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 Deklić.
The Deklić 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: Deklić won Best Aged Malvazija Istarska at the 2024 Vinistra wine event. In 1920, Marko Deklić founded the estate with just one hectare; today the winery is run
