It has been an exceptionally successful year for the Vinistra association. The first major wine gathering of Istrian winemakers awaits us as early as February 2 at Hotel Esplanade Zagreb.

The Vinistra association is rounding off a very successful year with an appearance at the prestigious Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London and a study trip to the renowned wine-growing regions of Alsace in France and Mosel in Germany.

Let's recall that this year Vinistra, following the example of leading global competitions, significantly raised the standards of its traditional wine and spirits competition, as well as the World of Malvasia, while Istrian Malvasias shone at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Just two weeks after the announcement of the London competition results, Vinistra, in cooperation with Decanter, successfully organized the Decanter 2025 Winners Showcase by Vinistra in Umag for the second consecutive year, presenting the highest-rated wines from across Croatia. With a total of 256 medals, Croatia rightfully secured 8th place in the world.

Most importantly, Istrian winemakers are pleased with the current harvest and are announcing excellent wines, which is why the wine world is eagerly awaiting the new En Primeur, scheduled for February 2 at Hotel Esplanade in Zagreb.

The event is anticipated by wine professionals, hospitality industry representatives, and wine lovers alike, will once again bring together around seventy winemakers from the Istrian wine scene, with a focus on Malvazija istarska, as well as several of their colleagues from Kvarner, who will present Žlahtina.

For years now, En Primeur has held a special place on the Croatian wine map. It is a concept adopted from France, allowing wines to be tasted at the earliest stage of their development and offering the first insight into the potential of a vintage. And this year, there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

“The viticultural season was almost ideal, the harvest was excellent, and winemakers are announcing wines of exceptional freshness, balance, and aromatic expression. That is precisely why En Primeur 2026 carries additional weight – as early as the beginning of February in Zagreb, the profession will receive an answer to whether the high expectations are justified,” emphasized Luka Rossi, President of Vinistra, the Association of winegrowers and winemakers of Istria, at the annual Assembly where an ambitious work plan for 2026 was presented.

See you at the Esplanade in February. 

Registration for professionals is available on the link.