People say Croatia is the Next Big Thing in wine. But with 2,500 years of winemaking history and over 130 native varieties, it is also a big topic.

Let us break it all down for you starting with the key regions, grapes and personalities you should know.

Happy scrolling,

Belle & Zoran

The northwest corner of Croatia, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean, is where the Istrian peninsula works its magic. Among its picturesque hilltop towns is a rich tradition of skin-contact whites and earthy reds waiting to be discovered.

Must try varieties:
Malvazija, Teran, Refošk

Home to some of the most extreme, and extremely beautiful, vineyards in the world, Dalmatia is a wine geeks paradise. It's hot and dry summers give us rich textured reds, mineral whites with gorgeous sea spray salinity, and endless hyper-local varieties to explore.

Must try varieties:
Pošip, Plavac Mali, Tribidrag (aka Zinfandel)

The cooler climate and higher altitudes of the Croatian Uplands is where classic Central European and local varieties come into their own. The wines are exceptionally gastronomic, with intense aromas and crisp acidity.

Must try varieties:
Traminac, Frankovka, Škrlet