Described by the late Steven Spurrier as “Croatia’s best winemaker”, Ivica Matošević has established himself as a force of nature in the country’s turbulent yet burgeoning wine industry. “My grandfather was born in Austria, my father was born in Italy, I was born in Yugoslavia and my daughter was born in Croatia. We were all born in the same house” says Ivica, recounting the last 100 years of his family history. Spirited by the emergence of the Istrian wine scene, which followed the fall of Yugoslavia in the early ‘90s, and driven by an unbridled passion, Ivica Matošević diverted his career from a PhD in agriculture to winemaking. This passion is reflected in his wines, which are exuberant, fresh, and true to their nature, as well as in what he has achieved for the reputation of Croatian wine. Widely recognised among his peers as one of the leaders of Croatia’s quality wine revolution, he was instrumental in establishing the Istrian appellation.
Ivica has also played a large role in championing Croatia’s native grape variety, Malvazija Istarska (Malvasia Istriana), coaxing out its complex herbal, mineral and slightly bitter almond characteristics. This is particularly evident in the ‘Alba’, which is fermented in stainless steel with no skin contact. The result is a fresh expression of the variety, with a rounded palate achieved from ageing for several months on its fine lees.
