Vizzulin Winery - Pride of Petrovo Polje

In Zagreb, the Drniš winery Vizzulin was hosted in the workshop “It’s Time for…” at the Czech House. Alongside members of the media and the wine industry, the event was attended by the owner, Smiljan Reljić, and the enologist, Dr Željko Andabaka, a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb.

The winery began planting vines in 2010, starting with Merlot, which is abundant in the region, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pošip, Maraština, and Grk in 2022. The vineyards are located in Petrovo Polje on the southern slopes of Promina at around 300 metres above sea level. The name Vizzulin has been part of the Reljić family since the arrival of Josip Reljić Vizzulin in the Drniš area from Kaštela in the early 20th century. This boutique winery covers 3.5 hectares and produces around 15,000 litres of wine in an average year, bottling nine labels. We had the opportunity to taste the following wines:

Maruška Maraština 2024, 12.4% ABV

Pošip 2022, 13.8%

Rosé from Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, 13.1%

Tašel Cuvée (65% Merlot, 35% CS) 2019, 13.9%

Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, 14.1%

Merlot 2018, 14.0%

Merlot 2016, 14.1%

Kalandrun Merlot 2016, 14.6%

Dr. (Cabernet Sauvignon) 2016, 14.6%

There was lively discussion about several wines, but the overall conclusion echoed the words of our esteemed enologist Franjo Francem: “All the wines impressed me because the winemaker’s commitment to producing long-lasting, valuable wine is evident, rather than rushing to market, which has become a trend in Croatian winemaking.”

Prof. Željko Andabaka highlighted that the vines are still young and will produce increasingly better wines over time. He also noted the use of anti-transpirants during the hottest summer days, reducing leaf temperature by up to five degrees to preserve freshness. He believes American oak, often overlooked in Croatia, offers velvety tannins and phenolic maturity. Maceration temperatures range from 18 to 22°C, this year even lower at 17°C, with a regular pH of 3.5.

Here are impressions of five of the nine wines tasted, including one surprise wine. The Maruška Maraština 2024 honours Reljić’s late mother, who introduced him to the vineyard as a child. Straw yellow with green hues, it has herbal aromas and underwent slight batonnage with Pošip in stainless steel. Gastronomically, it pairs well with shellfish stew or baked scallops with Parmesan. Demand for this traditional Dalmatian variety is increasing, ranking mid-range in popularity between Debita, Zlatarica, Pošip, Grk, and Vugava.

Pošip 2022 received widespread acclaim at the workshop. Now three years old, it is rarely found on the market. Vinified in stainless steel with batonnage, it has bright golden-yellow colour, typical varietal aromas of yellow fruit (apricot, peach), dried chamomile, immortelle, and linden. On the palate, it is pleasant, with balanced acidity and a slight bitterness on the finish. Recommended with roasted or fried chicken. Reljić commented: “We don’t rush our wine to market; it must age for at least a year.” Franjo Francem noted that the law once required two years in the cellar. Colleague Krajančić from Korčula praised: “Only Smiljan’s Pošip rivals ours in Korčula.”

The Tašel Cuvée 2019 (65% Merlot, 35% CS) is named after the local word for “patch,” but the wine is anything but a patchwork. It has characteristic aromas of ripe berries, cinnamon, cloves, chocolate, and cocoa. Smooth and mature with ageing potential, it pairs well with veal under a bell, tuna, swordfish, or pork neck. Priced at €12.50 in the winery.

The Kalandrun Merlot Barrique 2016 is named after a local bird known for mimicking natural sounds. Garnet red with intense aromas of leather, ripe berries (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry), stewed plum jam, vanilla, coconut, and caramel. Fresh, mineral, and elegant on the palate, with well-integrated tannins and 14.6% ABV. Aged 18 months in American and French oak before blending. Won bronze at Decanter 2022. Label by Stipe Brčić represents an audiovisual interpretation of the Kalandrun’s call. Price: €32 including VAT.

Finally, the signature wine Dr. Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique 2016 (14.6% ABV) is ruby red, with intense ripe berry aromas (blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry), oak influence (vanilla), sweet spices, and mint. On the palate, it is rich, full-bodied, elegant, and harmonious, with well-rounded tannins. The 2016 vintage won gold at Decanter 2024 and was listed among the 15 most significant Cabernet Sauvignons worldwide.

Overall, the wines reflect precision, terroir characteristics of central Dalmatia—hot summer days and cool nights between Moseć in the south and Promina in the north—thanks to the expertise of winemaker Smiljan Reljić and enologist Andabaka. The winery sells most of its wine during summer to visiting wine enthusiasts, with significant contributions from Reljić’s wife, Višnja (a psychology graduate). Wines are primarily sold in the Šibenik region and Zagreb, with some exports to Germany and the USA. The Reljić family’s successful winemaking project has been thriving for 15 years, and we wish them many more successful years.

Photos: Vjeko Madunić and Vinarija Vizzulin