St. Martin's Day in Croatian Zagorje: Wine Traditions and Customs
St. Martin’s Day holds a special place in the wine-growing traditions of Croatian Zagorje. Discover the origins of this celebration, the symbolic baptism of must and the customs that have brought generations together around young wine.
What Is Grape Must and How Is It Made? From Grapes to Young Wine
Grape must is the starting point of winemaking: the naturally sweet juice of freshly harvested grapes that is transformed into wine through fermentation. But what exactly does grape must contain, how is it produced, and what happens before it becomes young wine?
What Happens in the Vineyard After Harvest?
What happens to grapevines after harvest? Discover how the vineyard changes in autumn, how vines build reserves and gradually enter winter dormancy.
Oak barrels or stainless steel: how ageing shapes a wine
Why are some wines aged in oak barrels while others remain in stainless steel tanks? We look at the key differences and explain why Modra kosovina and Belina svetokriška spend around six months ageing in French oak at the Vitus winery.
When Harvest Comes Early: The 2026 Grape Harvest at Vitus
This year’s grape harvest at Vitus Winery began somewhat earlier than usual. A hot summer accelerated ripening, while each of Croatian Zagorje’s indigenous grape varieties once again required its own carefully chosen moment for harvest.
Zagorje Is Wine: A New Shared Identity for the Region's Wine Story
Vitus Winery hosted the presentation of “Zagorje Is Wine”, a new shared identity aimed at strengthening Zagorje’s position as a distinctive wine region.
Albuelis sparkling wine won 90 points and a silver medal at Decanter 2026!
Albuelis is a brut sparkling wine by Vitus, made from Belina starohrvatska and Dišeća ranina, awarded 90 points and a silver medal at Decanter 2026.
Belina svetokriška - Rare Croatian White Wine
Belina svetokriška is an indigenous Croatian grape found only in Sveti Križ Začretje. Discover Vitus Winery's new white wine - fresh, elegant, wood-aged.
The Cellar Beneath the Manor: What Happens to Wine While It Waits
Beneath an 1888 manor house lies the archive cellar of Vitus Winery. How ageing changes wine, and an early word on guided cellar tours.
The Evening Vitus Stepped Into a New Chapter
On Friday, 26 June 2026, the Vitus winery, accommodation and wines were presented in Mirkovec. The evening brought together friends, partners, associates and guests to mark a new chapter in the story of the indigenous grape varieties of Hrvatsko Zagorje, the wine, the place and the people who have been building this project over the years.
The Place Where Vitus Stands: A Manor, a Curia, and the Story of One Estate
Vitus winery and hotel stand on a former manorial estate in Mirkovec, Croatia. The story of a restored curia, a neighbouring Baroque manor, and the place itself.
Volovina Crvena Wins Gold: Recognition for a Grape Variety Zagorje Almost Forgot
Vitus rosé Volovina crvena won gold at the Vinske zvijezde magazine tasting with 93 points. A story of an old grape variety returning to Zagorje vineyards.
A Behind-the-Scenes Tour and a Tasting of Indigenous Hrvatsko Zagorje Grape Varieties
As part of the diWine project, we welcomed journalists and wine enthusiasts and introduced them to our production, the people behind Vitus, and the indigenous grape varieties we are bringing back to the vineyards and modern wine culture of Hrvatsko Zagorje.
The Return of Old Grape Varieties
54 identified varieties, one almost-lost vine, and a project that returned Zagorje viticulture to the wine map. The story of the revitalisation of indigenous grape varieties of Hrvatsko zagorje.
What Grows Around the Winery: The Story of a Park Coming Back to Life
An arboretum is taking shape around Vitus Winery, building on the century-old trees of the former manor park and the natural woodland-edge habitat. It is a story about the trees we found here, the species we are planting and an environment shaped by working with the character of the site rather than against it.
The Variety That Survived in a Single Vine
It was once among the most important red wine varieties of northwestern Croatia. Then it almost disappeared. A single vine in an old vineyard near Zlatar marked the beginning of its return. The story of Modra kosovina.
Harvest in the Vineyards of Vitus Winery
What does the harvest of indigenous Zagorje grape varieties look like? From Belina starohrvatska to Modra kosovina, take a look behind the scenes of the harvest in the vineyards of Vitus winery in Hrvatsko zagorje.
