Family businesses on average make it to the second generation about 30% of the time and only 10% make it to the third.  Family businesses that are over 100 years old, well, that is almost unheard of. But then, you haven’t met the Bibich family. Bibich Winery has been making wine in the village of Plastovo, located in the coastal town of Skradin, Croatia, since 1482. The winery first started producing wine primarily for family consumption. Today, the winery is owned and run by Alen Bibich, one of the most sought-after winemakers in all of Croatia, who has put Skradin on the global wine map.

A visit to Bibich Winery is always on my to-do list while traveling to Croatia (see my story from February). 2019 was no different. A few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to see Alen’s, now grown, children working alongside him and his wife, Vesna (an incredibly talented Chef trained in molecular gastronomy). Together Alen and Vesna offer thoughtful, creative, as well as artistic wine and food pairings that make every wine tasting an otherworldly experience. This is truly becoming a family affair.

Alen’s 20-year-old son, Filip, is studying International Business at the Zagreb, Croatia campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology, and during breaks from school, he works at the winery and runs the family’s wine bar (Ambasada by Bibich, in the main town of Skradin). Alen’s 17-year-old daughter, Karla, is enrolled in the prestigious hospitality management school Les Roches Marbella in Spain and will start classes in September. In the meantime, she runs the tasting room with such skill and grace. She is a natural.

Filip is already following in his father’s footsteps. As a personal side-project, he planted his own vineyard of Debit vines earlier this year: “I have been learning about winemaking my whole life. So, I thought it was time for me to try to create something on my own and see where it takes me.” In 2018, he produced his first gin and even made his first rosé: “I made my first rosé, but it wasn’t very good.” Of course, I had to ask what was wrong with it, to which Filip responded: “It was too dark and didn’t taste very good, because I made it without any intervention or additives, in an attempt to produce a natural wine.” Knowing Filip, I am certain he will keep on trying until he is satisfied with the result. Filip will be graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2021, at which point, he will look to join the family business full-time.

As if making world-class wines was not enough, a few years back, the Bibich’s decided to take on an entirely new and completely different project altogether. They set out to renovate and “reinvent” two rundown houses located in their Bas de Bas vineyard. After 3 years of construction and design work, overseen by Vesna, the two formerly rundown houses are now spectacular villas which offer stunning vineyard views and a very relaxing time to those worldly travelers looking for something special. Both villas are available for vacation rentals, photo-shoots, and private events from March through September. The single room villa is perfect for a couple’s retreat. The double room villa features two bedrooms, perfect for a family.  The master bedroom showcases a queen size bed, while the second bedroom offers two twin beds. Each villa provides wi-fi, a full kitchen and dining room, private terrace and a Zen garden. There is a shared in-ground swimming pool and sunbathing deck at your disposal.   Did I mention the 360° panoramic vineyard views?  To see for yourself, check out the link below.  Moreover, the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea are only a few minutes’ drive away…

For booking, please click here before I move in!

I truly admire the Bibich family’s entrepreneurship. Each visit inspires me and further ignites my own passion for the beautiful art of wine.  Being so fortunate to know this remarkable family, I learned that they do not rest on their laurels and they always continue to surprise me.  So, what’s next?  Maybe a wine bar in Marbella, Spain? Stay tuned!

Živjeli!

Anna,

(Villa photos are courtesy of Bibich Winery)