Hedonist Experiences
If you share our passion for wine and tasting, you can join us for a tour of Istria’s wine cellars and indulge in the rich varieties and bouquet of wine!
With over a hundred wineries spread across Istria, the Istrian wine offer is vast and ever expanding, slowly conquering international palates with Istrian Malvazija, Teran, Muscat of Momjan, and Borgonja – indigenous grape varieties of which we Istrians are very proud.
We will organize the wine-tasting tour while keeping in mind to show you family-owned wineries where you can have a certified sommelier as a guide. It is also important to try at least three wines and to pair them with food. In addition to the amazing history of our indigenous grape varieties, a trained sommelier or winery owner will share with you some secrets about the soil, the micro-climate and the pairing of wine with dishes. Visiting a winery is always a pleasure for everyone.
Istria is once again adorned with the title of the highest quality region in the world for extra virgin olive oils (EVOO), for the seventh time running in the winning streak.
With a tradition dating over 2000 years, diligent Istrian farmers have preserved many of the peninsula’s unique olive varieties. Istria’s indigenous cultivars are distinguished by their tolerance of lower temperatures, producing highly aromatic, healthful oils with a higher ratio of favorable fatty acids than those from more southerly Europe and the African continent.
Early Greek and Roman manuscripts praised the quality and the refinement of Istrian olive oil, and the oldest olive tree in Istria, located on Brijuni Island, has been proven to be 1600 years old.
You can join us on truffle hunting tour if you want to have a one-of-a-kind day in the Istrian forest. This unusual, malodorous subterranean fungus of an unattractive form is – the truffle. The rare and expensive tuber that grows in the fertile Istrian soil is the ultimate gastronomic delight. The culinary chefs agree upon one thing only: the truffle should be placed at the very top of the gastronomic delicacies list.
The Istrian white truffle is one of the most highly prized in the world today. Black truffle can be found and hunted all year-round, therefore whenever you decide to visit Istria this type of activity may be arranged. The truffle hunter will take you on a truffle hunting adventure with his specially trained dogs. After that, you can have lunch at a nearby restaurant and try a delicious traditional truffle-based meal.
Are you a passionate gourmet and you would like to know more about Istrian cuisine? You are at the right place, the diversity and harmony of Istrian cuisine ware fascinating.
The coastline of the peninsula is surrounded with clear and clean seawater and for everyone who is in love with fresh sea dishes, this is the perfect place to enjoy some of the most amazing specialties. If you decide to visit central Istria, and have a meal in one of the small, yet famous, taverns, be prepared to taste local dishes that will warm your soul.
The ingredients used in Istrian cuisine are fresh and locally farmed. Our restaurants and taverns provide some of the most delicious meals, celebrating the Mediterranean and the continental part of our culinary tradition. With the change of season, Istrian restaurants and taverns adapt their meals, while keeping in mind the tradition and the respect for ingredients. There is nothing more amazing than the combination of our traditional meals and wines with specialties such as the famous prosciutto, bacon (known as pancetta), cheese, olive oil, seasonal vegetables, frittata (omelette enriched with seasonal food such as asparagus, truffles, prosciutto, sausages or mushrooms), Istrian pastas (fuži, gnocchi, ravioli, pljukanci), Istrian ‘Maneštra’ (delicious hearty vegetable soup), homemade Istrian sausages, ombolo (boneless pork loin) homemade bread and desserts.
In the tradition of the Istrian gastronomy the prosciutto (pršut) is the traditional cured and dried ham and top and the measure for all the exquisiteness. It is cut by long, delicate and careful incisions, so a joke says – like playing a violin. It is typically served as an entrée, thinly sliced, with artisanal bread and cheese.
Since it is not smoked and is processed without the skin, nitrites and nitrates, it is considered one of the most healthful cured meats in all of the Mediterranean. It is then dried in the wind for a few months before being left to mature and ferment for the final six to eight months. The end result of this distinct process is a relatively lean meat with extremely delicate flavor. It should be deep red in color with no discolorations, have a sweet taste, and almost melt in the mouth when thinly sliced. Prosciutto tasting is a truly extraordinary experience for everyone that loves meet delicacies.
Istrian prosciutto is highly regarded by gourmands worldwide due in large part to our strict adherence to a long tradition of respectful production.
