When we visited Medea in Vodnjan a year ago for the first time, it was hard to identify the winery, as it seemed like an old industrial plant. Today at the same address is a new, modern, wonderfully decorated tasting room with a view of also new hall with small barrels (with a very promising Punta Greca 2015 is aging). The tasting room was decorated by Istrian-Slovenian designer Breda Bizjak.
Medea spent around two million kunas in the construction of the tasting room and hall. The money was very well invested, as each winery needs a showroom. Completely independently of the potential turnover in the tasting room (although it would be logical for large hotels to systematically send guests there), it is important for Medea that the new space establishes it as a very serious, modern winery with an obviously good taste. If you are not a hardcore garage producer, this is a crucial element in the formation of an image of your winery on the market. And this is why it is good the owners of Medea understand this.
The opening of Medea’s tasting room belongs among several smart investments of the year changing the wine façade of Istria. Several months ago a new tasting room was opened by the cult western Istria winemaker Giorgio Clai. In July it was announced Mladen Rožanić will begin construction of a new large winery.
All such investments not only improve the physical appearance of the Istrian wine scene, but make wine an increasingly important segment of the Istrian tourism product. And if envisioned in line with the identity of the winery, they are always worth it. Best proof of this is the magnificent winery of Gianfranco Kozlović. When the winery was completed some five years ago, it was said that Kozlović embarked on an oversized, risky and unnecessary investment. However, this winery played a key role in strengthening the Kozlović brand, which is today maybe the strongest on the Istrian, even Croatian wine market.
In the recently opened Medea tasting room we tried the Punta Greca 2015, aging for two years in small oak barrels. It is most certainly the best Punta Greca so far, which managed to combine the mighty body with nearly gracious elegance, and with accented but ripe tannins, which will maintain its firm structure for fifteen or more years. This excellent wine will be on the market in several months.
For the original and more from Plava Kamenica, click here.
