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Awards were presented to winemakers who earned medals at this year’s Vinistra Wine and Spirits Awards and The World of Malvasia competition.
Traditionally, two evenings before the opening of Vinistra, the first glasses are poured at Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna in Poreč, medals clink, and the audience applauds all those who have poured their heart and soul into the vineyard and cellar over the past year. This year was no exception at the awards ceremony for the best participants of the 32nd Wine and Spirits Awardsvand the 17th The World of Malvasia, held in mid-April in Poreč.
The event serves as an overture to the 32nd Vinistra, which opens tomorrow and runs until Sunday, May 10, with Istria once again becoming the center of outstanding Malvasia and Teran wines for three days.
Let us recall that a total of five champion medals, one Best in Show award, nine platinum, 97 gold, 385 silver, and 104 bronze medals were presented at this year’s competition. Champion titles went to Zigante Vero for young Malvasia, Kozlović for the aged Malvasia Santa Lucia 2019, Tomaz for the aged Teran Superior 2021, Clai for Brombonero Refosco 2020, and PZ Vrbnik for Vrbnička žlahtina 2025, while the Best in Show title went to the Spanish winery Bodega Rossneu for Rossneu Malvasia Blanc 2025.
Malvasia is a great wine
The owner of the Spanish winery, Philip Surmain, did not hide his emotions during the award ceremony. He said that for their small Spanish winery, this recognition feels almost unreal.
“We started in 2020, sold our first wines only in 2023, won silver at the World of Malvasia last year, and now Best in Show. This is a huge confirmation that we are doing something right. Malvasia is a special grape variety — it retains freshness and acidity even in warm climates, and that is exactly what makes it a great wine for the future. This is an incredible experience for us,” the winemaker said, still overwhelmed by the award.
That Vinistra has long since become much more than just a wine exhibition and has grown into a serious international story was emphasized by the mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić. He said that wherever he goes, from Croatia to European fairs and cities, people specifically ask about Istrian wines.
“What you have created over these thirty years is a remarkable achievement. Today, Istria is synonymous with quality wine, and that is no coincidence. People often only see the final moment, when glasses are raised and everyone enjoys themselves, but they rarely see how much work, effort, and sacrifice stand behind every bottle. You are true ambassadors of Poreč and Istria,” Peršurić told the winemakers.
The most relevant wine evaluation in this part of Europe
A similar message was delivered by Ezio Pinzan, Head of Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries and Water Management of the Istrian County, who emphasized that Vinistra’s evaluation has today become one of the most relevant wine competitions in this part of Europe.
“Vinistra has long outgrown the framework of an ordinary event. It has become a place where global trends in winemaking are followed, where the ideal style of Malvasia is sought, and where the future of Istrian wines is shaped. Malvasia was once a wine known only to us, but today it has become a global wine — light, fresh, and easy to drink, exactly what the market is looking for. A tremendous amount of work has been done in just over 30 years, and today we walk across Europe with a serious wine identity,” said Pinzan.
On behalf of Vinistra’s members, Istrian winemaker Robi Bertoša thanked everyone who has for years supported the organization and promotion of Istrian wines, emphasizing that the medals are not a coincidence but the result of collective effort.
Teran, a wine we are proud of
“We have a team of professionals in Vinistra’s office in Poreč who have been working seriously and passionately for years, from organization to promotion, and that is why we are achieving results and receiving recognitions like these today. A major breakthrough has been made with Malvasia, which has become synonymous with Istria. I would especially like to thank colleagues who in previous years won major awards with Teran and built its reputation. It is now up to us to continue that story and ensure that Teran remains a wine we are proud of,” said Bertoša.
The winemakers were also congratulated by Davor Herak, director of Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna, a long-time golden sponsor of Vinistra, who highlighted the importance of Istrian wines in promoting the destination.
The medal ceremony also served as a reminder of how much Vinistra’s evaluation has grown in recent years. More than 700 samples arrived in Poreč for this year’s judging, including as many as 350 Malvasia wines from six countries.
Raising the standards made the success even greater
Winemakers were also congratulated by the president of the Vinistra association, Luka Rossi.
“By introducing a new judging system last year, modeled after the world’s most prestigious wine competitions, we raised the criteria to a very high level. This gave Vinistra’s awards even greater significance, making the success you celebrate today even more impressive. These medals are confirmation of dedicated work, but our greatest strength is our unity. Competition encourages us to be better, but it is precisely cooperation and the joint promotion of our wines that make us recognizable and strong,” Rossi emphasized.
Starting tomorrow, the entire story moves to Žatika Sports Hall in Poreč for the 32nd Vinistra 2025. The glasses are polished, the bottles are chilled, and the winemakers are ready.