Wines by Gianna Kozlović, Marko Rossi, Piero Licul from Fuhtar winery, Tim Withfield from Clai winery, Dominik Anđelini, Lari Juričić, Matteo Poletti, Kevin Mušković from DeFratta winery, Katarina Benazić, Sanjin Pilat, Lucija Deklić and Sajmon Valenta were available for tasting at the 32nd Vinistra in Poreč, at the wine bar located in the central part of the Žatika hall. This is a new generation of Istrian winemakers who grew up in vineyards and cellars and are now taking over established family wineries.
The idea of forming Gen V was born last year, and in recent months serious work has been done to bring together the younger generation within Vinistra. These are people in their twenties and thirties representing a new wave of the Istrian wine scene. They are children of winemakers, actively working in family wineries and fully dedicated to the craft, said Gianna Kozlović, president of the newest Vinistra branch.
They presented their own wines, either personally created or developed with their involvement. The name was chosen around the letter “V”, standing for wine and Vinistra. Most belong to Generation Z and aim to show that wine is not just a tradition they inherit, but something they want to develop and shape further. This year’s Vinistra also brought great results for the Spanish winery Bodega Rossneu, whose Malvasia Blanc 2025 was awarded Best in Show at the World of Malvasia tasting held ahead of the 32nd edition of Vinistra.
“We are pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is great, there are many visitors, and there is strong interest in our award-winning Malvasia. Everyone wants to taste it,” said representatives of Bodega Rossneu. The wine is reportedly made from the grape locally known as dubrovačka malvazija. It was aged on lees for four to five months, pale yellow in colour with golden reflections, offering elegant and aromatic notes of rose petals, citrus fruit and delicate apricot. The palate is fresh and lively, with a long finish, pairing well with seafood and light pasta dishes.
Another gold medal and 93 points at the World of Malvasia went to the new Istrian winery DeFratta. The name means “from Frata,” the part of Tar where the Mušković family lives. They planted their first vineyard of 2.5 hectares in 2022 in Rogovići above the Mirna valley, at 145 metres above sea level. Around 70% of the vineyard is planted with Malvasia, the rest with Teran, Merlot and Yellow Muscat. The 2025 Malvasia is the first wine produced from these vineyards. They also lease an old vineyard, so father Denis and son Kevin, a third-year agronomy student, now cultivate four hectares with plans to expand to ten.
The first harvest was in 2024 from an older vineyard of 1.5 hectares, while the wine from the new vineyard came with the 2025 harvest and immediately won gold. Their portfolio also includes Malvasia Eterna from selected late-harvest grapes, a Merlot-Teran blend from 2025, Teran Forte from 2024, as well as a light Rosé Amoroso and semi-sweet Yellow Muscat.