Vino Lovrec

Vino Lovrec is an organic winery in Selnica, a village in Međimurje, the small, hilly region in the far north of Croatia between the Drava and Mura rivers. Međimurje is one of Croatia’s most distinctive wine areas, and a visit to a family estate here is a good way to understand its character.

The region differs from the coastal wine areas in climate and style. Međimurje has a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers, and its low hills, known locally as gorice, are covered in vineyards, small cottages and orchards. The main grapes are white varieties, among them Pinot varieties, Riesling, Šipon, which is the local name for Furmint, and Chardonnay, and the wines tend to be fresh, aromatic and well balanced by acidity. Growers also make sparkling wine and some reds. The region’s wine culture is closely tied to food, with dishes such as the layered cake known as Međimurska gibanica, which is eaten at special occasions, and cooking that relies on cream, cornmeal, pumpkin oil and local meat.

At an organic estate, the focus is on how the grapes are grown. Organic viticulture avoids synthetic chemicals and relies on careful work in the vineyard, such as managing the grass between the rows, pruning for airy canopies and picking by hand. Wine tastings usually explain these methods, and visitors learn how soil, slope and weather shape each wine. Tastings here are by appointment and last an hour or two, and they are given in several languages, including English, German and French. Each wine is presented with a short story of where it was grown and how it was made, and the setting among vines and old trees is peaceful, which makes the experience feel unhurried.

Booking ahead is recommended, since small estates work to a schedule set by the season and cannot receive visitors on demand. Spring, when the vines come into leaf, and September, when the harvest begins, are particularly good times to go.

In the neighbourhood you can add a stop at the Oldtimer muzej Šardi, a museum of historic vehicles, and the wider region offers castles, thermal baths and cycling routes through the villages. A visit to Vino Lovrec suits wine lovers, people interested in sustainable farming and travellers who like small, personal places. If you plan to taste, arrange a driver or accommodation nearby, since distances between villages are best covered without a car.