Pilato Malvazija Istarska (Malvasia Istriana) 2016

Malvazija Istarska (aka Malvasia Istriana) is an indigenous grape to Istria, Croatia and its region of cultivation. The variety accounts for 80% of total white wine production in Istria. The Malvazija vines grow in ‘rust’ red terra rossa soil over a layer of limestone rock on a slightly elevated plain at 200m above sea level. The average age of the vines is around 20 years.

The climate is ideal for producing wines with a full expression of fruit. Hot summers with rain throughout the year keep the landscape verdant even in the height of summer as there are frequent thunder storms There is rarely snow in the winter, which are generally mild to cold as the Adriatic Sea stabilises the climate of coastal regions.

After harvesting, the Malvazija grapes are pressed immediately before spending around 10 days fermenting in stainless steel open fermenters at an average temperature of 15°C. The wine then matures in large stainless steel vats for about 7-8 months before bottling the following April or May.