ISTRIAN WINERIES
True relaxing oases
Istrian wineries are true relaxing oases that offer an escape from city stress and noise, making them ideal destinations for intimate gatherings and tastings.
If you’re planning to visit Istria this fall or you are already staying at our hotel, make sure to visit at least one winery. During tours of the vineyards and cellars, you’ll learn more about the wine production process and taste different labels. Many wineries are located on hills or slopes with beautiful views, so you can enjoy spectacular scenery along with a good glass of wine. Additionally, almost every winery pairs its wines with gourmet delicacies, rounding out the entire experience.
Winery Kabola, BUJE
Kabola Winery is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in Istria. Situated on a picturesque hill near the town of Momjan, surrounded by vineyards, this traditional Istrian stone estate offers a romantic ambiance and a top-notch wine and gastronomic experience for the palate. The wine story of the Markežić family and Kabola Winery began back in 1891 with the Momjan Muscat. Since then, the winery has developed its own distinctive style under the Kabola brand, which is actually the family’s nickname. They were the first in Croatia to start producing wine in amphoras and the first in Istria to switch to organic production.
Winery Matošević, KRUNČIĆI
The Matošević family cellar is located in Krunčići, a village between the Lim Channel and Sveti Lovreč, where Ivica Matošević, following his dream, started the winery in the mid-90s. Since he didn’t have his own vineyard, he initially purchased grapes from the best locations in Istria, gradually building his own brand. Everything took off when his Anima barrique chardonnay from the 1998 vintage was named the best white wine in Croatia, and the rest is history. Today, the Matošević family owns vineyards in two locations in Istria, and their wines have won numerous awards.
Address: Krunčići 2, 52448 Sv. Lovreč
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Winery Kozlović, BUJE
Kozlović Winery is situated in an impressive rectangular building with clean lines, rising amidst the vineyards on the site where the first hectare was planted in 1904, and the Kozlović family’s first house was built. The winery is a homage to that history and past generations, as well as a commitment to a future where wine becomes an experience. The terrace above the vineyard, with its glass railing, creates the impression of floating over the valley. At the winery, you can learn about the history of Istria, Istrian winemaking, and the region’s indigenous grape varieties.
Winery Benvenuti, Motovun
The story of Benvenuti Winery is a story of family and tradition. The winery is located in the peaceful Istrian village of Kaldir, overlooking Motovun, and the vineyards are planted with three indigenous varieties – Istrian Malvasia, Teran, and Muscat. On this foundation, the Benvenuti family produces their wines, in which the varietal character reflects the richness of the vineyards, situated in a series of unique micro-locations. A visit to Benvenuti Winery includes a guided tour of the cellar and a wine tasting paired with finger food made from local products, all while enjoying the enchanting landscape of Motovun.
Address: Kaldir 7, 52424 Motovun
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ROSSI winery & distillery, VIŽINADA
Rossi wines have a tradition of producing the highest quality indigenous Istrian wine varieties and spirits since 1885. In the 1980s, winemaking became the main commercial activity of the Rossi family. With the turn of the millennium and the opening of a new century, under the motto “quality over quantity,” the Rossis made strategic investments in innovative technologies and branding their products. Their goal is to create top-quality wines and spirits, positioning them at the pinnacle of the premium segment of both the domestic and international markets, while establishing the Rossi family brand as a symbol of excellence in wines and spirits.
Address: Bajkini 16, 52447, Vižinada
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Winery Clai, BUJE
Clai Winery is located in the interior of Istria, near Krasica, in the village of Brajki. Its proximity to the town of Buje and the Slovenian border makes it an easily accessible destination for any occasion. The vineyards cover 10 hectares, while the olive groves occupy 5 hectares of land. Situated at 200 meters above sea level, the area is bathed in sunshine, with a refreshing sea breeze from the nearby coast. The production is based on organic farming, and the grapes are vinified naturally in the cellar through spontaneous fermentation. You can visit for a tasting without an appointment and enjoy the daily selection of wines by the glass. There is also the option of the Clai Delight private tasting, which includes three to five glasses of wine from the daily selection paired with delicious Istrian snacks.
Address: Brajki 105, Krasica, 52460 Buje
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Belaj castle, CEROVLJE
Belaj Castle, the only estate in Croatia where winemaking and the castle have grown and developed together, is located in the beautiful landscape of Mount Učka. The estate consists of the castle, founded in 1575 by the noble Barbo family, two annexes built in the 19th century, and a magnificent vineyard. The long history of winemaking at Belaj has shaped its development and helped establish the estate as a place of special significance for the entire region. Today, the estate hosts two wineries – Dvorac Belaj and Podrum Belaj.
Belaj Castle is one of the few that meets all the criteria to be called a château, meaning the wine production comes exclusively from the historic vineyard surrounding the castle, with wine processing and aging also taking place on the estate. Wine tastings are tailored to your preferences, with options including a tasting of up to eight wines, a guided tour of the vineyard and/or castle, a professionally guided wine tasting with a sommelier, and a selection of fresh local snacks.
Address: Belaj 20a, Cerovlje
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Winery Roxanich, MOTOVUN
Roxanich is an artisanal winery producing rare, long-aged, premium natural wines from the ancient Venetian lands. From the very beginning, the focus has been on an uncompromising commitment to quality and creating authentic wines in harmony with nature. The wines are produced in small, exclusive quantities, with a selection of 20 labels ranging from light and refreshing white and rosé wines to long-aged, macerated white, amber, and red wines.
The tasting is paired with a guided tour of the five-story winery, led by a professional sommelier. The entire experience lasts about 90 minutes, during which you can learn about the Roxanich family heritage, winemaking, terminology, aging processes, and the philosophy behind honest and natural winemaking. After the tour, you will enjoy a tasting of five selected wine labels accompanied by finger food.
Address: Kanal 30, 52424 Motovun
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Meneghetti Winery, BALE
For all wine-lovers Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery offers individual and group wine tasting programs in our winery. If any of our excellent wines particularly appeal to you, you can purchase Meneghetti or Kuća Glavić wines as individual bottles or packaged sets in handmade wooden boxes, in our tasting room. For those with a demanding taste, our tasting room also offers limited edition Meneghetti wines of exquisite quality.
Address: Stancija Meneghetti 1, 52211, Bale
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Cuj winery, UMAG
The CUJ Winery, owned by the Kraljević family, is located in Farnažine near Umag. The latest technology and equipment enable winemaker and owner Danijel Kraljević to transform his ideas and knowledge about wine into modern products recognized by wine enthusiasts, while still preserving the traditional, authentic flavors of indigenous varieties such as Malvasia, Muscat, and Teran. A professionally guided tour of the cellar will reveal the secrets of winemaking, allowing you to enjoy a delightful wine tasting experience, complemented by personalized Istrian delicacies.
Address: Farnažine 6a, 52470 Umag
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Tomaz winery, MOTOVUN
The new Tomaz winery is now open, spanning over 1,650 square meters. Utilizing advanced technologies, the winery crafts exceptional wines. Visitors can indulge in a spacious tasting room that offers panoramic views of the family vineyards and the town of Motovun, providing them with the opportunity to relish an unforgettable wine experience.
Address: Kanal 36, 52424 Motovun
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Cattunar winery, Brtonigla
The Cattunar family has been rooted for generations in the terroir of western Istria, with a long tradition of viticulture and winemaking. Over time, their estate expanded to the current 56 hectares of vineyards. Most of the vineyard area is planted with indigenous Istrian grape varieties: Malvasia, Teran, Momjan Muscat, and Muscat Rosé, as well as other international varieties. The winery is located in Nova Vas near Brtonigla, in a wine cellar surrounded by vineyards. There are several tasting programs available, each featuring a brief presentation of the winery, cellar, capacity, wine styles, and varieties that the Cattunars produce, along with, of course, a wine tasting paired with traditional food selections.
Address: Nova Vas 94, 52474 Brtonigla
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Winery Damijanić, POREČ
Our winery invites all wine lovers, as well as those who are just beginning to become one, to the tasting of 12 wines – Malvasia, Malvasia Akacija, Malvasia Classic, Malvasia Sincerus, Virtu, Chardonnay, Clemente Blanc, Rose Penelope, Borgonja, Duro Istriano, Clemente and Yellow Muscat.
During the tasting you will learn about the methodology of production of each wine and tradition of the Damjanić family, as well as the vision, mission and goals that form our foundations. The tastings are guided by an expert who will introduce you to all the details of our winery.
Wine tasting is a noble activity enjoyed by top wine connoisseurs as well as those who just want to enjoy a new wine.
Address: Fuškulin 99, 52440 Poreč
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Winery Veralda, Brtonigla
The Veralda Winery is located in the most renowned vineyard area of northern Istria, on the famous Buje hills between Buje and Brtonigla. It proudly holds the title of the best red wine in the world, being the only Croatian wine to receive the prestigious “Platinum Best in Show” award in 2016 in London. This accolade has elevated the Teran grape variety, as well as the Istrian region, to the forefront of the global wine scene. Veralda’s role as an innovator in the development of indigenous varieties is further demonstrated by the creation of the first Teran Rosé, which soon set the standard for Istrian Rosé production, and later for sparkling wines, giving Teran a new level of elegance and dimension in the world of enogastronomy.
Address: Kršin 4, 52474 Brtonigla
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Fakin winery, MOTOVUN
The Fakin Winery, spanning 30 hectares, is situated at the foot of Motovun and is surrounded by vineyards. The white soil, microclimate, and hilly terrain provide their grapes with a distinctive minerality, freshness, and expressiveness, characteristic of varieties such as Istrian Malvasia, Teran, and Muscat. Many consider the young winemaker Marko Fakin to be the “next big thing” on the Croatian and international wine scene. The Decanter gold medal for Malvasia and Teran is the latest in a series of growing international accolades for this winery. The quality of Fakin wines is a blend of a long family tradition, extensive knowledge, and a unique terroir, and the winery is always open for tastings and new friendships.
Address: Kršin 4, 52474 Brtonigla
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Medea Winery, VODNJAN
Medea is a young winery located in Vodnjan near Pula. Their fresh wines are inspired by the Istrian people, the climate, the blend of continental and Adriatic influences, and the rich gastronomic and cultural tradition. The grapes for Medea Winery come from nearby vineyards around Medulin and Pula, tended by top experts who are well-versed in Istrian soil and vines. You can taste and purchase their wines in a modern tasting room that combines tradition with a contemporary setting. The staff will gladly assist you in discovering the wine that is perfect for you.
Address: Željeznička 15, 52215 Vodnjan
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Photos: wineries. Text: after5.hr, Sara Markov. Translation: Hotel Nautica.
