April 11, 2024 – Zagreb the wine capital: taking a closer look at the Croatian capital’s wine credentials.
One of the things I love about Zagreb is its constant ability to surprise. Still somewhat under the radar as a cool European capital, I am constantly finding out new things about my latest home town.
Zagreb the wine capital? A few years ago, I knew relatively little about Croatian wine, beyond Plavac Mali and Posip for Dalmatia, Malvazija and Teran for Istria, and Grasevina, Grasevina, Grasevina for Slavonia.
It took me longer to discover my first association with Zagreb the wine capital – Plesivica, a delicious wine region in Zagreb County, home to Croatia’s best sparkling wines, and a variety of excellent still reds and whites in those rolling hills and several micro-climates. For a wine-tasting day trip experience from the capital, it is hard to beat Plesivica.
And then when I started to investigate things a little further, I was somewhat surprised to learn that Zagreb City has its very own wine road, which was established in 2009 – you can learn more about it here. These include the fabulous Vinarija Jakob, which I recently discovered on the slopes of Medvednica.
The wine bar scene has exploded in recent years, as it has all over Croatia, and the city is now buzzing with a lively wine bar scene which is showcasing the very best of Croatia’s incredible 130 indigenous varieties.
And when it comes to wine festivals… there is always a suprise, as there will be this week, as Zagreb’s latest festival kicks off – a wine festival underground. Zagreb’s favourite Tunnel Gric, underneath part of Upper Town, will be reinvented once more for tourism as Wine & Walk Festival Zagreb Underground – the region’s first underground wine festival – kicks off tomorrow until April 14.
The concept of the Underground project – the first regional festival underground is simple: to create unique moments and connect entertainment lovers throughout the Adria region and beyond. Underground is not just a festival, it is a journey through the diverse world of gastronomy, oenology, music, art and unconventional entertainment. Located underground, we bring you a variety of events with a unique approach, adapted to every taste and age.
Zagreb Underground is just one of several wine festivals which are already established in Zagreb (you can learn more and buy tickets here). The most important of these are:
Vinart Grand Tasting: Located at the impressive Lauba, Vinart Grand Tasting promotes different wine regions and includes a rich programme of workshops and tastings for visitors. It is attended by some of Croatia’s top winemakers.
vino.com: One of the oldest and most important wine events in Croatia, Vino.com brings together the major players of the Croatian wine industry – from growers to distributors – into one room. It is a great opportunity to try new wines, network, and meet some of the characters behind the magic.
PINK DAY festival: Zagreb has its very own rosé wine festival which is now in its 9th year and organised by WOW! (Women on Wine). PINK DAY celebrates rosé wines, extra virgin olive oils, and pink cocktails. Everyone is encouraged to dress at least partially in pink, and there are prizes for the best-designed stands.
BREGfest: A Wine Festival of Croatian Uplands winemakers, Croatia’s new wine region, which includes the wine-growing subregions of Zagorje and Međimurje, Prigorje, and Bilogora, Plešivica, Pokuplje, and Moslavina, first held in 2022.
Salon pjenušavih vina: The sister festival of the Salon of Sparkling Wines in Ljubljana had its premiere in Zagreb in 2017. Zagreb has an eclectic wine festival scene thanks to the growing number of sparkling wines produced in Croatia and the significant increase in their quality and consumption.
So the next time you find yourself in the Croatian capital as a wine-lover, take a closer look – this is a wine city full of surprises.
