Top 10 Wineries In Croatia Uplands Region
Charming towns, picturesque surroundings, and beautiful rolling hills await you in the Croatian Uplands wine region. This region includes Zagorje, Međimurje, Plešivica, Moslavina, and Prigorje sub-regions. The most renowned native variety produced in this region is Škrlet from the Moslavina sub-region. Some of the most unique vineyards are placed in this region. Winemakers proved themselves by producing top-quality wines from international varieties, truly excellent sparkling wines, Rieslings, Sauvignons, Chardonnays, and potentially great Pinot Noirs. Every season is perfect for exploring the region mentioned, indulging in gourmet food and wine, and enjoying hedonistic weekends. Here’s a list of the ten must-visit wineries in the Croatian Uplands region!
Korak Winery
Korak Winery has taken a bold new approach to natural winemaking for the past five or six years. They’re committed to producing the best quality wine while minimizing environmental impact. One of their most prestigious editions is made without the addition of sulfur!
That’s pretty impressive, as sulfur is a common additive to preserve wine and prevent spoilage. It shows how dedicated Korak’s winery is to creating a pure, unadulterated product.
And it’s not just a passing trend – the winery is working towards becoming ecologically certified for all its wines. So, when you sip on a glass of Korak wine, you can be sure that you’re enjoying a product that’s not only delicious but also sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Recommended wines:
Tomac Winery
The Tomac family is a Croatian champion of the biodynamic approach to winemaking. They are uncompromising advocates of natural wines and have successfully combined biodynamic methods with elegance and technical perfection.
The Tomac family winery is likely the most ambitious and modern Croatian wine project. Leading regional winemakers, from Joško Gravner to Marjan Simčič, highlight Tomac as an example of the correct approach to viticulture and winemaking. In addition, Tomac was among the first (if not the first!) in the world to produce commercially sparkling wine from amphora. Their sparkling wines are the gold quality standard in the Croatian and regional wine scenes.
Recommended wines:
- Rose Brut,
- Diplomat Brut,
- Amfora Brut,
- Riesling Amfora,
- Sauvignon Amfora,
- Traminac Amfora,
- Marany White,
- Marany Red.
Jagunić Winery
Suppose you’re a wine enthusiast and love discovering unique, flavorful wines. In that case, you’ll want to visit Jagunić’s winery, a winery with a real kick for creating macerated and sparkling wines that are truly special. One of his most popular creations is the Three Stars sparkling wine, which gets its name from the three vineyards where the grapes are grown. The grapes, including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Plavec Žuti, combine to create a unique taste you won’t find anywhere else.
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Ivančić Griffin Winery
A family-run winery in the Plešivica region known for producing top-quality wines showcasing the area’s unique terroir. Krešimir Ivančić is a talented winemaker who’s one of the first in Croatia to use a new technology for producing wine and sparkling wines with cold maceration.
This technique brings out strong floral and fruity flavors in the wine, creating a truly unique and delightful taste. Winemaking runs in Krešimir’s family, with a long wine production tradition combined with a passion for the craft results in wines that truly express the region’s unique terroir.
Recommended wines:
Dvanajščak Kozol Winery
This family-owned winery from the Međimurje sub-region currently produces some of Croatia’s most impressive Sauvignons and Pušipel wines. The young winemaker, Viktor Dvanajščak, and his sister, Tea, who manages the winery, are passionate advocates of natural wine and plan to convert all their family vineyards to organic farming.
Recommended wines:
- Sauvignon Natura,
- Pušipel Prestige,
- Pušipel Classic,
- Pinot Blanc.
Štampar Winery
David Štampar is a winemaker who has won several awards from Decanter, including a gold medal for his sparkling wine Urban White. He is a man who is very environmentally aware and will eventually transition to organic farming. The Štampar winery produces fresh white wines that perfectly reflect Međimurje terroir.
Recommended wines:
- Urban White,
- Pušipel Classic,
- Sauvignon.
Bolfan Winery
Did you know that Zagorje is one of the biggest wine sub-regions in continental Croatia? Don’t miss out on visiting the Bolfan Winery in the village of Hrašćina, where you can enjoy the surroundings, panoramic view, excellent local food, and some of their organic wines that have won numerous relevant world awards.
Tomislav Bolfan is the pioneer of natural winemaking in Zagorje, and all of Bolfan’s wines are organically certified.
Recommended wines:
Bodren Winery
Bodren Winery is a sweet wine paradise created by Boris Drenški, who has won numerous awards, including several Decanter golden and platinum awards.
Bodren’s sweet wines are some of the best dessert wines ever produced in Croatia and will satisfy even the most discerning wine lovers. You’ll be able to enjoy a glass of their exceptional wines while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Recommended wines:
- Chardonnay Ice wine,
- Riesling Ice wine.
- Traminer Ice wine.
Puhelek Purek Winery
Puhelek Purek is a charming winery run by a family in the picturesque Sveti Ivan Zelina wine sub-region near Zagreb. The winery owes its success to Ivana and Nataša Puhelek, two sisters from the younger generation who work with their parents. They specialize in producing high-quality wines, and their Sauvignon Blanc has won the prestigious Decanter award with an impressive score of 95 points.
Besides their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, the winery has launched a new sparkling wine made from 100% Kraljevina, a native grape variety. This sparkling wine is as exciting as their famous Sauvignon.
Recommended wines:
Lagena Winery
Lagena Winery is a family-owned winery involved in winemaking for over five generations. Their vineyards are located on the eastern slopes of the Moslavina sub-region.
The name “lagena” comes from the Latin word for a wine jug with a narrow neck and a handle on the side. Lagena was used for serving and transporting wine in ancient Greece and Rome. The lagena bottle’s shape is similar to that of a decanter, which is believed to be the precursor to the modern-day decanter.
The Iconic label signifies the best in the Lagena cellar. Iconic wines are meticulously crafted using micro vinification techniques to preserve their best characteristics and deepen the wines during aging.
Only the best grapes at ideal ripeness from the Ilovčak and Fofunka positions are chosen for the Iconic wine labels.
Recommended wines:
If you’re ready to discover more Croatian wines, check out our selection, which features some of the finest wines from Croatia’s top winemakers.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rich and diverse world of wines and enjoy discovering new favorites!
