Croatian Decanter award-winning wines: Ultimate guide

Find out which Croatian wines won medals at Decanter World Wine Awards from 2007 to 2022 and shop Decanter award-winning wines. Cheers!

Decanter 2022.

Croatia has won three platinum and 16 gold medals, dominating in white wines. The platinum medals were awarded to two white wines and one orange wine. Croatia once again shone at the 19th Decanter World Wine Awards in London this year among 18,244 labels that arrived from 54 countries worldwide (150 more than last year’s record).

In Decanter 2022 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 3 platinum awards, 
• 16 gold, 
• 111 silver, and 
• 184 bronze medals.

Over two weeks, nearly 250 international wine experts, including 41 Masters of Wine and 13 Master Sommeliers, were awarded 50 Best in Show medals, 165 platinum, 676 gold, 5,900 silver, and 8,074 bronze medals. It’s worth noting that three judges from our country were also among the experts.

Two white wines and one orange wine won platinum medals, scoring 97 points. 

• San Salvatore Muscat 2017 from Benvenuti Winery and 
• Santa Lucia Malvasia 2017 from Kozlović Winery are from Istria, 
• while the orange Haiku 2019 from Dvorska Šoškić winery is from Plešivica.

White wines dominated when it came to gold medals, with the coast taking the lead with ten medals – five going to Istria and the other five to Dalmatia.

Table 1. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2022

Decanter 2021.

Croatian wines earned three platinum and eight gold medals in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, the world’s largest wine competition annually in London. One wine region, Istria and Kvarner, was especially noteworthy, earning platinum and gold medals.

In Decanter 2021 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 3 platinum awards, 
• 8 gold, 
• 80 silver, and 
• 163 bronze medals.

This year’s DWWA competition was its strongest yet, with a record-breaking 18,094 different labels (three thousand more than the previous year) from 56 countries. During the two-week judging period in June, nearly 170 expert wine judges, including 44 masters of wine and 11 master sommeliers, awarded 50 Best in Show medals, 179 platinum, 635 gold, 5,607 silver, and 8,332 bronze medals.

Three white Croatian wines earned platinum medals with a score of 97 points.

• Defora Grk from the Bire winery and
• Pošip from the Zure winery are from the regions of Central and Southern Dalmatia, specifically from Lumbarde on the island of Korčula, 
• while San Salvatore Muškat from the Benvenuti winery is from the Istrian town of Kaldir.

The coastal regions of Croatia dominated in the gold medal category, with five medals going to Dalmatia and three to Istria.

Table 2. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2021

Decanter 2020.

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In Decanter 2020 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 3 platinum awards, 
• 11 gold, 
• 68 silver, and 
• 88 bronze medals.

170 medals in total for Croatian wines!

Istria confirmed its place at the forefront of Croatian winemaking, but the others joined in a share of medals, especially Dalmatia and Slavonia. 

And for the 97 points and the Platinum Decanter medal, here are the 3 whites: 

• 2017 Kozlović Selekcija Malvazija, 
• 2015 Cattunar Nono 4 Terre, and 
• 2018 Kutjevo Graševina de Gotho. 

Another step up for already two most successful Croatian varieties, Malvasia Istriana and Graševina (Welschriesling).

We are thrilled our beloved Testament winery from Dalmatia won two Gold medals. 95 points for the white wine Testament Pošip vintage 2019 and the red wine The Dalmatian Dog Babić vintage 2016. The same score shares Festigia wines from Vina Laguna in Istria. White Festigia Malvazija from 2016 and red Castello blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah from 2016.

Table 3. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2020

Decanter 2019.

Another great harvest for Croatian wine. Of 7 Golds, 6 went to Istria, which has the highest-rated wines, at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019.

In Decanter 2019 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 7 gold, 
• 55 silver, and 
• 77 bronze medals.

Again, Istria and its wines dominated the Decanter Awards 2019. The Istrian winemakers, once again, showed spectacular wines at the world’s most significant wine competition. 

The biggest surprise for Croatia was a long-awaited Gold medal for Plavac Mali. Also, the only Gold that went outside the grape-shaped, Istrian peninsula.

Damjanić winery white Clemente 2016, Malvasia Istriana dominated blend, and fresh Fakin Malvazija Istarska 2018. got the highest scores. 96 points ensured both a Gold medal.

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The flagship grape variety of Istria, Malvasia Istriana, showed exceptional. Rossi Malvazija Istarska 2018, Vina Anđelini Malvazija Istarska 2015, Vina Laguna Festigia Malvazija Vižinada Riserva 2015 got 95 points with the golden shine.

The only two red wines that got into this exclusive selection of the best wines in Croatia are Coronica Gran Teran 2015 and Marjan Winery, Vron Bod Plavac Mali, 2012.

For years, Teran has had the status of one of the leading red grape varieties, especially at international competitions. In contrast, until this year, Plavac never showed results like the ones achieved at this year’s Decanter Awards.

Moreno Coronica, one of the terroir-driven winemakers in Istria, has always been praised for his Gran Teran. A special wine that isn’t produced each year shows the great potential of this red variety. Mighty, complex, and extensive wine in every sense and an award as the crown of Moreno Coronica’s work in his wines.

First-ever Decanter Gold for Plavac Mali goes to Marjan Vron Bod 2012! Plavac Mali is the most worshiped red wine variety in Croatia. A wine symbol of the national prize, Plavac has a long history and is rooted in the veins of all wine lovers in the region.  The wild child of the Adriatic often came with high alcohol, some residual sugars, and a compelling structure.

On the sunniest Croatian island, Hvar, Plavac catches all the sun. Vineyards are often spread along the seaside, with the sun reflecting from the sea, rocky terrains, and the sky. All of those sun rays caught in a single berry, can you imagine the power accumulated?

Tonči Marjan is a boutique winemaker from the small village of Pitve on Hvar, producing a limited series of only around 1.000 bottles per label. Very passionate about his approach to Plavac Mali, in his interview for Vinske priče, Tonči said he finds Plavac mali wines with only 13-13,5 % of alcohol inferior.

Dedicated to producing extreme versions of Plavac Mali, leaving nobody indifferent, Tonči said he wouldn’t sell his wines to someone who doesn’t understand or appreciate the expression. With his limited production, he gathered many followers in recent years. People found something stunning and unforgettable in his wines.

Extreme Plavac Mali, winery Marjan Vron Bod 2012., is the first Plavac in Croatia with a gold medal from the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Vron Bod is a micro-location on Ivan Dolac’s vineyard position, as the winemaker would say, his “grand cru.”  Depending on the vintage, wines from this micro-location range from 14,5 – 16,7 % of alcohol and up to 20-30 grams of residual sugar.

This golden medal shines even stronger for the grape variety. As Tonči Marjan believes. Plavac Mali shouldn’t be tamed because it has what it takes to produce fascinating and unforgettable wine.

Table 4. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2019

Decanter 2018.

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Impressive results for the dynamic Croatian wine scene. Croatian winemakers received 10 Gold Awards at Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 and over 150 awards!

In Decanter 2018 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 10 gold, 
• 38 silver, and 
• 71 bronze medals.

Propulsive Istria, the wine region of 2017., dominates the top of Croatian winemaking in London. Istrian winemakers won 5 out of 10 Decanter Gold Awards for Croatia, leading with Malvasia Istriana in matured, aged, and more complex style. Istrian wines with 95 Points won the Gold Medal:

• Franković Corona Sur lie Malvazija 2016. is a complex and rich wine with leading aromas of apricots, peaches, honey, and white flowers, acacia. This big wine has a spicy, almost exotic character from aging in large wooden barrels. Creamy and rounded on the palate, wine of balance and has a long, enjoyable aftertaste.
• Cattunar, Collina Malvazija 2015 is an aged and matured Malvasia hand-picked with controlled yields. Concentrated flavors of pears and acacia, full-bodied wine but with almost no weight. A touch of citrus freshness accompanies the rounded structure of the wine, making it refreshing at the end, as the Decanter judges say.
• Cosetto, Prima Luce 2017 golden Malvasia in young and fresh style impressed the Decanter judges with pleasing lemon and lime flavors with a touch of ginger and spices. Described as sophisticated and a wine of harmony.

From the last year’s Platinum medal, the best in the country, for Benvenuti Teran 2013, to this year’s Gold medal for Fakin Teran 2017, this variety could easily be described as the most important red in the country.

Fakin, Teran 2017 was described as having a “Blueberry, mulberry, black cherry, violet, and sweet spice nose. The palate is dense, rich, and packed with fruit and integrated vanilla oak. Polished and well done with a long finish.“

This isn’t the only award for the Fakin Winery; they received Silver Award for Malvazija La Prima 2016 and 4 Bronze Awards for Istarska Malvazija 2017, Terna Il Primo 2015, Teran Rose 2017, and Muškat Žuti 2017. Amazing accomplishment!

The 5th Gold in Istria is for a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Anđelini Winery. Anđelini Domenico Cuvee 2015 is still a young wine, especially regarding its potential, but in this youthfulness already, won the Gold award as one of the best reds from Croatia. Aged for a year in barrique barrels, the character is spicy with black pepper and vanilla, underlined with expressive and powerful fruits.

First Golden Decanter World Wine Award to Koručula goes into the hands of young winemaker Jakša Krajančić and his Nerica Pošip 2016.

From their announcements online, we counted 10 Gold medals for Croatian wines. The first gold for the wineries on enchanting Korčula island goes to the young and talented Jakša Krajančić and his winery, dedicated to his grandma – Nerica.

Pošip PZ Nerica 2016. Is an expressive white wine, reminiscent of refreshing citrus fruits with white flowers explosion in its youthfulness. A balanced touch of almonds on the palate, with a hint of their pleasant and enjoying bitterness, reveals a complex white in the glass.

We have been following the work of Jakša and visited his newly equipped winery in Čara, Korčula. PZ Nerica now produces carefully crafted, pure, and expressive white wines from Pošip. Some of the media in Croatia have already named him one of Dalmatia’s most significant winemakers.

Jakša Krajančić makes several styles of Pošip, refreshing inox white, sur-lie version of Pošip harvested from the best positions in the Čara field and the sweet, late harvested Pošip. Pošip Mindel, sur-lie style matured in large oak barrels, is mostly bottled in large magnum bottles. Powerful 14% alcohol complements Mindel’s spicy, creamy, and rich structure and has been awarded by Bronze Medal.

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The PZ Nerica winery has the best view we found on Korčula. Overlooking the Čara fields and vineyards with the sea stretching behind, this is the place you would want to visit while on Korčula.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the island. We have PZ Nerica Pošip bottles for you!

Table 5. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2018

Decanter 2017.

For the first time in history, Croatia received more than 100 medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017. From being the surprise winner of 2016 with only one Platinum best in the wine category, it seems like high-quality wines from Croatia are no longer a surprise!

In Decanter 2017 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 3 Platinum awards for Antunović Graševina Prmeium 2013, Jakopić Graševina 2015, and Benvenuti Teran 2013.,
• 4 gold, 
• 35 silver, and 
• 60 bronze awards.

Platinum Medal for best red Croatian wine goes to Benvenuti Teran 2013. “Chocolate, red cherries, and ripe dark fruits on the nose. Rich, full-bodied and bursting with weighty fruit. Chocolatey texture, leaving a hint of spice on a long lingering finish” is how the wine was described by the judges of the DWWA 2017. This is not the only medal for the Benvenuti winery. The silver medal was awarded for their Caldierosso blend 2015, made out of Teran, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, and Merlot. The Bronze medal was awarded for young, crisp, and fresh Benvenuti Malvasia Istriana 2016.

The Benvenuti brothers are making serious, award-winning wines and are keen on exploring what other varieties can be successfully grown on Istrian terroir. They were the first that plant Italian Nebbiolo and the Spanish Tempranillo in 2010, and with the first vintage of Caldirooso 2015, they immediately received recognition on the international market.

Croatia proved to be the premium wine region for Graševina – the queen of the continental vineyards. It was the most successful wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017. with a total of 2 Platinum medal-winning wines!

The best Croatian white wine comes from Slavonia, the Danube wine region, and winemaker Jasna Antunović Turk – Premium Graševina 2013. The Decanter judges rated it as an outstanding wine: “Petrol, honey, and quince nose. Mosaic of luscious flavors zip across the palate with pronounced mango, papaya, and lime. Acidity adds structure to this beautifully complex wine. Lingering finish of subtle tobacco and honey”.

The best Croatian sweet wine is also made out of Graševina! Thus, showing the versatile character of this variety in making wines from sparkling to sweet. The best Croatian sweet wine is Jakopić Graševina 2015. Referred to as exotic in fruit and very seductive, the wine showed impressive length and striking complexity.

At the DWWA 2016, Croatia didn’t receive any gold medals, but we count 7 Gold medals for Croatian wines this year! With the two best in-country white and sweet wines made out of Graševina, white wines seem to be at the top of Croatian wine-making. With Graševina being Croatia’s most planted grape variety overall, the Malvasia Istriana is the second most planted. No surprise, these two varieties dominated the medals for Croatia!

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Fakin La Prima Malvazija 2015 and Mario Benko Malvazija 2016 are among the gold medal-winning wines. In Istria, we have one more gold medal for the sweet Franjković winery, Luna d’OroMoscato 2015, made entirely from Muscat  Momjanski.

Producer Orahovica, from Slavonia, shined with its Silvanac Zeleni Jezerac 2015.

Plavac Mali, one of the most recognizable red varieties in Croatia, missed the top of Croatian reds at the Decanter World Wine Awards, which was definitely led by Teran and Istria this year.

Among the 35 Silver medals, one went to the Korta Katarina winery for Reuben’s Private Reserve 2009, an aged and matured 100 % Plavac Mali. Congratulations to all of the Silver medal-winning wines!

Next medals for Plavac Mali are in the bronze category, Matuško Dingač Royal 2007., Badel 1862. 50 Degree Plavac Mali 2012. and Roso Winery Dingač 2013. 

With over 100 medals this year for Croatian wines, Croatia has risen significantly in quality and recognisability internationally. Moving fast to being the country you think of when searching for new, premium wines!

Table 6. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2017

Decanter 2016.

In Decanter 2016 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 1 Best in Show award for Veralda Winery Istrian 2015,
• 1 Platinum for Iločki podrumi Traminer selected berries harvest 2011.,
• 9 silver, and 
• 24 bronze awards.

Table 7. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2016

Decanter 2015.

In Decanter 2015 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 2 Regional Trophy awards for Kutjevo Traminer Ice wine 2012 and Vina Laguna Festigia Castello 2012., 
• 13 silver, and
• 25 bronze awards.

Table 8. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2015

Decanter 2014.

In Decanter 2014 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 3 Regional Trophy awards for Belje Graševina Goldber 2006, and Kutjevo Graševina Turković and Traminer Ice wine 2012,
• 1 golden award for Krauthaker Graševina 2011,
• 4 silver, and
• 20 bronze awards.

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This year’s Decanter saw Kutjevo winery achieve historic success, winning six awards, including two regional golds for their 2012 Graševina Turković and 2012 Traminac ice wine. This success follows their achievement at last year’s international Decanter Awards where they won six awards, including the International Trophy for their 2011 Traminac ice wine, which was selected as one of the top 32 wines worldwide.

However, Kutjevo winery was not the only Croatian winery to send its wines to London and achieve successful results. Every year, the Decanter World Wine Awards confirms its position as the largest wine competition in the world in terms of the number of samples and the interest of wine connoisseurs. This year, over 15,000 wine samples were submitted worldwide, and only 158 wines were awarded regional golds, of which three were from Croatia.

In addition to Kutjevo’s wines, Belje’s 2006 Goldberg Graševina and Krauthaker’s 2011 Graševina were also awarded golds. Four silver, 20 bronze, and 22 commendations were also awarded to Croatian wines.

The success of Croatian wines at Decanter is a testament to the country’s growing reputation as a producer of quality wines. As the competition continues to attract more entries and attention from wine enthusiasts worldwide, Croatia’s presence and success will surely grow in the future.

Table 9. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2014

Decanter 2013.

In Decanter 2013 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 1 Internation Trophy for Kutjevo winery Traminer Ice wine 2011 vintage, 
• 16 silver, and 
• 48 bronze awards.

Table 10. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2013

Decanter 2012.

In Decanter 2012 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 2 Regional Trophy awards for Zlatan Otok Pošip vintage 2010 and Misna Vina Traminer Ice wine 2010 vintage,
• 1 golden award for Kutjevo winery Graševina Ice wine 2009 vintage, 
• 10 silver, and 
• 26 bronze awards.

Table 11. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2012

Decanter 2011.

In Decanter 2011 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 1 Regional Trophy for Bodren Ice wine vintage 2009 made from 60% Pinot Grigio, 40% Pinot Blanc,
• 1 gold for Krauthaker Graševina selected dried berries harvest vintage 2009,
• 11 silver, and 
• 27 bronze awards.

Table 12. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2011

Decanter 2010.

In Decanter 2010 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 1 Regional Trophy award for Belje Merlot 2008 vintage,
• 12 silver, and 
• 14 bronze awards.

Table 13. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2010.

Decanter 2009.

In Decanter 2009 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 8 gold, 
• 5 silver, and 
• 11 bronze awards.

Table 14. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2009

Decanter 2008.

In Decanter 2008 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 2 gold for Bodren Chardonnay 2005 and Riesling 2006 Ice wine, 
• 3 silver, and 
• 4 bronze awards.

Table 15. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2008

Decanter 2007.

In Decanter 2007 wine competition, Croatian wines won:

• 1 silver award for Badel 1862 Graševina Križevci 2004 vintage.

Table 16. Croatian Decanter award-winning wines in 2007