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Mendacity largely in Croatia, the Istrian peninsula sees cool breezes from the Alps meet Mediterranean sunshine, whereas its shores are washed by the azure waters of the Adriatic. Walled coastal cities, Roman ruins and medieval villages dot the panorama – in addition to, in fact, winemakers’ prized vineyards. Wine has been made right here for hundreds of years, and native varieties are a matter of satisfaction.
Istria’s key grapes
Malvazija Istarska
Istria’s versatile flagship white: contemporary, vibrant kinds, wood-aged expressions and orange wines.
Muškat Momjanski
An fragrant white grape from the city of Momjan.
Muškat Ruža
A pink-skinned selection with raspberry, grapey character.
Teran
Strong and tannic reds with bilberry and raspberry notes.
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Indigenous grapes such because the splendidly versatile Malvazija Istarska and the more and more spectacular, strong pink Teran develop alongside Muscats of all colors and a smattering of worldwide grapes (predominantly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay). Wineries listed here are usually family-owned, many tracing their historical past again over a century, and guests can at all times make certain of a heat welcome.
The tasting room at Deklić.
Deklić
The Deklić household is rightly happy with their dramatic new vineyard close to the city of Vižinada. It has already helped the household take their wines to the following degree: Deklić received Greatest Aged Malvazija Istarska on the 2024 Vinistra wine occasion. In 1920, Marko Deklić based the property with only one hectare; right this moment the vineyard is run by his great-grandson David Deklić, supported by his siblings Dino and Lucija, whereas their grandfather Konstantin oversees the vineyards.
Crimson soils are uncommon on this location, however give richness and construction to the wines. Naturally, Malvazija Istarska is the important thing grape right here, however Teran, Merlot and Cabernet are additionally spectacular.
Kabola’s organically farmed vineyards.
Kabola
As you head by means of its vineyards and up Kabola’s cypress-lined drive, you may be forgiven for considering you had been in Tuscany – and in reality, this space has stood in for Italy in fi lms. Situated close to Buje, the previous stone-built constructing has not too long ago been renovated with new vineyard amenities. Based in 2004, Kabola was one of many first fashionable wineries within the area, and its proprietor, Marino Markežić, has continued to be a pioneer. An early adopter of natural viticulture, Markežić was the primary within the space to make wine in amphorae. Native grapes are Kabola’s focus, produced in a variety of kinds from elegant sparklings to profound and sophisticated amphora wines.
The Kozlović vineyard in northwest Istria.
Kozlović
The fantastic inexperienced valley of Valle (close to Buje), the place the Kozlović household has lived for over a century, is right this moment house to their gorgeous fashionable vineyard. Gianfranco and Antonella (now joined by their daughter Gianna, the household’s fifth technology) had been the primary to provide the modern, contemporary type of Malvazija Istarska that set the usual within the area. The vineyard additionally led the best way with oak-fermented and single-vineyard expressions of Malvazija Istarska earlier than turning to the native pink selection Teran. Kozlović produces each a youthful type, stuffed with crunchy, juicy raspberry and pepper, and a profound, age-worthy single-vineyard model.
Matošević’s Grimalda winery.
Matošević
Ivica Matošević is a key determine in fashionable Istrian winemaking, having left a profession in science to turn into a full-time winemaker 25 years in the past. The Matošević vineyard lies near the dramatic Lim Channel, a high vacationer vacation spot, and has vineyards in two places. One, on a chalky hilltop near Buje, offers aromatic, elegant Malvazija Istarska, produced in a number of kinds: from contemporary and crisp to a honeyed, spicy model aged in acacia. The second web site is the steep Grimalda winery close to the city of Pazin. Right here within the cool, hilly coronary heart of Istria, Matošević produces blends that interweave one of the best of native and worldwide grapes.
The barrel room at Rossi vineyard.
Rossi
The Rossi household have Italian roots, settling in in Vižinada in 1885, however right this moment they’re Istrian by means of and thru. Brothers Luka, Marko and Filip run the enterprise, craft the wine and handle the hospitality facet respectively. The vineyard, constructed of honey-coloured native stone, presents fabulous views throughout the panorama – which can be seen from the air, because the vineyard presents flights with Helifly Istria. Marko makes a chic, contemporary Malvazija Istarska in addition to an inviting rosé and a severe Bordeaux mix. Templara, in the meantime, is a creamy, complicated expression of Malvazija Istarska from Rossi’s most interesting plots, on chalk-rich white soils.
The trendy Tomaz vineyard.
Tomaz
The gorgeous Tomaz vineyard sits within the coronary heart of Istria, overlooking the Mirna river from a small hill close to the fairy-tale medieval city of Motovun. The vineyard’s proprietor, Klaudio Tomaz, has at all times been unconventional: switching from working as a butcher to changing into a passionate, self-taught winemaker, he produced his first industrial classic in 2009. He sees his wines as carrying the soul of Motovun, a location identified for nice expressions of Teran – his high pink is the extreme, layered Barbarossa Teran. Malvazija Istarska additionally has a particular place right here: unusually, Tomaz’s skin-contact Sesto Senso spends time in mulberry and acacia.
Map credit score: JP Map Graphics Ltd
Visiting Istria: The place to remain
Istria presents an outstanding alternative of lodging for wine lovers, starting from boutique inns connected to wineries to fashionable seafront resorts and restored stone villas hidden amongst vineyards – listed here are 5 of our favourites:
Meneghetti Wine Lodge & Vineyard
The Meneghetti property is a peaceable world of its personal. Centring on a stone villa and effective eating restaurant, it now presents luxurious lodging as a member of the celebrated Relais & Châteaux group in addition to aerial excursions by way of Helifly Istria. The trendy vineyard (with an annual manufacturing capability of 150,000 bottles) hosts tastings, the place you may discover the breadth of Meneghetti’s portfolio, from traditional-method glowing to strong reds, in addition to olive oil.
Grand Lodge Brioni Pula.
Grand Lodge Brioni Pula
On the Verudela peninsula, the luxurious Grand Lodge Brioni Pula, a Radisson Assortment Lodge, is ideally located for these desirous to discover the wineries of southern Istria. The waterside resort dates from the Nineteen Seventies, when it hosted actors and musicians together with Abba and Boney M after they carried out at Pula’s amphitheatre. Utterly renovated in 2022, it boasts elegant décor, a spa and a 60-metre sea-view infinity pool – and visitors may even take a ship journey to the close by Brijuni Nationwide Park.
Stancija Baracija & Clai Vineyard.
Stancija Baracija & Clai Vineyard
Located in Krasica close to Buje, Clai Vineyard is extremely regarded for its pure wines. The vineyard’s 10 hectares of vineyards are cooled by sea breezes from the Adriatic, which is just six miles to the west. Amongst its 5 hectares of olive groves, in the meantime, stands Stancija Baracija, a renovated Nineteenth-century villa with rustic-chic decor, eight double rooms, a sauna and outside pool. The identical house owners run the close by Stara Škola restaurant, serving beautiful native, seasonal fare.
Roxanich Vineyard & Design Lodge.
Roxanich Vineyard & Design Lodge
Under the medieval partitions of the hilltop city of Motovun, overlooking the vineyards and oak forests of the Mirna Valley (famed for tru es), Roxanich opened in 2019. Its vineyard takes up the decrease flooring, with a terrace restaurant upstairs, and an infinity pool within the backyard. Roxanich prides itself on its natural and minimal intervention winemaking. The realm is famous for its expressions of flagship pink selection Teran, and Roxanich and quite a few different native wineries supply tastings.
Grand Park Lodge Rovinj.
Grand Park Lodge Rovinj
In Rovinj, on Istria’s west coast, this waterside resort makes for an opulent base from which to discover Istrian wine. The resort boasts a rooftop spa and swimming pools with dazzling views of the Venetian-era previous city. Its rooms are luxurious but modern and have specifically commissioned art work. Advantageous eating choices embrace Agli Amici (with two Michelin stars) and Cap Aureo, which presents a tasting menu for a 20-plate journey by means of Istrian meals and wine.
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