Restoring the Ancient Tradition – Ante Sladić Winery
“The world is changed.
I feel it in the water.
I feel it in the Earth.
I smell it in the air.”
A famous prologue of Tolkien`s Lord of the rings continues… “Much that once was is lost. For none now live who remember it.”
In many ways, it corresponds with a place most unlike imaginable. No, not the Hobbiton but the unique microclimate of Plastovo. It was here where the rich cultural heritage of Dalmatia meets both sun-scorched plains and fresh air from the North.
A nearby town of Skradin looks like typical, only perhaps even more beautiful, coastal place. It is only when you take a swim on its beach you realize the sea is so much less salty. Because of these unique conditions, some grapevines are endemic to this place. A glass filled with Lasina, for example, has more similarities to pale and transparent Pinot Noir than to concentrated dark ripeness of the flagship Dalmatian variety, Plavac mali.
The river of Krka brings freshwater from mountains and underground and then through cascades creating a protected environment of Krka national park.
Just outside the borders of the national park, vineyards of Plastovo are restoring the ancient tradition. Almost exclusively, indigenous varieties are grown. Definitely so in case of our young winemaker, Ante Sladić.
He may be way to young to remember it, but with everything he does, it shows respect to the ways of old. To times that may be lost, but not forgotten.
His grandfather enjoys his Debit in a manner today known as “amber” or “orange”. This was never a style, but the only way to make wine. And Debit was named after its practical use – to pay the debt, as accepted currency in its time.
Many wine lovers know this. Wine can “transfer” you to places it`s coming from when you have no time or resources to travel. But can it transfer you to the past?
Each Ante Sladić bottle is enveloped in history. The dice you can spot printed on the Debit label is the actual artifact dug out of the nearby roman archaeological site. Wine is a perfect example of balanced fresh white wine, saline minerality, and fruit character.
The miner’s wife picture really comes to life when you enjoy a glass of Lasina Opol. This rose may appear gentle but is also very firm and ambitious. Local girl with big dreams. Such as Lasina variety.
With pages from the first Dalmatian ampelography, Plavina is recognized as relative to Plavac mali, but entirely different in structure. Much less tannic and with more freshness, but with all the aromatic associations of Dalmatia and Mediterranean.
Black rose is a synonym for elegant and silky Lasina. As a true rarity, Lasina is truly unique in every aspect.
Maraština was actually recognized as a medicine. You could buy Maraština in a drug store. Those were the days right 🙂
Despite the staff of Asclepius on the label, there is no need to seek it in a drug store today. You can buy it on our webshop and cure Your thirst for structured Dalmatian white wine.
Maraština spends more time in the cellar, acts favorably stored in used wooden barrels and is suitable for aging in bottle.
