Kozlović Santa Lucia Malvazija

The Santa Lucia vineyard sits at approximately 240 meters elevation in West Istria, Croatia. Its soils are classified as Terra Bianca, a distinctive white soil composed of flysch, limestone, and white clay. This combination drives high natural acidity and aromatic precision in the resulting wines. The Mediterranean climate delivers dry, hot summers and mild winters, while cold evening air funneled down from the Alps slows ripening and preserves freshness. Adriatic breezes add a further cooling influence, making the site ideal for growing Malvazija Istriana at the quality level this wine demands.

• Elevation: approximately 240 meters above sea level
• Terra Bianca soils: flysch, limestone, and white clay
• Mediterranean climate moderated by Alpine cold air and Adriatic breezes
• Slow ripening conditions preserve acidity and aromatic complexity

Santa Lucia Malvazija is made entirely from Malvazija Istriana, the signature white grape of the Istrian peninsula. The vines in this vineyard are up to 70 years old, delivering naturally low yields and intensely concentrated fruit. Old-vine material of this age is rare in Istria, and it gives the wine a depth and textural complexity that younger plantings cannot replicate. All grapes are hand-harvested, reflecting the care that defines Kozlović's approach to this single-vineyard bottling.

• 100% Malvazija Istriana (Malvasia Istriana)
• Vines up to 70 years old within the Santa Lucia vineyard
• Hand-harvested to ensure only the finest fruit enters the winery
• Old vines produce lower yields and greater concentration

The winemaking approach at Kozlović is deliberate and unhurried. After harvest, grapes undergo 5 to 6 days of cold maceration, extracting texture, phenolic structure, and aromatic complexity before fermentation. The wine then spends 6 months aging in 30-hectoliter acacia oak barrels, which contribute subtle spice and integration without overwhelming the grape's character. A further 6 months in stainless steel tank follows, preserving freshness and focus. The wine is then bottle-aged for 3 full years before release, giving it an aging trajectory that extends 10 years or more from harvest.

• 5-6 days cold maceration prior to fermentation
• 6 months aging in 30hL acacia oak barrels
• 6 months in stainless steel tanks for freshness retention
• 3 years bottle aging before commercial release; aging potential 10+ years

The Kozlović family winery has been operating since 1904, making it one of the longest-standing wine estates in Istria. Generations of accumulated knowledge about the region's soils, climate, and grape varieties underpin every wine the estate produces. The Santa Lucia Malvazija represents the pinnacle of that heritage, a wine made in tiny quantities, from ancient vines, released only when it is ready. The estate's consistent commitment to quality has earned international recognition, including a Silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2020.

• Kozlović winery established 1904; one of Istria's oldest family estates
• Santa Lucia is the winery's benchmark single-vineyard bottling
• Silver medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 2020
• Only 1,000 bottles produced per vintage