Champions announced as Vinistra presented in Zagreb

Champions are Zigante Vero, Kozlović, Tomaz, Clai, and PZ Vrbnik. The program at Vinistra has never been more attractive

Malvazija istarska 2025 from the Zigante Vero winery in Grožnjan is the Champion in the Young Malvasia category, while the prestigious title in the Aged Malvasia category was awarded to Santa Lucia 2019 from the Kozlović winery in Buje. Rossneu Malvasia Blanc 2025 from the Spanish winery Bodega Rossneu received the highest score overall and was awarded the Best in Show 2026 title.

Teran Superior 2021 from the Tomaz winery in Motovun is the champion in the Aged Teran category, Brombonero Refošk 2020 from the Clai winery in Buje won in the Aged Refošk category, while in the Young Žlahtina category, the Champion title went to Vrbnička Žlahtina 2025 from PZ Vrbnik.

A total of five Champion medals were awarded, along with one Best in Show medal, nine platinum medals, 97 gold medals, 385 silver medals, and 104 bronze medals.

These are the results of Vinistra’s 32nd wine and spirits evaluation and the 17th World of Malvasia, traditionally held in mid-April in Poreč and eagerly anticipated each year.

This year, more than 700 samples were evaluated in Poreč, including a record number of Malvasia wines—350 samples from six countries—while 60 samples were submitted for the regional evaluation of spirits covering the Istria and Kvarner regions.

See you at Vinistra – a rich program awaits us

The award ceremony will be held on May 6 at the Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna in Poreč, ahead of Vinistra, the longest-running and most popular wine exhibition in Croatia. Its 32nd edition was announced at the MIVA Wine Gallery in Zagreb, where top-quality Malvasias and Terans were enjoyed. It was also an opportunity to once again taste wines from the Riedel Malvasia Istriana glass, which will be used for tastings at the upcoming wine exhibition taking place in Poreč from May 8 to 10.

“Vinistra brings an exceptionally rich program and once again confirms its status as the most important wine event in the region. We can expect top-quality wines, strong international interest, and an opportunity to showcase the breadth and quality of Istrian winemaking,” said Luka Rossi, president of Vinistra, the association of Istrian winemakers and winegrowers.

Vineyard areas in Istria are expanding

“Vinistra is a special event for Istria – as soon as one ends, preparations for the next begin. Thanks to the hosts, organizers, partners, and everyone involved in making it happen, because without this collective support, such results would not be possible. This is a key event for promoting Istrian and Croatian wines, one that confirms its international importance year after year and attracts an ever-growing audience. The innovation of winemakers and the strong promotion of Malvasia and Teran have made them globally recognizable, and today wine also plays an important role in attracting visitors. Along with sun and sea, eno-gastronomy is one of the main reasons people come to Istria,” said Ezio Pinzan, Head of the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries, and Game Management of the Istrian County.

Dragan Kovačević, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy for Agriculture and Tourism, pointed out that while Croatia has recorded a decline of around 5,000 hectares of vineyard areas over the past ten years, Istria is moving in the opposite direction. In the past year alone, it increased its vineyard area by an additional 80 hectares. This is not a coincidence, but a clear sign of the continuity and strength of development among Istrian winemakers.

“We are pleased to support the dedicated people of Vinistra, who do their work at the highest level. We will continue to be there for them whenever needed, with all the resources we have, because only such synergy can bring progress and enable us to present ourselves to the world in a high-quality way,” emphasized Emil Perdec, Food & Beverage Manager of Plava Laguna, a long-standing partner of Vinistra.

See you from May 8 to 10 at the 32nd Vinistra.