📍 Plešivica

Plešivica is a small wine zone in Croatia, on hills south-west of Zagreb, around the towns of Jastrebarsko and Samobor. It belongs to the continental part of the country and is part of Central Hilly Croatia.

The zone is known for sparkling wines made by the classic method, as in Champagne: the second fermentation takes place in the bottle itself. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are used for them, the same grapes as in Champagne. After fermentation the wine stays on its lees for a long time, which gives it finesse.

Besides sparkling wines, still white wines are made too. The name "Plešivica" is protected at national level as a Croatian geographical indication.

Plešivica is not far from Zagreb. Croatia divides its vineyards into a continental part, where Plešivica lies, and a coastal one. Viticulture in Croatia began with the ancient Greeks on the islands of Vis, Hvar and Korčula about 2,500 years ago. Inland the climate is continental: winters are cold, summers hot, and there is enough rain for farming. Croatian wine as a whole is very varied: the north-east makes rich fruity whites, and the coast and islands make individual wines from local grapes.