Sure, Croatia has over 1200 islands and a crystal-clear sea that is cleaner than the water in your glass.  However, did you know that Croatia is also home to culinary geniuses and an estimated 120 indigenous grape varietals? There are 4 main Croatian wine regions: Croatian Uplands, Dalmatia, Istria and Kvarner, and Slavonia and Croatian Danube; 16 sub-regions and 66 appellations, producing wines exhibiting an array of styles from unique terroirs.

Zadar is the oldest city on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and traces its origins back to the 9th century B.C. Zadar was ruled by the Roman Empire, Venice, Turkey, France, Austria, and Italy. Today, the fortified city is an acclaimed UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. And what a world heritage it is! Given its cultural influences, Mediterranean climate, tradition and proximity to the sea, Zadar is known for its unique food and wine scene. A young generation of Chefs has taken over and is cooking up some remarkable specialties with a modern twist.

Three of Zadar’s top Chefs took over Felidia’s kitchen (Lidia Bastianich’s famed NYC restaurant) last week to showcase regional specialties in a refined 9-courses dinner paired with delicious local wines by Fiolić Winery and Kraljevski Vinogradi:

Chef Damir Stojiljković of Restaurant Kornat, with a wealth of Italian culinary knowledge, has been cooking up a storm at Kornat since 2015. Upon graduating from Tourism-Hospitality Management School, Damir traveled to Rome, Italy to learn innovative culinary arts with Chef Fabrizio Boca at his school, Ocucò.  The Art Deco vibe of Kornat, overlooking the sea and the city’s old port, allows you to relax and enjoy the seasonal menu crafted from locally sourced seafood and meat. Also check out the extensive wine cellar. Click here to reserve your ocean view table.

Chef Saša Began has been the head Chef at the Michelin Guide recommended Foša Restaurant for nearly 12 years, an exclusive seafood restaurant located in the port of Foša near Zadar’s ‘Kopnena Vrata’ (The Landward Gate). Prior to taking over the kitchen at Foša Restaurant, Saša graduated from culinary school and worked his way up the ladder on international cruise ships and local restaurants. Saša is now serving up Dalmatian and Mediterranean dishes from locally sourced seafood and organically grown vegetables in a beautiful setting overlooking the island of Ugljan. The restaurant offers a choice of three tasting menus or ‘à la carte’ along with a carefully curated wine list of 120 Croatian wine references and classic regions such as Champagne and Burgundy. Click here to explore and reserve your next culinary experience while in Zadar.

Chef Ivan Turković of Kaštel Restaurant located in Bastion Hotel, a Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel, built on the remains of a 13th century Venetian medieval fortification that had once surrounded the ancient town of Zadar. Chef Ivan built his career from the ground up. He worked with locally renowned Croatian Chefs to learn the craft of fine dining and landed his first Chef position at the tender age of 18, running the kitchen of Vila Lika, located in the oldest and largest national park of Croatia, Plitvice Lakes National Park. Since 2017, Ivan has been wowing guests at Kaštel Restaurant with elegant dishes inspired by local, old recipes: “It is a cuisine steeped in a rich heritage but constantly reinterpreted to make it modern and creative. I strive for the ideal food and wine pairing to create deep emotions,” said Ivan. Delicious and decadent it is! Book your table here, I promise you’ll enjoy every bite.

Fiolić Winery (Vina I Likeri Fiolić), established in 2006, is an ‘urban winery’ owned and run by négociants brothers, Mario and Dario Fiolić. The duo purchase grapes sourced from local growers and craft their outstanding wines in their facility located in Puntamika, Zadar’s resort area. In 2016, they started selling wine commercially, but solely in local restaurants. Fiolić produces wine mostly from the indigenous white varietals, Maraština and Malvazija; and red wine from indigenous Plavina and international varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache. The Fiolić brothers have won several gold medals for their carefully crafted liqueurs made from local sour cherries (aka. Maraška) and figs. Stop in and taste through their incredible portfolio at their newly opened tasting room. Click here for contact information and book your next visit.

Kraljevski Vinogradi (aka. The ‘Royal Vineyards’) is located on the sunny slopes of Petrćane and Punta Skala just outside of Zadar and has been in the region since 1066, belonging to the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV who donated the vineyards to the Benedictine Monastery St. Mary of Zadar. Today, the winery and vineyards are managed by Zoran Pantalon and his team of enologist. The focus is small production, high-quality wines crafted with indigenous varietals only: Pošip, an authentic white Dalmatian grape; Plavac Mali (red), a cross between Crljenak and Dobričić; and last but not least, Crljenak (red), an ancient Croatian variety sharing the same DNA as the American Zinfandel and Italian, Primitivo.

In addition to being amazing, world-class wines, another shared characteristic jumped at me while I was tasting them: Salinity. The proximity of these vineyards to the Adriatic Sea produces wine with incredible freshness and saline acidity which I love. To find Kraljevski wines in the US, please contact the importer: Blue Ice US.

Zadar is also known for its stunning sunset. After all, Alfred Hitchcock once proclaimed: “The sunset in Zadar is the most beautiful in the world.” All I can say to this is: See for yourself!

Živjeli!

Anna

(Wine map, courtesy of Vina Croatia)