Croatian Winemakers Celebrate Best Grape Harvest in a Decade Across Central and Northwest Regions

Grape harvest season has started in the hilly regions of central and northwest Croatia, and local winemakers are calling it the best in ten years. The Bregovita Hrvatska Winemakers’ Association made the announcement on Tuesday, highlighting strong yields and high-quality grapes across the area.

The first vineyards to begin picking were in Plešivica, a region known for its sparkling wine production. Harvesting there started last week, focusing on grape varieties used as a base for sparkling wines. Nikola Šember of Šember Winery said this year’s conditions have been much better than recent years. He noted that rain and vine diseases did not cause problems, leading to healthy grapes with excellent parameters. Šember expressed optimism that the favorable conditions in the vineyard would continue through the winemaking process.

Organic producers are also reporting positive results. Danijel Šarušić, director of Podrum Mladina, said this is their first harvest with organic certification. After two difficult years spent protecting and maintaining vineyard health, he described this summer’s yield as outstanding in both quantity and quality. Šarušić believes this successful harvest will encourage others involved in organic wine production.

In the northwestern hilly region of Hrvatsko Zagorje, grape pickers began work at the start of the week. Josip Prekratić from Prekratić Vino said that a favorable summer led to higher yields than previous years and good grape quality. He also mentioned improvements at his winery, including a new press and processing line, which he expects will further enhance wine quality.

Elsewhere in central hilly Croatia, preparations are underway as winemakers get ready for their own harvests. David Štampar from Štampar Winery described how his team is sterilizing cellars, cleaning tanks and machines, and mowing grass in the vineyards. He said they plan to start picking grapes in early September.

The positive reports from across these regions suggest that 2025 could be a standout year for Croatian wines from central and northwest areas. Local winemakers are hopeful that the combination of good weather, healthy vines, and improved equipment will result in some of the best wines produced in recent memory.