Wineries in Istria are awesome. If I remember them correctly. You know that a visit to the winery typically includes lots of wine-tasting. Wine-tasting could potentially affect my, otherwise good, judgement (you have been warned!). However from what I believe I have experienced on my visits to these wineries in Istria, I put them at the top of my list worth a visit.

You got to love Istria! Not only beautiful beaches and sea & sun, it has developed into a prime wine growing region. These are my suggestions where to go to wine tasting and of course – purchase. A week or two in our villas will pass much better when you stock some of the best regional wines!

Best wineries in Istria

Kozlovic Winery

I don’t even know where to start when it comes to Kozlovic winery. Beautiful architecture, friendly staff (thanks, Marko!), fixed working hours (not always the case, thus we’ve learnt to appreciate this fact), and fabulous wines. Oh, I’ve almost forgot to mention the location! Kozlovic Winery is located close to Momjan, well off the beaten path, surrounded by olive groves, and beautiful landscapes. Combine a visit to the winery with a lunch at Stari podrum restaurant, and you’ll set yourself for a great day.

• Contacts: Vale 78, Momjan; t: +385 52 779 177; e-mail: visit@kozlovic.hr;
• Working hours: Monday-Saturday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
• Wines we like: Santa Lucia, Muscat Rose

Kabola Winery

This is another gorgeous winery to visit in the vicinity of Momjan. The property is nice, a traditional stone building featuring wine cellar, a retail area, tasting room, and even a small museum dedicated to wine and wine making process. Surrounded by gorgeous landscapes, it makes for an excellent vantage point. On a clear day you can see, not only the Adriatic sea, but also the Alps. The particularity of Kabola Winery is that they use “amphorae” for fermenting the wine. These are actually the large terra cota pots buried underground. Very interesting winery to visit!

• Contacts: Kanedolo 90, Momjan; t: +385 99 7207 106; e: info@kabola.hr;
• Working hours:  Monday-Saturday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
• Wines we like: Malvasia Amphora, Sparkling wine Re

Cuj Winery

Cuj is one of our favorite winemakers in Istria. He is passionate, hard-working and wine-loving man. Visit to his winery is a great experience, and he and his family will make you feel very welcome and at ease while sharing with you their family’s history of wine-making and viticulture. Cuj also produces four extra virgin olive oils. His property is nice, and consists of an oil mill, wine cellar, and a tasting room with an open fireplace.

• Contacts: Farnažine bb, Umag; t: +385 52 732 385; +385 98 219 277; e: info@cuj.hr;
• Working hours:  9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily
• Wines we like: Malvasia Baština, Cuj Rosé

Roxanich

Roxanich is a living proof that the wine can be made in many ways. This guy doesn’t buy a story of young, fresh, and light whites. Instead, his wines are orange, an aged white wines full of character. (Oh, I really love his Ines u bijelom wine). The winery is located in a small village, only 10 minutes drive from Porec (Yay, one of the best and located so close to home!). Since Roxanich takes a different approach, ages his wines, and leaves a must in conntact with skin for up to 180 days, you can have an excellent vertical tasting of the same wine. This is a great way to witness first hand how the wine actually develops through different stages.

• Contacts: Kosinožići 26, Nova Vas; t: +385 91 6170 700; e: info@roxanich.hr;
• Working hours:  by appointment
• Wines we like: Ines u bijelom, SuperIstrian

We also like

Medea – Agroprodukt Vodnjan

Medea stands as the name of our six wines made from the following grape varieties: Malvazija (Malvasia), Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Teran,   and one sparkling wine made of grape variety Malvazija istarska.

It is about fresh wines intended for intimate moments, for lunch, dinner or relaxed socializing on the one hand, and on the other, equally intended for professionals who will serve them at wine bars and restaurants.  These are quality wines, able to satisfy the demanding wine lovers, as well as those who are just about to enter this world.

Medea stands for a blend of indigenous Istrian and international varieties, because the Istrian soil has always, like the Istrian man, looked outside the way it looks within itself – genuinely and proudly.

• Željeznička 15 – HR-52215 Vodnjan
• T: +385 52 512 020
• E: info@medea.hr

Radovani 14, 52463 Višnjan,