Croatia is a country rich in history and culture, and Croatian wines reflect that. The central part of Croatia is home to some of the country's most renowned wineries, producing some of the best wines in the world.
Also known as central part of Croatia, the Bregovita Hrvatska region is one of the most important wine-producing regions of Croatia. The climate here is perfect for growing grapes and the soil is rich in minerals, making it ideal for vineyards. The region produces some of the best white wines in Croatia, as well as some delicious red wines.
Croatia's love affair with vines
The central part of Croatia is strongly associated with vines, as evidenced by archaeological finds from seventy million years ago in the area of Radoboj in Zagorje, Croatia.
This region's famous love affair with vines however, can be attributed to the ancient people who lived there – the Trechans, Illyrians and Celts – who vines cultivated and made wine from it. The Romans also played a role in this history, sometimes discouraging and sometimes encouraging the growth of vines.
Central Croatia Sub-Regions
This area consists of several vineyard sub-regions or rather several protected designation of origin (BOB) areas with their vineyards.
At the easternmost end, next to the Sava River, Moslavina with its vineyards sits on the gentle slopes of Moslavačka Mountain.
Further north on the fertile slopes of the mountains Medvednica, Kalnik and Bilogora are the vineyards of the Prigorje-Bilogora sub-region.
Zagorje-Međimurje is the northernmost wine-growing region of Croatia with its characteristic hilly landscapes that connect to the Alps in the north.
The picturesque and unique amphitheatres on the hillsides are characteristic of the Plešivica sub-region.
On the low hilly terrain from the Vukomerički Hills, next to the Kupa River and its tributaries Mrežnica and Dobra, are the vineyards of the Pokuplje wine sub-region.
The climate
The climate is moderate continental, suitable for the production of white wines† The most common types are Grasevina, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Kraljevina, Moslavac, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat yellow.
Other less common species worth mentioning are Škrlet and Klescec. This is also the end of indigenous less common grape varieties such as Sokol, Velika belina, Belina smudna, Črnin kasni and many others.
The wines have an average alcohol content, moderate to high acidity, extractive, usually fresh and crisp, with nice floral, fruit and herbal aromas.
The moderately warm autumn and the conditions in some years conducive to the formation of nobles fungi, ensure the production of complex, dense, viscous and relatively highly acidic predicate wines with very pronounced aroma's.
This is also a region for the production of red and rosé wines. Red wines are of various shades of ruby red, fresh, medium to full-bodied, with a moderate tanninintensity and pronounced fruit aromas.
Although most red wines drunk young in this area, complex red wines are produced suitable for aging, and the most common are red varieties Frankovka, Pinot crni, Portugizac and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sparkling and rosé wines
This is also a region of excellent sparkling wines characterized by their freshness and effervescence, usually produced from a mixture of grape varieties. We often find beautiful sparkling wine made from indigenous grape varieties such as Kraljevina, Moslavac, Škrlet, Plavec žuti or Šipon.
The most common rosé wines are produced from Pinot Noir, Kraljevina or Plavec uti.
Viticulture by small family businesses
This region covers 20% of Croatia's vineyards and, according to data from the Croatian Vineyard Register, 17,5% of the total Croatian grape and wine production is made here.
In the viticulture of this region, excellent results are achieved with the following grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot en Cabernet Sauvignon.
De vines are grown at an altitude of 120 meters to 400 meters above sea level. In this region there are no wineries with a large production as in Slavonia and the Danuberegion, but smaller, family-run cellars that also have the possibility to receive guests, thus connecting tourism and viticulture.
The first wine road project in Croatia was launched in 2000 in Zagreb County. The Međimurje Wine Route has been determined as a top national wine route according to the Zagreb Tourism Institute.
Winemakers united
Association of winemakers and winegrowers Bregovita Hrvatska was founded in 2019 to improve viticulture and winemaking and to promote the wines of the Središnja bregovita Hrvatska region.
The associations Graševina Croatica, Vino Dalmacije and Vinistra have already acquired the status of regional organizations and by recognizing Bregovita Hrvatska it will be possible to further develop the domestic wine industry as each regional organization will be able to independently finance promotion and marketing activities.
There are also opportunities to develop winegrowing strategies in each Croatian region, following the development model of the most famous Italian or French regions whose winemakers work according to identical association models.
Viticulture around Zagreb
Zagorje is one of the largest wine regions in continental Croatia in terms of area, with a specific legacy of small plots. It is also the coldest wine-growing region and there is always a high acidity in the wines, making it more popular for the cultivation of fresh dry wines, where such acidity is desirable.
Native and International Varieties
In the central Croatian wine region, in addition to international varieties, intensive efforts are also being made to revitalize indigenous varieties such as Škrlet, Diseca ranina, Moslavac bijelog, Kraljevine, Plavec žutog, our genetic treasure and a living monument to the centuries-long work of our farmers and ancestors.
Of the more than 120 indigenous grape varieties in Croatia was Škrlet the first variety on which clonal selection was carried out, from which we now have quality plant material.
It requires much less care than some world-renowned species that have been acclimatized here. The wine is full, fresh, with a pronounced soft inconspicuous aroma.
Besides the revitalization of native varieties in Croatia, the roots are also loosened by the biodynamic approach to viticulture and winemaking.
Croatian wine is among the best in the world!
Do you like full red wines or light and refreshing white wines† Whatever your preference, Croatia has a wine for everyone. And what's even better is that right here on this website Croatian wine can buy. Check out some of our favorites below. So what are you waiting for? Buy today Croatian wine!
