Croatina
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The deeply colored, tannic red grape at the heart of Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese.
Croatina is a late-ripening, high-yielding red grape grown primarily in Lombardy and also in Emilia-Romagna. Its wines are high in color and tannin, with red fruit (raspberry) and ripe black cherry aromas. Locally called Bonarda, especially in Oltrepò Pavese, it makes up at least 85% of Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC and 30-45% of Gutturnio DOC, where it is paired with Barbera.
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Open the appOrigin and parentage
Croatina is most likely Italian: VIVC records Italy as its country of origin, and its berry skin color is listed as noir. Its parentage is unknown: both parent fields in its VIVC passport are blank, and no full pedigree is recorded. The passport flags offspring, and WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data lists one, Ruché.
- VIVC prime name: Croatina; VIVC variety number 3251; country of origin: Italy
- Berry skin color: noir
- Parents: none recorded (parentage unknown)
- Offspring: Ruché (VIVC-derived lineage data)
- Grown primarily in Lombardy, and also in Emilia-Romagna
- Known locally as Bonarda, especially in Oltrepò Pavese, but not the same as the Bonarda of Piedmont
- At least 85% of Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC; 30-45% of Gutturnio DOC, alongside Barbera
- Late-ripening and high-yielding
- High in color and tannin
Where It Grows
Croatina is grown primarily in Lombardy, and it is also grown in Emilia-Romagna. It is best known as a blending grape in north-central Italy.
- Main regions: Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna
- Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC lies in Lombardy
- Gutturnio DOC lies in Emilia-Romagna
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Browse the WineShopWine Style and Blending
Croatina makes red wines high in color and tannin, with aromas and flavors of red fruit (raspberry) and ripe black cherry. In Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC, Croatina makes up at least 85% of the wine. In Gutturnio DOC, it accounts for 30-45%, paired with Barbera. It is also used in Colli Piacentini DOC, and alongside Nebbiolo in Piedmont's Bramaterra DOC.
- Aromas and flavors of red fruit (raspberry) and ripe black cherry
- High in color and tannin
- At least 85% in Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC; 30-45% in Gutturnio DOC with Barbera
- Also used in Colli Piacentini DOC, and with Nebbiolo in Bramaterra DOC
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See the ZaltoViticulture
Croatina is a late-ripening, high-yielding vine.
- Late-ripening and high-yielding
Sources and last verified
Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=3251 ; https://italianwinecentral.com/variety/croatina/ ; https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/bonarda-delloltrepo-pavese-doc/ ; https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/gutturnio-doc/ ; https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/bramaterra-doc/ Reference sources: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/red/croatina Last verified 2026-10-27
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See the glassDeeply colored and high in tannin, with aromas and flavors of red fruit (raspberry) and ripe black cherry.
- Used in Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC, Gutturnio DOC, Colli Piacentini DOC, and Bramaterra DOC
- Known locally as Bonarda, especially in Oltrepò Pavese; not the same as the Bonarda of Piedmont
- Blending rules: at least 85% in Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese DOC; 30-45% alongside Barbera in Gutturnio DOC
- Late-ripening, high-yielding variety
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