Winemakers: Kreso Petrekovic & Niko Dukan
Where: Primošten, Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Size: Negotiant fruit – approx. 50,000 bottles a year
Main Varieties: Babić, Plavina, Débito & Marastina
Viticulture: Ancient vineyards, white stony ground, if any treatments maybe one copper spray
Quick note: Historically the ancient Roman Grand Cru sites, 2000 years of cultivation, Rustic ungrafted vineyards right up to the Adriatic Sea. Artisanal cellar approach
A truly unique winery located on the historic sunbathed vineyards of Primošten, Croatia along the Adriatic coastline. A project started in 2020 by two wine professionals Kreso Petrovic and Niko Dukan. Both with years of experience working with and representing central & eastern European wines all over the world, and of course a specialisation in low-intervention natural wine.
Historically Primošten was a sought-after wine region known for its dense red wines based on the indigenous variety Babić. Today only a small margin of the vineyards are left and still worked upon. The vineyards located along the coastline and in the nearby mountains are all covered by big chalky stones and old bush vines – Hence the name Vinas Mora, which in local dialect means “wine by the sea”. Their top 3 cuvées called Kaamen also reflect this - meaning “stone”. The vineyards have barely ever been treated with anything or even pruned. We almost can’t even call them vineyards, at least in the classic central European grassy style! The age of the vines vary, but some are said to be close to 200 years old. They’re almost as wild as it gets and it’s quite the task to even walk through to the vineyards, but even more difficult to harvest.
In the cellar the vinification is as artisanal as the vineyards. Open top fermentations, focusing on finessing maceration & extraction. Elevage is either in used oak barrels, steel or carbon fibre tanks, varying from 6-12 months depending on the wine. The different cuvées vary from the more easy style blends; Barbba and Andreis, to the 3 different single vineyard cuvées with different exposure and age, Kaamen I, II & III.
Niko & Kreso are doing their best to tell the story of the region, its heritage, its varieties and maybe also what the future holds. The wines are expressive and enticing. Much like their makers, full of energy, ideas, a hint of chaos but amazing company!
