The Toponym, the Platinum & the Kršin Hand
Veralda is the vision of the Visintin family — a lineage of Istrian winegrowers whose winery takes its name not from the family surname — Visintin is too common in Istria — but from the toponym "Veralda" located right next to the wine cellar. The family has been inheriting the tradition of winemaking and viticulture since 1938, and today the estate is led by siblings Luciano and Ketty Visintin, with the support of their parents Nives and Narcizio, Luciano's wife Marina, and their daughter Olga — an educated enologist who represents the next generation. Located on the Kršin estate between Brtonigla and Buje, on the edge of the picturesque hills of Buje and in the vicinity of one of the best Istrian Grand Cru positions, Santa Lucija, Veralda cultivates about 30 hectares of vineyards — all planted on white soil and in organic production. The estate also tends 5 hectares of olive orchards. The family prefers indigenous grape varieties — Istrian Malvasia, Teran, and Refošk — with a little Cabernet Sauvignon. They are present in the market with 14 labels: 3 white, 3 red, 5 sparkling, 2 dessert, and 1 rosé. Veralda is a pioneer of contemporary Istrian winemaking — among the first in the region to craft rosé and sparkling wines from Refosco. Their flagship Xtrian — a 100% Refosco made only in special years from hand-selected grapes — was the first Croatian wine to earn a Platinum medal and the title of Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London in 2016 — a historic moment that catapulted Croatian wine onto the world stage. The philosophy is clear: "Only by maintaining a constant level of superior quality can one ensure survival and a demanding world market."
The Toponym, the Siblings & the Istrian Hand
The Visintin family has been making wine in northern Istria since 1938 — but unlike most Istrian wineries, they did not name their estate after their surname. "Visintin" is too common in Istria, so the family chose instead to name the winery after the toponym "Veralda" — the place name located right next to the wine cellar. This small but significant decision reveals the family's character: modest, place-driven, and deeply rooted in the land rather than the ego. For nearly a century, the Visintins have tended vines on the Kršin estate, passing knowledge from one generation to the next with the quiet patience that defines the best family wineries.
Today, the winery is led by siblings Luciano and Ketty Visintin, with the unwavering support of their parents Nives and Narcizio. Luciano's wife Marina is deeply involved in the business, and their daughter Olga — an educated enologist — represents the next generation, bringing modern scientific training to the family's ancestral knowledge. This is a true family operation in every sense: decisions are made around the family table, harvests are a collective effort, and the tasting room is an extension of the family home. The Visintins believe that only by maintaining a constant level of superior quality can one ensure survival in a demanding world market — a philosophy that has guided them from local recognition to international acclaim.
The guiding philosophy is one of curated terroir expression — a refined interpretation of indigenous varieties that balances tradition with innovation. Each Veralda label is a distinct expression of the white soils of Kršin, shaped by clarity, freshness, and precision. The family does not chase trends; they set them. As pioneers of contemporary Istrian winemaking, they were among the first in the region to craft rosé and sparkling wines from Refosco — a variety traditionally reserved for still reds. This spirit of innovation, combined with an unwavering commitment to organic viticulture, has made Veralda one of the leading high-quality wineries not just in Istria, but in Croatia as a whole. This is not industrial winemaking; it is Istrian viticulture as family excellence.
"Only by maintaining a constant level of superior quality can one ensure survival and a demanding world market."
— Veralda Family
Kršin, the White Soil & the Santa Lucija Hand
Kršin is an estate located between Brtonigla and Buje in northern Istria, Croatia — on the edge of the picturesque hills of Buje, in the vicinity of one of the best Istrian Grand Cru positions, Santa Lucija. The landscape is rolling and verdant, with vineyards stretching across about 30 hectares and 5 hectares of olive orchards adding to the Mediterranean character of the estate. The winery itself is a state-of-the-art facility set among the vines, where every stage of production is meticulously controlled — from vine to bottle — ensuring purity, authenticity, and uncompromising quality.
The soils are the defining feature of Veralda's terroir. Unlike much of Istria, which is famous for red terra rossa, the Veralda vineyards are planted entirely on white soil — a pale, mineral-rich composition of flysch, marl, and limestone that gives the wines their distinctive clarity, freshness, and precision. The white soil reflects sunlight back onto the vines, enhancing photosynthesis and contributing to the luminous, high-toned character of the wines. The proximity to the Adriatic Sea — just a few kilometres to the west — brings cooling maritime breezes that moderate temperatures and preserve natural acidity. The result is a microclimate of warm days, cool nights, and constant mineral tension — ideal for slow, balanced ripening and the development of complex aromatics.
The estate operates under 100% organic production. All 30 hectares of vineyards are farmed without synthetic chemicals, using only natural treatments and sustainable practices. The family prefers indigenous grape varieties — Istrian Malvasia, Teran, and Refošk — with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. The goal is to preserve the authenticity and naturalness of the white-soil terroir, allowing the indigenous varieties to express their true character without chemical interference. Beyond wine, the estate produces extra virgin olive oil with protected designation of origin Istra — a testament to the family's commitment to the full agricultural heritage of the region. For the Visintins, the vineyard is not just a source of grapes; it is a living ecosystem that must be respected, nurtured, and passed on to the next generation.
Kršin is an estate located in the heart of northern Istria's most famous wine-growing region — the hills of Buje that stretch from Buje to Brtonigla. The property sits near the legendary Santa Lucija Grand Cru position, one of the most prized vineyard sites in the entire peninsula. For the Visintin family, Kršin is not just a base; it is the origin of everything. The rolling hills, the white soils, and the proximity to the Adriatic create a terroir of rare clarity and precision. The state-of-the-art winery, set among the vines, is a modern facility that respects the landscape while allowing the family to control every stage of production with meticulous attention.
The Veralda winery is a sophisticated, modern facility set directly among the vineyards of Kršin. Unlike the ancient cellars of some Istrian producers, Veralda's winery is designed for precision and control — a state-of-the-art space where every stage of production, from grape reception to fermentation to ageing to bottling, is meticulously managed. The facility allows the family to maintain the constant level of superior quality that is their guiding principle. The tasting room, overlooking the vineyards, offers guests an immersive journey through wine, nature, and the spirit of the region. This is not a rustic farmhouse winery; it is a contemporary expression of Istrian viticulture at its most refined.
The soils at Veralda are a departure from the famous red terra rossa of southern Istria. Here, the vineyards are planted entirely on white soil — a pale, mineral-rich composition of flysch, marl, and limestone that provides excellent drainage and a distinctive chalky tension. This soil composition is particularly well-suited to the indigenous varieties that the family prefers: Malvasia Istriana, Teran, and Refošk. The white soil reflects sunlight back onto the vines, enhancing photosynthesis and contributing to the luminous, high-toned character of the wines. The low fertility stresses the vines, forcing deep rooting and producing grapes of extraordinary concentration and mineral clarity. This is not the easy soil of the plains; it is the demanding, ancient soil of a place that has been making wine for millennia.
Since the beginning, Veralda has followed organic principles across all 30 hectares of vineyards. No synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts — just hard work, natural treatments, and respect for the ecosystem. The family also tends 5 hectares of olive orchards, producing extra virgin olive oil with protected designation of origin Istra. The olive oil and wine are served together at the estate, paired with Istrian prosciutto, local cheeses, and seasonal dishes. For the Visintins, the farm is a closed system where every element — vine, olive, tree, and human — has its place. The goal is not just to make wine but to preserve the full agricultural heritage of northern Istria for the next generation.
The Pied de Cuve, the New Oak & the Precision Hand
The Veralda winemaking philosophy is rooted in meticulous control, modern oenology, and the belief that only constant superior quality ensures survival in a demanding world market. In the state-of-the-art winery, grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected before vinification. Every stage of production is monitored with scientific precision — from temperature-controlled fermentation to malolactic conversion to ageing and bottling. The family employs both traditional techniques and modern technology to achieve wines of clarity, freshness, and precision that have earned them recognition at the highest levels of the international wine world.
The flagship Xtrian is the wine that made history. Made from 100% Refosco and produced only in special years from the choicest handpicked grapes selected from the finest part of the vineyard at the Veralda location, Xtrian undergoes fermentation with natural yeasts from a previously prepared "pied de cuve" starter, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. It is then aged for a minimum of 12 months in a combination of new and neutral 225L oak barrels — a deliberate choice that adds depth, structure, and vanilla-spice complexity without overwhelming the grape's natural character. The result is a wine of extraordinary complexity and roundness — vibrant, intense ruby red with purple hues, dense and accentuated fruitiness, with notes of ripe cherries and plums in dark chocolate, licorice, red pepper, and dark tobacco.
The sparkling programme is equally innovative. Veralda was among the first in Istria to craft rosé and sparkling wines from Refosco — a bold move that challenged convention and expanded the possibilities of the variety. The Blanc de Noir — a white sparkling wine created from red Refošk grapes — offers a rare and unique experience, with aromas of red apples, strawberries, citrus fruits, and brioche. All wines are made with organic grapes, minimal sulphur, and a commitment to expressing the white-soil terroir of Kršin. The result is a portfolio of 14 labels — 3 white, 3 red, 5 sparkling, 2 dessert, and 1 rosé — each one a curated expression of the Istrian landscape, each one a testament to the family's belief that quality is not an accident but a discipline.
The Xtrian Covenant & the Decanter Moment
The guiding principle of Veralda's cellar is that the best wine is the one that results from meticulous control, superior raw materials, and unwavering patience. The Xtrian — named with a bold, contemporary identity that breaks from traditional Istrian naming conventions — captures this philosophy perfectly. Hand-selected Refosco grapes from the finest parcel of the vineyard are fermented with a pied de cuve starter to ensure healthy, spontaneous fermentation without commercial inoculation. Complete malolactic fermentation softens the wine's acidity and adds creamy complexity. A minimum of 12 months in new and neutral 225L oak barrels develops structure, spice, and integration. And the result — a wine that scored 95/100 and won Platinum Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London in 2016 — was not just a personal triumph for the Visintin family; it was a historic moment for Croatian wine, proving that Istria could produce wines of world-class distinction. The Blanc de Noir, the sparkling rosé, and the full range of 14 labels each carry the same DNA: precision, innovation, and respect for the white soil of Kršin.
Malvasia, Refošk, Teran & the Kršin Hand
The Veralda portfolio spans 14 labels from three indigenous grapes — 3 white, 3 red, 5 sparkling, 2 dessert, and 1 rosé — a comprehensive range that showcases the family's innovative spirit and commitment to indigenous varieties. All wines are made from 100% estate-grown organic grapes on white soil, with meticulous control from vine to bottle. The wines are defined by clarity, freshness, and precision — a distinctive character shaped by the Istrian landscape and the Visintin family's unwavering pursuit of quality. From the historic Xtrian to the pioneering Blanc de Noir, each label is a curated expression of terroir.
The Toponym's Dream, the Platinum & the Kršin Hand
Veralda is not merely a winery; it is a family legacy realised — the story of how the Visintin family, refusing to name their estate after their common surname, built one of the largest and most awarded organic wineries in Istria from a toponym on the Kršin estate, producing the first Croatian wine to win Platinum Best in Show at Decanter. In an era when Croatian wine was defined by volume and convention, the Visintin family demonstrated that the most profound wines sometimes come from 30 hectares of white soil, fermented with natural yeasts from a pied de cuve, aged in new and neutral oak, and bottled with the precision of modern oenology. It is largely thanks to projects like Veralda that Refošk, sparkling rosé from red grapes, and Blanc de Noir now have a place in the global wine conversation. The same estate that began in 1938 has become, through four generations of work, a source of some of the most elegant, innovative, and terroir-driven wines in Croatia — served in the world's finest restaurants and celebrated from London to Tokyo.
The legacy of Veralda is the legacy of the precision hand in Croatian viticulture. The Visintins are not a typical winery family: they are four generations of growers who named their estate after a toponym rather than their surname, who cultivate 30 hectares organically on white soil, who were among the first to make rosé and sparkling wine from Refosco, who built a state-of-the-art winery among the vines, who believe that only constant superior quality ensures survival, and whose Xtrian became the first Croatian wine to win Decanter Platinum Best in Show. They do not chase volume. They do not chase trends. They make 14 labels from three indigenous grapes — 3 white, 3 red, 5 sparkling, 2 dessert, and 1 rosé — each one a curated expression of the Kršin terroir — and they make them with the same discipline and precision that defined their first vintage in 1938. The minimal sulphur is not a compromise; it is a practical minimum that allows the wine to travel without masking its Kršin soul.
The future of the project is tied to the future of organic viticulture and innovative winemaking on the white soils of northern Istria — to the growing recognition that the best wines come not from the biggest cellars but from the most committed guardians of white soil, indigenous varieties, and family tradition. As the Xtrian continues to set the benchmark for Refošk in Croatia, as the Blanc de Noir proves that red grapes can make white sparkling wine of world-class elegance, and as Olga — the next generation — brings her enological training to the family's ancestral knowledge, the Visintin family remains what they have always intended to be: a family who maintains a constant level of superior quality — a family who trusted the white soil, the indigenous grapes, and the toponym next to their cellar, and who built something enduring on the hills between Brtonigla and Buje. The dream is not finished. It is just beginning to age.
"Only by maintaining a constant level of superior quality can one ensure survival and a demanding world market."
— Veralda Family