The Best Croatian White Wine Case

In the center of the island of Korčula, the freshwater ponds that feed the vineyards of the village of Smokvica are a remarkable gift of nature. Local people call this place “Merga Victa,” meaning “path for water” in old Dalmatian dialect. Vineyards are located on the outskirts of Smokvica, the birthplace of Pošip. Local people have planted indigenous grape varieties on terraced fields carved out of rocky hillsides, fed by the water from the streams. Today’s winemakers do most of their work by hand, just like their ancestors.

Family Josić from Osijek in 1999 bought an old wine cellar from 1935. They have restored it, equip it with modern technology while preserving the traditional look of the wine cellar. At the same time, they bought around 1.6 hectares of old vineyards. Josić Wines are made from authentic Baranja varieties that ripen in ancient vineyards on Banova kosa. The restaurant and winery are located in the ambiance of the so-called Sarduk, in the idyllic Baranja village Zmajevac. Sarduk is a Turkish name for the characteristic opening in the hill with wine cellars buried in the ground, so-called gators. Characteristic for Sarduk is that the temperature is consistent at any time of the year,  between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius. Ideal for wine.

As Ivica Matošević says; “Winemaking is not your 7 to 3 job. It is a challenge you face every single day of the year. It is your working hours and your job description. You contemplate the sky, confer with the sun and the clouds, you discuss with the forecast, chat with the grape wines and flatter the grapes…and you are still in your right mind. Actually, to enjoy it, you have to be a bit wacky.” Central Istrian wine region, Grimalda area, vineyard Brdo. This is a blend of three varieties; Chardonnay, Istrian Malvasia and Sauvignon Blanc, in ratios of 50- 25-25. The grapes are complex due to low yields on very sunny terraces; up to a kilo per vine.

Medea Winery was founded in 1956 by merging farmers cooperatives that existed in the village of Rovinj, Pula and Barban. Today they own 48 acres of vineyards. Despite the size of the winery, it produces only 30,000 bottles of high-quality wine a year, while the rest still ends up as table wine. However, the plan to switch exclusively to quality has already begun and we can’t wait to drink the fruits of their labor. Just walk through one of the series of our vineyards that cover a total of 60 hectares and soak up the smell of grapes, and in it the Istrian spirit of culture, tradition and heritage.

Istria is the land of a great tradition. The foundation of Meneghetti philosophy is the quality of life in harmony with the nature that surrounds us and influences us. In Meneghetti winery they approach winemaking with love and knowledge – just like everything they do. Grapevine, with its fruits and their liquid core, is the symbol of the Istrian soil – the terroir of unique diversity. Along with the indigenous varieties, they are cultivating international varieties that get special characteristics, affected by the local terroir, the unique soil and the environment full of Mediterranean. vegetation. Their vineyards are processed in an environmentally sustainable way, with a deep respect for nature. We use Simonit & Sirch method. The resin is soft, always done by hand, to preserve the plant and increase its chances to reach a high age.

Pošip is one of Croatian white varieties with the greatest potential. This wine comes from Korcula, the old vineyards that are traditionally the best microlocation for growing Posip. The winery is from the island of Brač, unique and famous for its white stone (Stina). Many famous Croatian poets, authors, sculptors, and painters were born on Brač. Brač stone has always been a source of inspiration due to its beauty, but it is also a symbol of hardship when it comes to viticulture and viniculture. And that is where the inspiration for the name STINA comes from. In the Dalmatian dialect, this word means stone, the strongest symbol of the island of Brač.