Vineyards in Istria
Lying largely in Croatia, the Istrian peninsula sees cool breezes from the Alps meet Mediterranean sunshine, while its shores are washed by the azure waters of the Adriatic. Walled coastal towns, Roman ruins and medieval villages dot the landscape – as well as, of course, winemakers’ prized vineyards. Wine has been made here for centuries, and native varieties are a matter of pride.
Istria’s key grapes
Malvazija Istarska
Istria’s versatile flagship white: fresh, vibrant styles, wood-aged expressions and orange wines.
Muškat Momjanski
An aromatic white grape from the town of Momjan.
Muškat Ruža
A pink-skinned variety with raspberry, grapey character.
Teran
Robust and tannic reds with bilberry and raspberry notes.
Indigenous grapes such as the wonderfully versatile Malvazija Istarska and the increasingly impressive, robust red Teran grow alongside Muscats of all colours and a smattering of international grapes (predominantly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay). Wineries here are typically family-owned, many tracing their history back over a century, and visitors can always be sure of a warm welcome.
The tasting room at Dekli?.
Dekli?
The Dekli? family is rightly proud of their dramatic new winery near the town of Vižinada. It has already helped the family take their wines to the next level: Dekli? won Best Aged Malvazija Istarska at the 2024 Vinistra wine event. In 1920, Marko Dekli? founded the estate with just one hectare; today the winery is run by his great-grandson David Dekli?, supported by his siblings Dino and Lucija, while their grandfather Konstantin oversees the vineyards.
Red soils are unusual in this location, but give richness and structure to the wines. Naturally, Malvazija Istarska is the key grape here, but Teran, Merlot and Cabernet are also impressive.
Kabola’s organically farmed vineyards.
Kabola
As you head through its vineyards and up Kabola’s cypress-lined drive, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Tuscany – and in fact, this area has stood in for Italy in fi lms. Located near Buje, the old stone-built building has recently been renovated with new winery facilities. Founded in 2004, Kabola was one of the first modern wineries in the region, and its owner, Marino Markeži?, has continued to be a pioneer. An early adopter of organic viticulture, Markeži? was the first in the area to make wine in amphorae. Local grapes are Kabola’s focus, produced in a range of styles from elegant sparklings to profound and complex amphora wines.
The Kozlovi? winery in northwest Istria.
Kozlovi?
The glorious green valley of Valle (near Buje), where the Kozlovi? family has lived for over a century, is today home to their stunning modern winery. Gianfranco and Antonella (now joined by their daughter Gianna, the family’s fifth generation) were the first to produce the contemporary, fresh style of Malvazija Istarska that set the standard in the region. The winery also led the way with oak-fermented and single-vineyard expressions of Malvazija Istarska before turning to the local red variety Teran. Kozlovi? produces both a youthful style, full of crunchy, juicy raspberry and pepper, and a profound, age-worthy single-vineyard version.
Matoševi?’s Grimalda vineyard.
Matoševi?
Ivica Matoševi? is a key figure in modern Istrian winemaking, having left a career in science to become a full-time winemaker 25 years ago. The Matoševi? winery lies close to the dramatic Lim Channel, a top tourist destination, and has vineyards in two locations. One, on a chalky hilltop close to Buje, gives fragrant, elegant Malvazija Istarska, produced in several styles: from fresh and crisp to a honeyed, spicy version aged in acacia. The second site is the steep Grimalda vineyard near the town of Pazin. Here in the cool, hilly heart of Istria, Matoševi? produces blends that interweave the best of local and international grapes.
The barrel room at Rossi…
Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/sponsored/exploring-istrias-wine-estates-541406/
