5 editor-picked estates growing Refosco in Istria.
Where to taste Refosco in Istria: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.
Krasica cellar in the Bujstina known for skin-contact and long-macerated wines, including the Ottocento range and single-vineyard Refosk bottlings from red-soil sites around Buje.
Tasting: Cellar-door tastings Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00, Saturday 10:00-14:00.
Tip: The Ottocento range shows the estate's longer-maceration house style; ask which vintage is currently pouring.
Brtonigla family winery whose vineyards date to 1938, working Malvazija Istarska, Refosco and Teran across still, rose and traditional-method sparkling bottlings alongside its own olive oil.
Tasting: Tastings with panoramic vineyard views and on-site sales. Open Monday-Saturday 9:00-18:00, Sunday 10:00-14:00.
Tip: The estate also presses its own olive oil from Istarska bjelica and Leccino trees; ask for a combined tasting.
Visnjan estate dating to 1842 and run today by Peter Poletti, working Malvazija Istriana, Refosk, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon; the 2024 Chardonnay medalled at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2025.
Tasting: Guided wine and olive oil tastings by appointment, in the tavern or on a terrace over the coastline. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00-19:00.
Tip: Terrace tastings look out over roughly 30 km of coastline toward Porec.
Buzet cellar founded in 2006 by Dimitri Brecevic, built on spontaneous fermentation and extended barrel ageing of Malvazija Istarska, Teran and Refosk, bottled unfiltered.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment, contact by phone.
Tip: These are slow-built wines; ask the cellar which current release is drinking best rather than reaching for the newest vintage.
Vodnjan estate farming roughly 60 hectares near Medulina and Pula, making Malvazija Istarska, Chardonnay, a Refosk-Merlot-Cabernet rose, Teran and a Malvazija-based traditional-method sparkling.
Tasting: Tastings at the adjoining ByIstria tasting room, Monday-Friday 8:00-16:00, Saturday 8:00-13:00; guided tastings by advance booking.
Tip: The ByIstria tasting room next door pours Medea alongside other south-Istria producers if the winery itself is fully booked.