Ceremonial presentation of the Vitus winer and hotel
On Friday, 26 June 2026, friends, partners, associates, customers, representatives of public life and many of those who have, in different ways, been connected to the journey that led to Vitus as it is today gathered in Mirkovec, near Sveti Križ Začretje. It was the official presentation of the Vitus winery, hotel and wines, but also a moment in which it could be clearly felt that this story belongs to much more than one building, one label or one evening.
That day, Vitus stepped into a new chapter. After years of work in the vineyards, cellar, nursery, research and preservation of almost forgotten grape varieties of Hrvatsko Zagorje, guests were presented with a whole that brings together wine, place and people. The winery, archive cellar, hotel, tasting room, estate and surrounding landscape are not conceived as separate elements, but as a natural continuation of the same idea: to bring the authentic wines of this region back into contemporary life.
The evening began with a tour of the estate. In smaller groups, guests visited the winery, archive cellar and hotel, getting to know the space from the inside, in the places where wine is made, matured and patiently awaits its moment at the table. It was a quieter, almost intimate beginning to the event before the formal programme, because Vitus is best understood precisely in that way: by walking through the space, looking at the cellars, vineyards, rooms and the landscape that holds it all together.
The formal part of the evening brought together speakers who each spoke about the importance of the project from their own perspective. The Prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County, Željko Kolar, highlighted the significance of Vitus for the tourism and wine offer of Hrvatsko Zagorje, especially in the context of indigenous grape varieties that make this region recognisable. At a time when more and more guests are seeking something they cannot taste just anywhere, the old grape varieties of Zagorje are among the most valuable assets the region has.
The crowning achievement of many years of work on the revitalisation of indigenous grape varieties of the Croatian Zagorje region
Darko Bratković, owner and director of Trgocentar, spoke of Vitus as the crown of many years of work, but also of the responsibility towards the people who have built their knowledge, time and belief into this project. Because Vitus did not come into being overnight. Behind this evening are years of decisions, attempts, expert work, investment and patience. Behind it are employees, associates, family, professionals and all those who recognised that something new, serious and long-term could be built from old grape varieties.
A special place in this story belongs to the collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb and Prof. Dr. Edi Maletić, who recalled the early beginnings of the work on finding, preserving and returning old indigenous varieties to the vineyards. Varieties that were once almost forgotten, and at times too easily dismissed, are today finding their place again. Not only as part of heritage, but as living wines that can be tasted, understood and offered to the market.
This is precisely where the importance of Vitus lies. This is not only a story about a beautiful space, a new winery or a hotel. It is a story about the fact that Hrvatsko Zagorje has its own wine identity, its own varieties, its own name and its own reason to be recognised as a serious wine region. Belina starohrvatska, Volovina crvena, Modra kosovina, Dišeća ranina and other varieties are not merely curiosities from the past. They are a foundation on which the future of Zagorje winemaking can be built.
90 points for Albuelis sparkling wine
After the formal speeches, the presentation and tasting of wines followed, led by Mladen Kantoci, the oenologist of Vitus and Trgocentar. The tasting began with Albuelis sparkling wine, which recently won a silver medal and 90 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards. This result is especially meaningful to us because Albuelis is made from indigenous grape varieties of Hrvatsko Zagorje, Belina starohrvatska and Dišeća ranina, and shows that wines from this region can stand proudly alongside serious wines on the international stage.
After Albuelis, guests tasted Volovina crvena, Belina starohrvatska, Modra kosovina and Belina Cuvée. Each of these labels carries a different part of the same story: about varieties that were long present in Zagorje vineyards, about work in the cellar, about patience and about the effort to translate local character into the glass in a contemporary, clean and recognisable way.
As the evening went on, the formal tone naturally gave way to gathering and conversation. With food, live music and many glasses raised, the space around the winery and hotel was filled with something that cannot be planned to the last detail: encounters, laughter, toasts and the feeling that an important moment had taken place. The gathering continued late into the night, exactly as such evenings should end – among people who came to support the story, and to become part of it.
That is why this presentation was not only a celebration of the end of one phase for us. It was a sincere thank you.
Thank you to everyone who came and shared this evening with us. Thank you to our partners, associates, customers, friends, representatives of institutions, the media and everyone who recognised the value of what we are building. Thank you to all those who have been part of this journey over the years, whether through work in the vineyard, cellar, nursery, design, construction, consulting, research, support or simply through the belief that the old grape varieties of Zagorje deserve a new opportunity.
A new chapter for Vitus Winery
Today, Vitus stands as a place where wine, knowledge, work and landscape meet. As a winery that preserves indigenous varieties, without keeping them locked in the past. As a hotel and estate that will bring guests closer to Zagorje through wine, calm, nature and a stay in the very place from which those wines come. As a project that shows that a local story can be developed seriously, in a contemporary way, and with respect for its own roots.
The presentation in Mirkovec was one of those moments in which it becomes clear how many people it takes for an idea to mature. And how important it is, once that idea finally takes shape, to pause, give thanks and raise a glass to everyone who helped carry it.
Vitus continues forward. With wines that speak of Zagorje, with an estate opening itself to guests, and with the belief that almost forgotten grape varieties can once again become one of the most recognisable signs of this region.
Check out the gallery for photos of this special day for Vitus winery!
