Hrvatska Istra PDOMalvazija Istarska, Refosco, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muskat RuzaFounded 1842Peter PolettiPorec and the Riviera Hinterland
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.
Hrvatska Istra PDOMalvazija Istarska, Teran, RefoscoFounded 2006Dimitri BrecevicWinemaker Dimitri BrecevicBuzet
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.
Hrvatska Istra PDOMalvazija Istarska, Chardonnay, TeranBale
Bale estate combining a Relais and Chateaux wine hotel with roughly 40,000 vines and a 13-label wine range, plus its own olive groves, restaurants and beach club.
Tasting: Wine Lounge tastings pairing estate wine with the winery's own olive oil, on site at the Meneghetti Wine Hotel.
Tip: The Wine Lounge tasting sits inside the working winery rather than the hotel's public rooms.
Hrvatska Istra PDOMuskat, Chardonnay, Malvazija IstarskaBale
Golas estate and relais outside Bale pouring Muscat, Chardonnay and Malvazija alongside a rose, its tastings built around local prosciutto and cheese pairings.
Tasting: Wine tastings and guided tours with local prosciutto and cheese, Tuesday-Sunday 11:00-19:00, Monday by request; group bookings for up to 60 guests.
Tip: Group tastings run up to 60 guests, so this is a reliable option for a larger party without a private booking elsewhere.
Hrvatska Istra PDOMalvazija Istarska, Chardonnay, Refosco, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, TeranVodnjan
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.
Hrvatska Istra PDOMalvazija Istarska, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Teran, SyrahBruno TrapanWinemaker Bruno TrapanPula and the South
Sisan estate south of Pula run by winemaker Bruno Trapan across fourteen labels, from Ponente and Istraditional Malvazija to Teran, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah bottlings.
Tasting: Premium tastings of 5-7 wines with food pairings, EUR30-40. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00-13:00 and 17:00-22:00, Sunday by appointment.
Tip: The Double Trouble and The One blends sit outside the estate's varietal range and are worth asking for if pouring.