Try These Top 10 Croatian Organic Wines! Why Settle For Ordinary?
You’ve probably stumbled upon those fancy-sounding articles with titles like “The top organic wine brands” or “7 reasons why you need to be drinking natural wines.” Well, this is one of those, only with the top 10 Croatian organic wines in it!
Organic wine
Organic wine, made from grapes grown without artificial pretty much anything, has gained popularity among wine lovers seeking healthier and environmentally-friendly wine options.
Although many wine lovers ask for a “sulphur-free” or certified organic wine, some of the most renowned organic winemakers do not seek certification, seeing it as a marketing tool rather than a way of life. For these winemakers, organic winemaking is not just about proper labeling but a commitment to preserving biodiversity and creating unique, top-quality wines.
While the demand for certified organic wines is rising, the limited availability of suitable land for organic farming still needs to be improved. Additionally, the concept of “terroir,” often used as a selling point for wines, holds real value but is sometimes misused.
As the popularity of organic and terroir organic wines continues to grow, consumers are encouraged to recognize their worth and unique taste, and that’s precisely why we carefully selected the top 10 Croatian organic wines for you!
Tomac Marany Red
Tomac Winery family’s century-old wine production legacy has reached new heights with their latest foray into fully biodynamic winemaking and amphora wine production. The family ordered amphorae from Georgia and buried them in the ground. Three years later, in 2009, the first bottles of their unique amphora wine were filled.
The family’s commitment to preserving traditional winemaking methods while simultaneously exploring new and sustainable techniques has cemented its position as one of the most innovative and respected wine producers in the Plešivica wine-growing region.
Tasting notes
This 100% Pinot Noir wine is made using biodynamic cultivation methods and produced in Georgian amphorae, just like its white counterpart. The label, Marany, means “the Garden of Amphoras” in Georgian.
After a meticulous maceration process in these traditional vessels, the wine is aged in large wooden barrels to preserve its unique fruitiness.
The result is a vinous and deep wine with layers of complexity that reveal a new excitement with each velvety sip—a true embodiment of elegance and a perfect choice for any discerning Croatian organic wine enthusiast.
Tomac Amfora Riesling
The exceptional Riesling has again made it to our list of favorites for a good reason! We cannot help but mention the remarkable wine and will continue to do so in the future. Its excellence is genuinely noteworthy and deserving of recognition.
Tasting notes
Tomac Winery Riesling has achieved the elusive purity and precision that has long been sought in the amphora winemaking process. This stunning wine reveals a delightful blend of pine resin, stone fruits, and saltiness, all expertly held together by the wine’s unmistakable Riesling backbone.
The flavors evolve and transform with each sip, creating a genuinely dynamic drinking experience. This full-bodied wine has achieved a profound balance, with smooth tannins contributing to its impeccable texture. Tomac winery Riesling is a true testament to the artistry and dedication of its winemakers.
Kosovec Škrlet
Ivan Kosovec, a gifted natural winemaker and owner of Kosovec Winery, is dedicated to revitalizing the indigenous Škrlet variety from the Moslavina region. This grape can almost exclusively be found in this hilly region and is unknown beyond its borders.
Kosovec’s passion for hands-off winemaking led him to transform this ordinary and nearly forgotten variety into something extraordinary, bringing back more vines and enhancing the taste and structure of the past.
Tasting notes
The wine is distinguished by its clear pale gold hue and exhibits a clean, fresh nose with fruity notes of apple and quince, complemented by spicy undertones. The winemakers’ natural approach to production in the vineyard and cellar results in a distinct and authentic varietal aroma typical of Škrlet.
The wine is extremely dry with a medium-full body and soft acidity. A fragrant sensation with a subtle mineral aspect complements the aroma. Although it has a solid structure, the wine is highly drinkable due to its refreshing saltiness and juiciness.
Kabola Malvasia Unica
Kabola winery in the northwestern Istrian peninsula has become a destination for wine enthusiasts seeking a unique experience. The winery, perched 275m above sea level, offers stunning views of the Alps and the Dolomites, the lush greenery of pristine nature, and a beautiful sea panorama.
According to them, crafting exceptional wine requires the right conditions. The wine is carefully crafted in the cellar to achieve its desired features, using techniques such as shorter or more extended maceration in oak barrels and amphorae.
“Wine demands the freshness of the underground – it desires peace,” they explain.
Kabola’s wines gain special notes through this process, and the wine produced in amphorae is the crown jewel of their work.
The winery has made “organic” synonymous with its commitment to exploring and collaborating in an environmentally-friendly way. Their main goal is to work in harmony with the environment where the grapevines grow, advocating for a healthy and responsible approach to viticulture and cellar methods.
With careful control of every production process from vineyard to bottle, their top priority is quality. With their entire winemaking (and extra virgin olive oil) production switching to organic in 200, expert evaluations reaffirm the winery’s success annually.
Tasting notes
This macerated wine is made from the Istrian native Malvasia Istriana grape, a dry white wine with a straw yellow color and a golden reflection.
The wine’s intense flavor is derived from the notes of ripe pear, dried grass, dried almond, and dried fig aromas, resulting in a beautiful and harmonious bouquet. The aftertaste is equally delightful, with notes of butter and bitter almond leaving a lasting impression.
Despite its full-bodied nature, Malvasia Unica maintains a refreshing quality, making it the perfect choice for those who desire a flavorful and mineral-rich wine. Its mild tannins add depth to the flavor profile, making it a well-balanced and refined option for wine lovers who taste Croatian organic wines.
Krauthaker Kuvlakhe Graševina
Krauthaker Winery, located on the southern slopes of the Krndija and Papuk mountains in Slavonia and the Danube wine region, has emerged as a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts eager to explore the rich history of the renowned Kutjevo wine-growing area. The winery’s exceptional wine quality and diverse range of grape varieties used in their winemaking have consistently earned them international recognition, as evidenced by their numerous gold medals at various wine fairs and exhibitions.
Krauthaker winery stands out due to its resolute dedication to the native grape variety – Graševina. In addition, the winery’s meticulous focus on crafting predicate wines, such as late and selected harvest wines, as well as dried berries wines, is elevating its position as one of the top wineries in the area.
Tasting notes
After undergoing a 60-day skin contact process, this wine displays a hazy tangerine hue. Its aroma resembles red wine, with hints of leather, sun-dried apricot, baked apple, seaweed, and citrus. The nose also carries a subtle aroma Bourbon-esque aroma.
The wine’s flavor bursts with a zesty orange note, balanced by a refreshing acidity that adds liveliness and an invigorating edge. This wine is exceptionally savory, leaving a final impression of floral and musky notes on the finish.
Testament Pošip
The vineyards of Testament winery are situated in the wine-growing region of northern Dalmatia, near the medieval town of Šibenik. Due to the unique climate and soil in the Šibenik area, grapes have always faced difficulties growing and thriving.
This age-old struggle for survival is evident in the intense colors, flavors, and aromas of Testament wines. Their exceptional wines are made from the indigenous Pošip and Babić grape varieties. Babić grapes are almost exclusively planted in this part of the Dalmatian coast where the Testament vineyards are situated. Testament wines are produced using organic methods, taking advantage of the region’s unique microclimate and soil, resulting in a complex and rich taste.
Tasting notes
The Pošip Testament wine has a radiant straw-gold hue that shimmers in the light and displays a dense, lasting consistency that clings to the glass. Its aroma is a delightful blend of apple, pear, chamomile flower, and aromatic herbs native to the Dalmatian karst region.
Its flavor profile is intricate and indulgent, culminating in a satisfyingly fresh and full-bodied finish. This wine complements fish, shellfish, and white meat dishes exceptionally well, thanks to its moderate acidity.
Bunčić Voščice White
Toni Bunčić, authentic “garagiste” and the owner of Bunčić Winery on Vis island, has inherited exceptional vineyards in Voščice and Smokovo and is also committed to creating natural cosmetics.
With a keen sensitivity for crafting the best products from nature, he can be likened to an alchemist. Although he may never produce (nor wants!) wines in terms of quantity, he has already earned an excellent reputation among wine industry insiders for his unique “vins de garage.”
Tasting notes
This drink’s combination of Mediterranean herbs, saltiness, and iodine is deeply intoxicating and deceptively easy to consume. As you savor its ever-evolving complexity, you may find that the wine glass feels to limiting to contain all the flavors and aromas. The borderline bitter finish is complemented by hints of sage and spices, which ultimately leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Bolfan Primus Cabernet Sauvignon
Tomislav Bolfan from Bolfan Winery firmly believes that the pinnacle of wine production lies in entirely natural wines, and to achieve that, his winery implements a 100% natural winemaking method. The result are wines created for discerning palates of wine lovers who seek an elevated experience.
Tasting notes
With its deep, dark red hue, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers a complex and enticing aromatic profile that sets it apart. This wine has a distinctive character and is fermented on its own yeasts without any filtration.
Its dense and opulent bouquet is dominated by pronounced red cherry, and blackberry aromas, balanced by a subtle hint of refreshing mint leaves on the nose.
Despite its corpulent body, the wine maintains a well-balanced and elegant profile, featuring a soft tannin structure that makes it a pleasure to drink.
Križ Plavac Mali
Križ Winery, owned by Denis Bogoević Marušić, applies biodynamic principles in their vineyards, and they were fortunate to receive helpful advice from biodynamic pioneer Alan Podolinski. The winery focuses on macerated wines, which they believe to be authentic and representative of a grape variety’s true flavor, which motivated them to bring back Grk to Pelješac.
Križ Winery has practiced organic viticulture since 2008. The vineyards’ extreme conditions include rocky terrain and slopes of up to 45 degrees, refined by hand to create terraces with dry-stone walls. Their cultivation of vineyards and crops is 100% natural, traditional, and ecological.
Tasting notes
Križ is a certified organic red wine made with biodynamic practices, showcasing the unique Plavac Mali flavors of dark fruits, pepper, and spices. Despite its higher alcohol content, Its soft and well-integrated tannins make this wine exceptionally drinkable and charming.
The Križ wine is a blend of wines from the Križ and Postup regions, capturing the essence of Pelješac in every sip. The combination of the soil composition and the proximity to the sea gives this wine a mineral note and a well-rounded taste, making it one of the top offerings in its category.
Delusional Wine Babić
After leaving his corporate career in London to pursue his dream of starting a boutique winery on the Dalmatian coast, his friends deemed Mike Pulley delusional. And now, Delusional Winery produces some of the best Croatian organic wines, a unique blend of three indigenous grapes from Babić, Plavac Mali, and Zinfandel, also known as Crljenak Kaštelanski. In addition, their monovarietal Delusional Babić is made solely from the Babić grape.
Tasting notes
Babić shows the best concentration when cultivated with an extremely low yield, producing a wine with pronounced flavors of dark cherry, herbs, and stone. The wine is then aged for three years in a combination of French and Slavonian oak and is entirely handmade in a limited edition of only 1,250 bottles.
It’s quite remarkable to witness a man who, until recently, dedicated his life to the corporate world in London achieve such an authentic and sophisticated expression of the Babić variety.
His multilayered experience, showcased through his wine, takes the palate on a journey, starting with the distinct flavors of marasca cherry and spices before progressing towards a complex and refined mineral and balsamic finish.
It’s a testament to the power of passion and dedication, as this individual has managed to master the art of winemaking through relentless effort and a desire to create something extraordinary.
Are you looking for a new selection of the best organic wines from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia?
Look no further! Our curated collection is sure to impress. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find your new favorite! Explore our offer today and discover the delicious flavors of these exquisite organic wines.
Cheers to a sustainable and enjoyable wine-drinking experience!
