Travel Guide to Istria Wine Region

The first grapes were brought to the Istria wine region of Croatia by the Greeks during the 6^th century BC, making it one of the oldest winemaking regions in Europe. The Istria wine region of Croatia originally belonged to Austria, Italy, and Yugoslavia and their influences are still evident in the wine that is produced here. The Istria wine region is still mostly undiscovered by the international market and it is slowly gaining acclaim for its rich red wines. The terroir of the Istria wine region is so perfect for the production of red wine that it is considered very similar to the famous Bordeaux wine region.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Istria Wine Region to enjoy if you visit the region.

Continue reading our travel guide to the Istria wine region to discover more about:

The varied and diverse wines of the Istria Wine Region

Wineries to visit in the Istria Wine Region

Where to go and what to see in the Istria Wine Region

What to eat in the Istria Wine Region

The Varied and Diverse Wines of Istria Wine Region 

Istria wine region has a rich history of viticulture and is one of the oldest wine regions in Europe. The topography of the region is hilly with an extremely long coastline. This means that there is a range of microclimates across the Istria wine region, allowing for the growth of a range of grape varietals and the production of a diverse catalogue of wines. Currently, there is 4000 ha under the vine in the Istria wine region. At the end of the 19th century, the area under the vine was 44 000 ha but this decreased dramatically after phylloxera struck the region.

The climate of the Istria wine region is the Mediterranean with strong influences from the nearby Alps. The mountains of the Alps bring cold air to the region in the evenings which prolongs the grape ripening season and retains the acidity levels of the grapes. During the day, the Itria wine region is exposed to sea breezes from the Adriatic Sea which keep the vineyards dry, cool and free of diseases. The rainfall in the region reaches up to 800mm annually with rains falling mostly during the winter, spring, and autumn months. The warm and dry summers pose a challenge for winemakers as they often bring with them drought and fungal diseases.

The soils of the Istria wine region are divided into Red Istria, Grey Istria, and White Istria soils. Red Istria in the Istria wine region is named for its terracotta colour. The colour of the soil is a result of the high level of iron that it contains. This soil is found closer to the ocean and is used mainly for the growth of red grape varietals. In the few areas where white varietals are grown in Red Istria, the wines produced are full-bodied and well-structured. Grey Istria is found mostly in the central area of the Istria wine region and contains flysch soil which is best suited for the growth of white grape varietals. The wines produced from this soil have good levels of acidity, and pronounced aromatics and are medium-bodied. White Istria is similar to Grey Istria but rockier and with a higher content of limestone. This soil is found predominantly inland at higher altitudes. The wines produced from varietals grown in White Istria are high in acidity and extremely aromatic and elegant.

The Rich and Aromatic Wines of Istria Wine Region

The wines of Croatia do not have an official DO or AOC system which can make it challenging to identify the origin and grade of wine. Croatia divides its wines into three categories – Vrhunsko Vino premium quality wine, Kvalitetno Vino quality wine and Stolno Vino table wine.

Istria wine region is best known for its native Malvazija Istarska grapes. These grapes are grown in the terracotta-rich red soils of the Istria wine region and are used to produce rich red wines combined with grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and the native varietals of Refosk and Teran.

Istria Wine Region Map

You can also check out our interactive map of the Istria Wine Region to discover wineries with open cellar doors.

Wineries to Visit in Istria Wine Region

Kozlovic Winery

The Kozlovic Winery was founded out of the passion of the Kozlovic family and their commitment to producing high-quality Croatian wines in the Istria wine region. The winery itself is a modern wine-making complex built in 2012 that offers a range of different tasting and pairing experiences which include tours of the cellar and the vineyards.

Stancija Collis

The story of the Stanjica Collis winery and estate dates back to 1988 and is a family-run business in the heart of the Istria wine region. The team at Stanjica Collis welcomes visitors to enjoy walks through the vineyards and olive groves and enjoy the estate wines paired with local produce. For sports lovers, the estate offers football, tennis, handball, and volleyball for a beautiful day of activity and wine.

Cattunar

The Cattunar winery, in the Istria wine region, prides itself on having all four of the Istrian soils on its estate, allowing the estate winemakers to produce a wide range of excellent local wines. Cattunar is a family-run winery and estate with a long history of wine growing and production. The estate welcomes guests for a range of wine-tasting experiences, bike riding and hiking. There is also accommodation on the estate for those looking to extend their stay in the beautiful wine farm setting.

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Where to go and what to see in Istria Wine Region

Medieval Rovinj - The Medieval settlement of Rovinj

The history of the town of Rovinj dates back to the Illyrian tribes before they were captured by the Romans. Initially, the town was built on an island close to the Istrian coast. The island was connected to the mainland in 1763. During this time, Rovinj was one of the most important towns in Istria and was fortified by two rows of walls and three town gates. Today, Rovinj is the perfect place to visit to step back into history and experience the perfect meeting of old and new. When visiting Rovinj, the attractions that should be seen are the Old Town, the Gate of St. Benedict, the Portica, the Gate of the Holy Cross, the Church of St. Euphemia, and the Venetian town clock.

Pula - Visit the largest city in Istria Wine Region

The city of Pula is the largest city in the Istria wine region and is undoubtedly a tourist hub of the region. This vibrant city is known for its world-class festivals, its fresh and delicious cuisine, and for having the most complete Roman colosseum in the world. The Roman amphitheatre in Pula is the only one of its kind with a complete circle wall. It was built to hold 20 000 people and is today still used as an outside cinema and events venue. As the Istria wine region was part of Italy until 1947, Italian influence is still evident in the cuisine of the region. When dining at one of the local restaurants it is easy to have the feeling that you are in a romantic corner of Italy! During the summer months, Pula is popular for its range of exciting festivals and events that attract attendees from across the globe. While enjoying Pula be sure to sample the local Istrian Malvasia which is considered one of the best red wines in the world.

Explore the seaside resort of Opatija

The town of Opatija has located 13km to the west of Rijeka and is popular as one of the chicest seaside resorts in Croatia. The town stretches along the coast alongside forests, hills, and the glistening Adriatic ocean. The entire waterfront of Opatija is connected by a bustling promenade. Although there aren’t any actual beaches to access in Opatija, there are still excellent swimming spots to be found in the secluded bays along the coast. Opatija is characterized by the many beautiful villas that are found across the town. The town is frequented by a more mature crowd of visitors who are attracted to the many luxurious spa hotels, their spectacular location, and the wonderful year-round climate. The increase in visitor numbers to Opatija in recent times has resulted in an increase in the number of excellent restaurants and cafes serving the freshest seafood and the best in Croatian cuisine. 

The breathtaking natural environment of Istria Wine Region

The Istria wine region is the natural heaven where continental Croatia and the Adriatic Ocean meet in style. The peninsula stretches across 3600 square kilometres and is perfectly heart-shaped. The Istria wine region offers varying landscapes from endless expanses of the sea to rolling hills and fertile plains. The great Istrian outdoors is a marvel of nature and the perfect place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors in the Istria wine region.

Beach Girandella in Rabac    

Girandella Beach is a picture-perfect pebbled beach in Rabac. This beach is located along the southeastern coast of the Istria wine region near the tourist resort of Rabac. The beach was awarded a blue flag because of its beauty, quality and the excellent purity of the seawater. There are a number of facilities and activities available at Girandella Beach which makes it perfect for visitors of all ages and provides entertainment to keep one occupied all day. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rental which are perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the wonderful views of the ocean. For those looking for more action, there is a range of activities to participate in including riding banana boats, water tubing, water skiing, volleyball and tennis. 

Brijuni National Park - Untouched natural island beauty

The Brijuni National Park is located on the Brijuni Islands which lie along the west coast of the Istria wine region. The area is home to many different groups of islands, of which the largest is the 14 belonging to the Brijuni Islands. The islands are known not only for their natural beauty but also for their cultural and historical heritage. The numerous archaeological sites on the islands date back to the Bronze Age. The main attraction of the Brijuni National Park and its islands is the rich fauna and flora. The islands boast over 400 species of plants that provide hours of viewing. When visiting the national park, the sites worth seeing are the safari park, the olive tree on Brijuni Island, the Byzantine castrum, the dinosaur footprints, Verige Bay, St. Mary’s Basillica and the Mediterranean garden.

Baredine Cave - Istria’s geomorphological monument of nature

The Baredine cave is a karst phenomenon and a monument of nature. Opened in 1995, it is the first speleological site in the Istria wine region that has been adapted specifically for tourism. The cave itself is located in the north of Istria close to Nova Vas and only 5km from the coast. Surrounding the cave are various prehistoric archaeological sites, historic forts, medieval monasteries, and well-preserved landscapes. Inside the caves, one can experience an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, underground sculptures, and flowing rivers.

Discover top Istria Wine Tour Guides and explore the finest Guided Wine Tours in Istria.

What to eat in Istria Wine Region

In the Istria wine region, gastronomy is a way of life. The food of the Istria wine region finds its history in the local peasant traditions with the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients. In recent times the innovative and inventive chefs of the Istria wine region have combined the cooking traditions of the area with new and exciting menu items and cooking styles, making this small peninsula a culinary destination to be reckoned with.

Manestra - Istrian vegetable soup

Manestra is the Istrian take on a traditional Italian minestrone soup in the Istria wine region. This dish is a hearty and thick soup that is made with dried meat, spring corn and beans. Across the Istria wine region, numerous variations of the dish can be found. When Manestra is served as a first course, the dried meat is usually left out. When the meat is included, it is normally served as a main course. Vegetables that are often added in Manestra are celery, carrots, turnips, tomatoes and onions. These ingredients are flavoured with black pepper, parsley, bay leaves and olive oil. The best way to enjoy a steaming bowl of Manestra is with pieces of crusty bread and a rich local red wine.

Fuzi s tartufim - One of the most popular specialties of Istria

Fuzi s tartufim is a dish made with fuzi paste and the world-famous Istrian truffles in the Istria wine region. This dish is one of the most popular local meals in Istria. Despite this, care needs to be taken when ordering this dish as real truffles are often replated with truffle oil or tartufata. The ingredients of Fuzi s tartufim are simply white Istrian truffles, fuzi pasta and butter. The paste is cooked in salted water until it is al dente, after which it is drained and mixed with butter, heavy cream and the truffles. Some chefs in Istria add pieces of prosciutto to the dish. Fuzi s tartufim is best enjoyed when served with grated cheese and an extra helping of freshly shaved truffles.

Zgvacet od kokosi - Rustic croatian chicken

Zgvacet od kokosi is a local Istrian dish that comes from the Italian dish guazetto in the Istria wine region. Guazetto refers to a specific way of cooking which involves simmering ingredients in a little bit of liquid. Istrian Zgvacet od kokosi is most commonly prepared using chicken drumsticks and thighs which are pan-seared and then simmered in tomatoes and onions. The chicken is then flavoured with rosemary or marjoram. The best way to enjoy the dish is to have it served with Istrian fuzi pasta, polenta or potato dumplings. Authentic Zgvacet od kokosi in the Istria wine region is always made with chicken but variations made with lamb and veal can also be found.

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