Croatia's Istria and Zagorje boost local wine and tourism

The Roxanich Winery & Design Hotel in Motovun, Istria, showcases a new generation of Croatian winemaking that combines natural‑wine production, minimal cellar intervention and a boutique hotel designed by architect Idis Turato. Visitors can tour the underground cellar, enjoy dog‑friendly accommodation and dine on local Istrian cuisine that highlights seasonal ingredients.

In the inland Zagorje region, vintners are reviving autochthonous grape varieties as the core of a new wine‑identity strategy. Investment in modern technology, skilled enologists and wine tourism infrastructure is raising the quality of the region’s wines, especially sparkling styles, and positioning Zagorje’s indigenous grapes as a distinctive market asset.