Wine & gastro trip
A four-day journey into Istrian gastronomical offer with gourmet specialties: fish, truffles, pasta, prosciutto, cheese, seafood, asparagus, boškarin (Istrian indigenous cattle), olive oil and fine wines.
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Istrian cuisine will delight you with its diversity and harmony. Based on healthy seafood and soil products prepared with olive oil, spiced with spontaneous vegetation and Mediterranean spices, it sometimes exhibits its Mediterranean side, and sometimes the continental. It is easily adapted to seasons and a number of excellent varieties of wine make it complete. Regardless of the season when you arrive, the art of Istrian cuisine and gastronomy will reveal itself to you strongly and with passion.
Istria was known by the ancient Romans as a royal pantry. Few ingredients and a lot of imagination become gourmet assets such as fish, boškarin and truffles, paired with the globally-known Istrian wines Malvazija, Merlot and olive oils, and you will be equally amazed by the landscape full of hills, fairytale towns, vineyards and olive groves. Come closer to the simple Istrian life philosophy even if you are not a passionate gourmand, and enjoy the carefully prepared Istrian dishes.
Dinner at San Rocco is going to be a culinary experience in one of the best restaurants in Istria and Croatia
Istria is well-known not only for specialties such as fish, white and black truffle, homemade pasta, prosciutto, cheese, seafood, asparagus, boškarin, and olive oil, but for alcoholic beverages as well.
Typical local strong alcoholic beverages in Istria include biska, mistletoe brandy and honey brandy, while wine lovers definitely have to taste white Malvazija and red Teran, indigenous wine varieties, or the well-naturalised Merlot and Muškat. Apart from gastronomical experiences, you will have Istria in the palm of your hand. Idealistic towns with a historical tradition, wonderful inland, romantic churches, Gothic and Baroque villas, middle-age towers and town walls, scenic squares, hills with forts and bell towers.
Brtonigla is a place known for its fertile soil and it offers wonderful landscapes to those who love to relax, take unforgettable walks and enjoy the beauties of the Istrian sea.
Feel inspired by this colourful Istrian town. It offers best from the Istrian inland - lovely hills, rich flora and fauna and the excellently preserved small churches and chapels which testify about the past.
It was mentioned for the first time in the 13th century under the name Ortonegro, deriving from the Roman Hortus niger (Black garden), which probably occurred due to the soil in the area.
Once you get closer to Cavalier, the area outside the Brtonigla centre, a field famous for vineyards, the view spreads over a temperate valley towards the sea and green olive groves to meet the blue sea of Karigrad and Punta. These were the places where, during celebrations, peasants from Brtonigla would come on oxen and would bring their whole families to spend the well-deserved day off.
Visit the chapel dedicated to St. Rocco, the guardian of Brtongila, in the medieval heart of town and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the cobbled streets.
Heritage 4-star Hotel San Rocco, Brtonigla is an ancient family estate, 5 km from the sea. Following the most strict restoration criteria, it was turned into an exclusive tourist complex in 2004, equipped with comfort and the required content that all modern top category European hotels should have. The hotel has 14 double bedrooms without a balcony. They are all equipped with a satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, a vault, mini bar, hair dryer, bathrobe and slippers. Each room is designed individually, and each offers a special atmosphere. The hotel has an outdoor pool, bar by the pool with deck chairs and an inside pool in the wellness centre with Finnish sauna and massage.
San Rocco olive oil is the inevitable ingredient of the offer at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant and it is the main trait of gastronomic delicacies. It is used for culinary purposes at the restaurant and the wine bar-tavern, as well as in the wellness centre for various beauty treatments. San Rocco extra virgin olive oil has been chosen among the best olive oils in the world in the Flos Olei – the most prestigious olive oil guide in the world.
One of the most famous restaurants in the region, Gourmet Restaurant San Rocco, is located today in the premises of the former cellar, where up until recently the family pride has remained in oak barrels, the Istrian Malvasia. As the member of the association Jeunes Restorateurs d’Europe, and listed in the Michelin guide 2017, the restaurant makes the top of Istrian and Croatian gastronomy. The best dishes made from Adriatic fish, truffles, mushrooms and venison are served at the restaurant and it is open every day, except on Mondays.
We also recommend trying out the local truffles. This underground mushroom shaped as a potato called tuber, grows in the Istrian soil and it is considered the top of the regional cuisine. Istria is famous for its top-quality truffles – especially the white truffle which successfully competes against those from the Italian regions of Alba and Piedmont.
Arrive in Istria and check in to the Heritage Boutique Hotel San Rocco in Brtonigla. Nestled on a hill in the northwest part of the Istrian peninsula, Brtonigla is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Relax and unwind as a culinary experience awaits you in the evening at the Gourmet Restaurant San Rocco, a Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe association member. This renowned restaurant offers exquisite dishes made from Adriatic fish, truffles, mushrooms, lamb, and venison, providing an excellent introduction to Istria's philosophy and gastronomical heritage.
At the Kabola cellar, the winner of Luxury Lifestyle Award, you'll experience a professional wine tasting tour; will you let us know which wines were your favorites?
After breakfast, embark on a trip to Rovinj, known as the pearl of the western Istrian coast and the most romantic place in the Mediterranean. The old city center, a cultural monument, is famous for its characteristically built chimneys. Dominating the skyline is the baroque church of Saint Euphemia, with its 60-meter-high tower, a replica of the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Stroll around Carrera Street, Bregovita Street, and Grisia Street, an open-air gallery accessible to both academic artists and amateurs.
For lunch, dine at the renowned restaurant La Puntulina, where you should try the prawns with olive oil and garlic or the Puntulina fish fillet.
Return to Brtonigla and enjoy the hotel's amenities, such as the outdoor pool, poolside bar with deck chairs, or the indoor pool in the wellness center, complete with a Finnish sauna and massage services.
Your lunch at Puntulina, one of the finest restaurants in Rovinj, is also going to be very amusing
Start your day with an à la carte breakfast before heading to the small town of Grožnjan, known as the town of artists. Visual artists have transformed old abandoned houses into residences and studios, fostering a rich artistic tradition. Visual and musical art flourish in this inspiring setting.
Next, visit the wine cellar Kabola near Momjan, situated at 275 meters altitude. From here, enjoy breathtaking views stretching from the Alps and Dolomites to untouched nature and the sea. Take a guided cellar tour and indulge in a professionally guided tasting of five wines, including Istrian Malvasia, Amfora Malvasia, Momjan Muscat, Sparkling Wine RE, Teran, Merlot, or Cabernet. Complement your tasting with cheese, prosciutto, bread, dessert, and olive oil. Kabola Winery was awarded the Luxury Lifestyle Award by Luxury Travel Guide as the best Traditional Wine Maker.
For lunch, visit the tavern Buščina, renowned for its specialties made from boškarin, an indigenous Istrian cattle breed.
After lunch, explore Umag, once a summer residence for Roman nobles. The city’s Venetian houses, parts of the city walls and towers, and the church of Saint Rocco from the 16th century reflect its ancient splendor.
End your day with a visit to Olive Charm on the olive oil road to taste six different types of extra virgin olive oils. Olive Charm has been recognized by Flos Olei, the foremost guide to the best olive oils in the world. Learn about olive oil's cultivation, production, and maintenance processes and sample Istrian cured meats, cheeses, and a glass of homemade wine.
In the evening, dine at Marina Restaurant in Novigrad, just 10 km away (accessible by local transportation). Enjoy an 8-course tasting menu prepared by globally renowned chef Marina Gaši, a Masterchef finalist. Specialties include fresh fish and seasonal ingredients, with wine pairings recommended by an experienced sommelier.
In Novigrad, you'll have an 8-course tasting menu at the Marina restaurant
Enjoy an à la carte breakfast before checking out of the hotel in the morning. If time permits, consider a truffle hunting adventure in the Buzeštine forest. This excursion, available upon request and with personal transportation, can be organized with a guide and his skilled truffle-hunting dogs, offering a unique and memorable experience to conclude your Istrian journey.
We will double-check availability and make reservations for your rooms, restaurants, guides etc.
With reservations confirmed, we will prepare the best offer possible in regard to your arrival date & party size
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