Volovina Crvena Wins Gold: Recognition for a Grape Variety Zagorje Almost Forgot

Our rosé Volovina crvena has won gold at the rosé tasting organised by Vinske zvijezde magazine, held at Botanist restaurant in Zagreb. The wine received 93 points out of 100, or four stars, and was named the best in its category.

For us at Vitus, this is a welcome confirmation. But more important than the points is the story behind this label.

A Grape Variety with a Long Journey

Volovina crvena is an old grape variety whose origin most likely leads back to Italy. It was created by crossing the varieties Muška bijeli and Mammolo, a Tuscan grape that has been used in Chianti for centuries.

Even one of its names, the synonym Muscat rouge de Madère, tells a story of travel: from Madeira through France and, eventually, to the old vine pergolas of Zagorje.

Exactly how and when it arrived in north-western Croatia is not known with certainty. What is known is that it took root here and that today, in Hrvatsko Zagorje, only a few vines remain, scattered among old vineyards. That is precisely why it belongs among the grape varieties we decided to bring back into production.

Volovina crvena has several qualities for which it was once valued: a pronounced muscat aroma, relatively early ripening and good vigour, which made it suitable for cultivation on pergolas, known locally as brajde. It was also a dual-purpose variety, used both for wine and as a table grape. A variety that, in its own way, both fed and pleased the household.

The fact that Volovina crvena can still be found today, planted and turned into wine, is thanks to the project dedicated to revitalising the indigenous and locally established grape varieties of Hrvatsko Zagorje.

Through this work, carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Zagreb, varieties such as Volovina crvena were professionally described, catalogued and brought out of collection vineyards back into real vineyards.

Without that step, a wine like this would probably not exist today. A variety disappearing among old brajde cannot find its own way into the cellar and the bottle. Someone has to recognise it, record it, propagate it and patiently return it to its place. This is the part of Vitus that cannot be seen on the label, but without it, there would be no label at all.

Volovina crvena in the Glass

Our Volovina crvena is a dry rosé wine with a refined colour and calm freshness. We made it to retain lightness and drinkability, while still showing what makes the variety distinctive: a discreet muscat note.

With 12.5% alcohol, it is an excellent wine for warmer days and relaxed gatherings.

It pairs best with lighter dishes from Zagorje cuisine: cold platters, local cheeses and the kind of food placed on the table when friends come over. Serve it well chilled.

Why This Recognition Means More Than Points

Volovina crvena is not just another wine in our portfolio. It is proof that work measured in years—planting, waiting, learning the character of a variety that almost no one cultivates anymore—can result in a wine that stands alongside much better-known names.

The score awarded by Vinske zvijezde is recognition for this variety and for everyone who helped bring it back, just as much as it is recognition for us.

We would like to thank Vinske zvijeze magazine and judge Marija Vukelić for recognising our effort. More about the tasting can be found in the latest issue of Vinske zvijezde magazine.