New Deklić Winery

From June 2025, wine lovers will be able to visit the winery, which covers an area of ​​2,500 square meters. The winery with a century-old tradition will offer wine tasting and the enjoyment of the sunset and sea view. The century-old tradition of Deklić wine is currently experiencing its peak with the opening of a new winery in the village of Ferenci near Vižinada in Istria. Ten years after taking over the winery from their parents and grandfather, the descendants of the Deklić family – Lucija, Dino and David – presented the new winery project at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb.

"A particular challenge was the start of the winery's construction during the pandemic, and it was important to us that our love for wine could be felt alongside modern technology," said Dino Deklić. Authenticity and functionality were the guiding principles for constructing the new winery, using pigmented concrete as an association with the Istrian red soil. In addition to the production and maintenance areas, an important part is the tasting room, which forms a whole with the terrace.

"The terrace offers a view of the sea, and when the weather permits, even Venice. The sunset, which the terrace faces, is a special experience. With the interior, we tried to achieve the feeling of a real Istrian tavern, and the pleasant ambiance is also contributed by the artwork of photographer Mara Milin and sculptor Mirko Zrinščak, whose sculpture adorns the terrace," said architect Viktor Vrečko, the author of the conceptual design of the winery. The new winery is accompanied by a new visual identity for Deklić wines, designed by the Istrian Studio Sonda.

"We wanted to remain authentic with the new design. The new labels are in the shape of our initials - the letter D, and the appearance of the new winery has been adapted to that. In the background of the labels, which are in our country's colours, four generations of this family are subtly woven, like shadows of the past that shape the present. It is also a gentle reminder of the heritage we carry and the future we are creating," revealed Lucija Deklić.

The foundations of this winery were laid by great-grandfather Marko and continued by grandfather Konstantin, the oldest living member of the family, who still works diligently every day in the vineyard. Two lines of aged wines are named after him – Malvasia and Teran from 2021, which are currently being released on the market. In addition to these two wines from the 2021 vintage, the guests were also presented with Malvasia Istrian from 2024 and last year's Chardonnay, which is particularly successful in Istria in the areas around Vižinada and Kaštelir, where the Deklićs have vineyards. The rosé is also impressive and playful, just like Carlotta Grisi, the ballerina from Vižinada after whom this wine is named. "Last year was very challenging for winemakers, but also warmer, which we winemakers love," emphasized David Deklić. Sommelier Kruno Filipović also confirmed that the wines presented were of exceptional quality.

foto: Božidar Banov