Grbac

Nowhere else in Istria is it possible to find a better terroir for producing these precious bubbles than in the area around Vrh. Why? Here grapes are grown on the steep slopes north of Butoniga Lake where plenty of sun, warm days and chilly nights and white clay/limestone soil are responsible for outstanding aromatics and minerality. Made by old-school winemaker Adriano Grbac in a traditional way that is a variant of the classical (champenoise) method. There is a white sparkling wine made from Istrian Malvasia, a rose one made from Teran, and a rarity – a red one, also made from Teran. Adriano’s bubbles en rose is surely the sexiest wine in Istria. Try it with strawberries, when they are in season, with the right person and you’ll be in paradise. All Adriano’s bubbles are stellar but number of bottles is so low you have to come to Vrh to taste it.

To arrive to Vrh you need to take a vertiginous road that can be very scary for inexperienced or tipsy driver. Stunning view of Motovun and Butoniga lake.