one sitting. Different wineries to think about are Piquentum, Franković, Degrassi, Ipša, Meneghetti, Verlada, Tomaz, Medea, Kabola, Arman, Damjanic, Benvenut, and the record goes on.
For those who’re eager on savoring the perfect Istrian wine throughout your journey to Croatia, relaxation assured that we are going to sprinkle your itinerary with visits to a few of 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 folks she was working for, and dedicate time to them, so JayWay was an ideal match. Ivana naturally likes to journey, and is a giant foodie, however she particularly likes to learn a superb e-book, and revel in wonderful Croatian wine.
