Our favourite Istrian wineries and the perfect two-day wine route

Istria has been producing wine since Roman times. The two grape varieties that define the region, Malvazija Istarska and Teran, have been grown on these red-soiled hills for centuries, and the family wineries that make them have quietly been getting very, very good. The international wine world is starting to notice. We noticed a while ago. Here are our five favourite wineries in Istria, and a suggested two-day route to visit them all without rushing a single glass.

Why Istrian wine is worth your attention

Malvazija Istarska is one of Europe's great underrated white wines: aromatic, dry, slightly mineral, and endlessly versatile with food. Teran, grown on the region's iron-rich red soil, produces deep, structured reds that reward those willing to explore beyond familiar names. Most Istrian wineries are small, family-owned, and deeply connected to the land they work. Tastings are personal rather than commercial. You often meet the winemaker. You leave with bottles you can't find anywhere else.

It's always a good idea to call or email ahead before visiting. In July and August it might get pretty busy. During low season, some wineries are open by appointment or have limited walk-in hours. A call in advance is also just good manners, and the welcome is always warmer for it.

Our five favourite wineries

Rossi: five generations above the Mirna valley

The Rossi family has been making wine in Vižinada since 1885, when Federico Rossi planted the first Teran and Malvazija vines on a hill above the Mirna river. Five generations later, brothers Luka, Marko and Filip run one of the most polished winery experiences in Istria: a beautiful tasting room with views stretching from the Istrian hilltop towns all the way to the Alps and the Adriatic. The wines are excellent across the board. The aged Malvazija Templara is a standout, and the Šovran XO brandy is worth trying if you're not driving. Three tasting formats are available, from a classic introduction to a more immersive deep-dive. Book ahead, especially in summer.

→ Tip: Located a short walk from Villa Louisa and Villa Noah.

Deklić: four generations and a spectacular new cellar

The Deklić family has been growing Malvazija in Vižinada since the 1920s, and the fourth generation, siblings David, Dino and Lucija, has taken the winery to a new level. Their new cellar, designed by Croatian architect Viktor Vrečko, is one of the most beautiful buildings in Istria: a structure of red-tinted concrete and COR-TEN steel embedded into the hillside, with a rooftop terrace that opens onto views from the Alps to Venice. The wines match the setting. Their aged Malvazija and the red blend La Famiglia are both exceptional, and Lucija's guided tastings are among the most enjoyable in the region. Open Monday to Saturday, no reservation needed for walk-in visits.

→ Tip: Located in Vižinada, a 5-minute drive to Villa Louisa and Villa Noah.

Tomaz: lunch with a view of Motovun

Klaudio Tomaz started making wine in 2008 in a garage near Motovun. His new winery, opened in 2023, is anything but a garage: a striking 1,650 square-metre building in Istrian stone and corten steel, with a tasting room and terrace that look directly out over the vineyards and the medieval hilltop town. Tomaz is the one winery on this list where you can also have a proper lunch, pairing their wines with local delicacies and truffle dishes while watching Motovun glow in the afternoon light. The portfolio leans heavily on Teran, including the gold-medal-winning Barbarossa aged 18 months in oak. Their Malvazija Avangarde is crisp and the white Muškat is dry and floral. A stop here is easy to combine with a walk up to Motovun afterwards.

→ Tip: Located a short drive from Villa Vegt and Villa Silene.

Radovani: a quiet village and an outstanding Malvazija

Franko Radovan's winery is hidden in the tiny village of Radovani, near Višnjan, at the end of a narrow lane between stone walls and old iron gates. It's not easy to find, and that's part of the charm. Inside, Franko and his family have been making wine since the 1990s with a philosophy that hasn't changed: good wine starts in the vineyard. Their Malvazija is consistently outstanding, clean and full with excellent freshness. The Refošk is wonderfully round, and the Sauvignon Blanc is better than you'd expect. Call ahead to make sure someone is in. Once you're there, plan to stay for a couple of hours.

→ Tip: Located close to Villa Silene, Villa Farini and Villa Mileni.

Damjanić: a grand history and a remarkable Borgonja

The Damjanić story goes back further than most. The Jurković family first planted vines in Fuškulin in the 18th century, and in 1928 they won a gold medal at the Grand Prix in Paris. After a 50-year interruption, Ivan Damjanić and his family began replanting the vineyards in the early 2000s. Today, the winery near Poreč produces around a dozen labels across Classic and Premium lines. The standout is the Clemente red, a Bordeaux-style blend with a touch of Teran and Gamay. Ivan's Borgonja is also exceptional: a rare variety grown here from vines that are over a hundred years old. Tasting sessions are guided and thorough.

→ Tip: Located right in front of Villa Fuskulina, near Poreč.

The two-day wine route

Five wineries in one day sounds appealing on paper, but the reality is that a good tasting takes time. You want to linger, ask questions, compare glasses, and actually enjoy what you're drinking. Spread across two afternoons, this route becomes one of the best ways to spend a few days in Istria.

Designate a driver for each day, or look into private wine tour operators based in Poreč or Rovinj who can take the wheel. Several offer tailored half-day routes with transport included.

Day one: lunch at Tomaz, then Deklić, ending at Rossi

Start the afternoon with lunch at Tomaz, at the foot of Motovun. Order the truffle pasta, pick a glass of Teran, and take your time on the terrace. After lunch, head west toward Vižinada for a tasting at Deklić: the architecture alone is worth the detour, and Lucija's guided tasting is thorough without feeling rushed. From there, it's a five-minute drive to Rossi. Save this one for last. As the afternoon fades into early evening and the sun drops toward the Adriatic, the views from the Rossi terrace are at their very best. End with the Šovran XO if you have a driver, and take a few bottles home.

Villa Louisa and Villa Noah are within walking distance of Rossi. A short stroll back to your own terrace, a cold glass of something from the cellar, and the evening is yours.

Day two: Radovani and Damjanić, with a BBQ to end the day

Start in the early afternoon at Radovani. Give yourself time here: it's a small, informal, deeply authentic tasting, and Franko's Malvazija deserves a proper conversation. From Radovani, it's around 30 minutes south to Damjanić in Fuškulin. The guided tasting covers the full range, from the fresh Malvazija through to the Clemente and Ivan's Borgonja. Buy a few bottles before you leave.

Villa Fuskulina is a short walk from Damjanić. Head back, fire up the BBQ, open the bottles you've collected over two days, and let the evening take its time.

Good to know

What to drink

Start with Malvazija at each stop to compare styles across different producers and terroirs. Move to Teran or the red blends in the afternoon, when your palate is more receptive to tannins. At Rossi, don't skip the distillates if you have a driver: the Šovran XO is a genuine surprise.

What to bring home

All five wineries sell directly, and prices are fair. The aged Malvazija from Deklić, the Clemente from Damjanić, and the Barbarossa Teran from Tomaz are the three we most often recommend to guests. And if Franko at Radovani has any Refošk left in stock, don't hesitate.

Stay in the heart of wine country

The best way to explore Istria's wine country is to be based in it. Being close to a winery, with no need to rush back to a hotel in town, changes the experience entirely. Several of our villas are located within easy reach of our favourite wineries. To be honest, almost every Homes of Croatia villa in Istria has a winery within a short drive or even within walking distance. It's just that kind of region.

Browse all our villas in Istria →