Istria is the heart-shaped peninsula at the top of the Adriatic, a short drive from Trieste and, in summer, a catamaran ride from Venice. Inland, hill towns such as Motovun and Grožnjan look down on vineyards of Malvazija Istarska, the region’s white grape, and Teran, its sharp, deep red. Most estates are family run and work by appointment, which suits a slow, well-planned tasting trip. This guide, part of our Croatia wine guide and a natural extension of our complete guide to Italian wine regions, covers the wines, six estates that take visitors, a two-day plan and where to stay.
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Quick answer: Istrian wine country in 2026
- Best estate for a first visit: Kozlović in Momjan, with several structured tastings, a terrace over the vines and tastings in English and Italian.
- Best tasting experience: Meneghetti near Bale, where wine, estate olive oil, a Relais & Châteaux hotel and a daily Wine Lounge sit on one property.
- Best base: Poreč, roughly in the middle: about 30 minutes from Motovun and about 45 minutes from the Momjan estates.
- Best months: May, June, September and October. Harvest usually falls in September, depending on the year.
- Book ahead: every cellar visit, a private driver for tasting days, and any truffle hunt.
Check prices and availability
Poreč puts both the northern wine villages and the Motovun hills within an easy drive, with the sea on your doorstep.
The wines: grapes, appellations and styles in plain English
Istrian quality wine is labelled under the protected designation of origin Hrvatska Istra (Croatian Istria). You will also hear about red, white and grey soils in every cellar.
- Malvazija Istarska (Istrian Malvasia): the signature white. Estates make it in several styles: young and fresh, aged in wood or large casks, and macerated on the skins in the orange wine manner. A few, such as Kabola, also age it in amphorae.
- Teran: the key native red, usually high in acidity and deep in colour.
- International grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and the Pinots are widely planted.
- Muscat: the village of Momjan is also known for its sweet muscat.
The Teran name dispute. In Slovenia, Teran is a protected name for red wine from the Karst (Kras) plateau, and Slovenia objected to its use on Croatian labels after Croatia joined the EU. A 2017 European Commission delegated act allowed Istrian wines to carry the label “Hrvatska Istra” together with “teran” as a variety name. Slovenia challenged the act, and the EU General Court dismissed the case on 9 September 2020; Slovenia later decided not to appeal. Istrian Teran therefore appears with the Hrvatska Istra designation, and Slovenian Karst Teran is a separate wine. Feelings still run high on both sides, so raise it with curiosity rather than opinion.
Coming from the Italian side? The white wine culture here sits close to that of the Collio and Friuli, where Malvasia is also grown, and the two regions combine well via Trieste.
The wineries: six estates that take visitors
Almost every estate works by appointment. We name the source where details come from the Istria tourist board or a hotel group’s official experience listing. We could not confirm tasting prices published by any of the six estates, so check with the estate. Driving times are approximate.
1. Kozlović, Momjan (Buje area)
A well-known Malvazija name below the village of Momjan in the far north-west. Valamar’s official experience platform lists a tour and terrace tasting of five wines with seasonal bites, and a private tasting of six wines including archive bottles from the Valle and Santa Lucia vineyards.
- Duration: from about 1 hour 30 minutes (terrace) or 2 hours 30 minutes (private).
- Languages: English and Croatian, plus Italian for the terrace tasting.
- Booking rules: reservation mandatory, usually 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Saturday. Private tastings take 2 to 8 guests. Some listings showed “available soon” when we checked, so contact the estate directly.
- Distance: about 45 minutes from Poreč, around 25 minutes from Savudrija.
2. Kabola, Momjan (Buje area)
A few minutes from Kozlović, at about 270 metres with 20 hectares of vines (Istria tourist board). Kabola is known for Malvazija aged in amphorae as well as fresher styles, a good contrast on the same day.
- Tasting room: up to 30 people (Istria tourist board).
- Booking, duration, languages, price: by phone or email; check with the estate.
- Distance: about 45 minutes from Poreč.
3. Roxanich, Motovun
A winery and design hotel below Motovun, with a restaurant, wine shop and estate olive oil. On vineyards, our research was unclear: the Istria tourist board lists 24 hectares, while the same page says the winery works with a partner family’s vineyards rather than its own. Ask the estate if it matters to you.
- Tasting room: up to 60 people (Istria tourist board).
- Booking, duration, languages, price: check with the estate.
- Distance: about 30 minutes from Poreč.
4. Benvenuti, Kaldir (Motovun)
A family estate in Kaldir, just below Motovun, with 22 hectares of vines and Decanter World Wine Awards recognition in 2025 and 2026 (Istria tourist board). Besides Malvazija and Teran it grows the rare local Ulovina. Valamar’s official listing describes three tastings of five or six wines, one focused on Teran.
- Duration: about 70 to 90 minutes.
- Languages: Croatian, English and German.
- Booking rules: 2 to 18 guests, Monday to Saturday, by reservation.
- Distance: about 30 minutes from Poreč, 5 minutes from Motovun.
5. Matošević, Krunčići (Sveti Lovreč)
An organic estate in central Istria with 15 hectares of vines (Istria tourist board), and the closest of the six to Poreč. The estate’s booking page lists a Malvazija tasting of five wines, one an archive wine, with a winery tour.
- Duration: from about 1 hour.
- Languages: Croatian and English.
- Booking rules: prior notice required; open daily in summer according to Valamar’s listing.
- Distance: about 20 minutes from Poreč.
6. Meneghetti, Bale
A wine estate, olive grove and Relais & Châteaux hotel near Bale, south of Rovinj, making a red Bordeaux-style blend, a Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc white and several olive oils. Its 2026 press kit lists a Wine Lounge open daily, wine and olive oil tastings and guided winery tours.
- Booking, duration, languages, price: tours by appointment; check with the estate.
- Distance: about 40 minutes from Poreč, about 15 minutes from Rovinj.
Also on the map: the Istria tourist board lists tasting rooms at Clai near Buje and Coronica near Umag; Trapan and Degrassi also appear on many wine routes. We could not confirm 2026 visit arrangements for these, so contact them before you go.
Comparison: the six estates at a glance
| Estate | Area | Known for | From Poreč | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kozlović | Momjan | Malvazija, archive tastings | about 45 min | A polished first visit |
| Kabola | Momjan | Amphora Malvazija | about 45 min | Curious drinkers |
| Roxanich | Motovun | Malvazija, Teran, estate hotel | about 30 min | Tasting, lunch and a bed |
| Benvenuti | Kaldir | Teran, rare local grapes | about 30 min | Red wine lovers |
| Matošević | Sveti Lovreč | Organic, Malvazija incl. archive wine | about 20 min | A short trip from the coast |
| Meneghetti | Bale | Blends, olive oil, hotel | about 40 min | Couples with mixed interests |
Truffles and olive oil: what to pair with the wine
The oak forest along the Mirna valley below Motovun is Istria’s best-known truffle ground, and the village of Livade at its foot is home to truffle shops and restaurants. White truffles are an autumn affair; exact seasons vary, so ask about dates before planning a hunt. Teran with truffle pasta and Malvazija with olive oil on bread are the pairings you will meet most often.
Meneghetti, Roxanich, Matošević and Coronica all make their own olive oil, so ask for an oil tasting alongside the wine: a good option for a partner who is less into wine.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Use a driver. In Croatia the general limit is 0.5 grams of alcohol per kilogram of blood, and drivers under 24 and professional drivers must have zero, according to the European Transport Safety Council. The government is reported to be studying a change, so check before you travel, and book a private driver through your hotel.
Day 1: the north-west (Momjan, Buje and Grožnjan)
- 09:30: leave Poreč for Momjan (about 45 minutes).
- 10:30: tasting at Kozlović.
- 12:30: lunch nearby; ask the estate to recommend.
- 15:00: Kabola, a few minutes away.
- 17:00: drive to Grožnjan (about 25 minutes), a hilltop town of galleries.
- 19:00: return to Poreč (about 45 minutes).
Day 2: central Istria (Sveti Lovreč and Motovun)
- 10:00: Matošević in Krunčići (about 20 minutes from Poreč).
- 12:00: drive to Motovun (about 30 minutes), walls and a truffle lunch.
- 15:30: Benvenuti in Kaldir, or Roxanich below Motovun.
- 18:00: back to Poreč (about 30 minutes), or stay the night at Roxanich.
Based in Rovinj instead? Swap day 2 for Meneghetti in the morning and Motovun in the afternoon (see our Rovinj and Istria guide).
Charlotte’s tip: one tasting before lunch, one after
Two estates a day is plenty: lunch is long and the roads are slow. If you are travelling with someone less into wine, plan day 2 around Motovun: one of you tastes at Benvenuti while the other walks the town walls, then meet for truffles. Arriving by sea? See our Istria by boat guide.
Best months, events and practical tips
- Spring (May and June): green hills and open cellars before the summer crowds.
- Summer (July and August): beach season on the coast; book tastings well ahead and go early in the day.
- Autumn (September and October): harvest, usually in September, then truffle season and olive picking. Cellars are busy during harvest, so confirm visits.
- Winter: quiet, with shorter hours at some estates.
Vinistra: Istria’s main wine fair took place in Poreč from 8 to 10 May 2026 at the Žatika sports hall. We found no 2027 dates when we checked.
Practical points:
- Croatia uses the euro.
- Book every visit by email a week or more ahead, and say if anyone in your group does not drink.
- From Italy: Trieste is roughly an hour from the Momjan estates by car, and seasonal summer catamarans link Venice with Poreč and Rovinj. See our guide to crossing from Italy to Croatia by boat.
Where to stay: four hotels for an Istrian wine trip
Choose a coastal base or a wine estate hotel. For more options, see our full guide on where to stay in Istria and our pick of the best luxury hotels in Croatia.
Meneghetti Wine Hotel and Winery, Bale
A five-star Relais & Châteaux estate with villas, some with private pools, a spa and access to a beach club (ask the hotel how far it is and how to get there). Our research turned up contradictory figures on its size: the estate’s 2026 press kit lists 58 rooms, suites, villas and residences, the Istria tourist board 59 and Relais & Châteaux 55. It was not clear to us which applies, so confirm with the hotel when you book. The Meneghetti Restaurant is listed in the 2026 Michelin selection. Seasonal opening is not stated, so ask the hotel.
Best for: couples who want wine, spa and sea in one place.
Check rates at Meneghetti Wine Hotel and Winery
Winery & Design Hotel Roxanich, Motovun
A contemporary building next to the Roxanich winery. Our research turned up contradictory information on its size: one small-hotel booking site lists 10 rooms, while a major booking platform lists 32, so confirm with the hotel. It has a restaurant, bar, wellness area with sauna and Turkish bath, and a seasonal outdoor pool. You will also see it listed as Wine & Heritage Hotel Roxanich. Motovun and Benvenuti are a few minutes away. Ask the hotel about winter opening.
Best for: staying in the wine hills rather than on the coast.
Check rates at Winery & Design Hotel Roxanich
BO Hotel Palazzo, Poreč
A historic building on the Poreč seafront, opened as Hotel Riviera in 1910 and reopened as Grand Hotel Palazzo after renovation in 2009, according to the Istria tourist board, which lists 88 rooms, a spa, a restaurant and an outdoor pool. Booking sites may still show the Grand Hotel Palazzo name. Ask the hotel about seasonal opening.
Best for: a town base with evenings in the old town.
Check rates at BO Hotel Palazzo
Adriatic Istria Resort (formerly Kempinski Hotel Adriatic), Savudrija
On the coast near Umag, with 186 rooms and suites, three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa and the 18-hole Golf Adriatic course. Minor Hotels took over management in February 2026 and the resort operates as Adriatic Istria Resort for the 2026 season; it is due to relaunch as Anantara Adriatic Istria Resort in early 2027 after a refurbishment, and booking sites may still show the Kempinski name. Kozlović and Kabola are about 25 minutes away, and Trieste is the closest Italian city. Ask the hotel about seasonal opening.
Best for: combining the northern wineries with golf.
Check rates at Adriatic Istria Resort
Check prices and availability
If the estate hotels are full, Poreč has the widest choice within reach of both wine areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Istrian wineries without an appointment?
Rarely. Most estates here ask for a reservation; book a few days ahead, more in July, August and at harvest.
Is Croatian Teran the same as Slovenian Teran?
No. Slovenian Teran is a protected wine from the Karst plateau. Istrian Teran is labelled with the Hrvatska Istra designation, as EU rules allow.
How many days do I need?
Two full days cover the northern estates and Motovun comfortably. Add a third for Meneghetti and the Rovinj side, or for a truffle hunt in autumn.
Can I combine Istria with Italian wine regions?
Yes. The Collio and Friuli lie on the other side of Trieste, and Venice is a summer catamaran ride away, so a north Adriatic wine trip can easily take in both countries.
Planning more wine days on the Adriatic?
