Istria Wine Cellars: Private Tasting Tour with Lunch & Pickup

4.70

(23 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Malvazija really tastes like when you’re standing right where the grapes grow? That’s how our day started—picked up in Porec by a cheerful guide who somehow remembered everyone’s name within five minutes. The van was cool (thankfully, because Istrian summers don’t mess around), and we rolled past olive groves and those little stone houses that look like they’ve been there forever. First stop: Damjanic Wines. The cellar smelled faintly of wet stone and something sweet—maybe the barrels? We tried five wines, but honestly, I kept going back to the prosciutto and cheese between sips. Our guide explained Teran grapes in this way that made me actually want to listen, which is rare for me.

The drive to the next winery took about half an hour, but it didn’t feel long—maybe because we were all still laughing about someone’s attempt at saying “živjeli” (cheers). At Kozlovic, the family history is everywhere: old photos on the walls, a dog sleeping in the shade outside. We wandered through cool cellars lined with bottles older than me. Tasted more Malvazija Istarska here—lighter than I expected—and got a quick lesson on how olive oil should taste (I failed that test). There were little plates of bread and olive oil, which sounds simple but tasted different out there in the countryside.

By the time we reached Veralda for lunch, I’d lost track of how many wines we’d tried (nine? twelve?). The view from their locanda was all rolling hills and vineyards stretching toward the sea—you know when you try to take a photo but it never looks as good as real life? That. Lunch was homemade pasta with truffles, plus more wine pairings; I’m still thinking about that dessert, some kind of nutty cake with honey. Our guide sat with us like an old friend, telling stories about growing up nearby. It felt less like a tour and more like being invited into someone’s world for a few hours.