While the global wine scene increasingly seeks authenticity, origin and story, Kvarner is building its success on these very foundations. The results of this year's Decanter World Wine Awards 2026, the most influential and prestigious wine evaluation in the world, have once again confirmed that one of the most exciting wine stories in Europe is taking place on the eastern coast of the Adriatic.
Kvarner winemakers won as many as 14 medals, which represents one of the strongest international results of the region to date. Even more importantly, the wines awarded are dominated by indigenous Kvarner varieties – Žlahtina, Sansigot and Debejan – wines that have today become the trademark of the region and a powerful tool for its tourist, gastronomic and economic development.
These results are not a coincidence. They are the result of many years of investment in quality, knowledge, common presence on the market and the creation of a regional wine identity through the activities of the Kvarner Wines association.
DECANTER 2026 – 14 MEDALS FOR KVARNER
SILVER MEDALS
* Immolation of Žlahtina 2024. – Katunar Estate Winery (91 points)
* Žlahtina 2025. – Vina Mandić (90 points)
* Sansigot 2021. – Ivan Katunar Wine House (90 points)
* Kurykta Reserve 2023. (Sansigot, Debejan) – Katunar Estate Winery (90 points)
* Chapter 2017. – Šipun Winery (90 points)
BRONZE MEDALS
* Saint Lucia Žlahtina 2025. – Katunar Estate Winery (88 points)
* Golden Vrbnik Žlahtina 2025. – Agricultural Cooperative Vrbnik (88 points)
* San Marino Brut 2024. – Pavlomir Wine House (88 points)
* KvarNero Sansigot 2022. – Ivan Katunar Wine House (88 points)
* Rosé 2025. – Pavlomir Wine House (88 points)
* Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022. – Gospoja (88 points)
* Muscat 2025. – Vina Mandić (87 points)
* Malvasia 2025. – Vina Mandić (87 points)
* Žlahtina 2025. – Pavlomir Wine House (86 points)
These 14 medals confirm that Kvarner is no longer the wine region of the future. Today, Kvarner is one of the most successful Croatian wine regions, whose wines regularly win awards at the most relevant world competitions.
On behalf of the Kvarner Wines association, we extend our sincere congratulations to all our members, but also to all Croatian winemakers who, with their work, knowledge and dedication, build the reputation of Croatian winemaking every day. Special congratulations go to all the winners of the Best in Show titles, platinum and gold medals, because each of their successes contributes to positioning Croatia among the most exciting wine countries in Europe.
At the same time, we would like to thank all the producers who participated in the Kvarner International Wine Festival - Wineri and the Kvarner International Wine & Spirit Competition - Kvarner Trophy, which in recent years has established itself as one of the most relevant and professional wine competitions in Croatia.
MOST SUCCESSFUL MEMBERS OF KVARNER WINES IN 2026.
Pavlomir Wine House – 27 medals during the year
Few Croatian wineries can boast the continuity that Pavlomir has achieved in recent years. A total of 27 medals won during the year confirm the strength of this Novalja-based wine house.
The following particularly stood out at the Kvarner Trophy:
* Ružica Vinodola Suhi – gold and category champion
* Sparkling wine 1288 – gold
* Chardonnay – gold
* Žlahtina Zinc – gold
* Graševina – gold
With three medals at Decanter, Pavlomir confirms its status as one of the leading producers on the Croatian coast.
House of wine Ivan Katunar
Ivan Katunar House of Wine is among the leaders in the new valorization of Sansigot, a variety that year after year attracts increasing interest from wine experts.
The most significant results at the Kvarner Trophy:
* St. John 2019 – Diamond Medal
* Sansigot 2021 – gold
* Merlot 2022 – gold
* Rosé 2025 – gold
* Grappa Barrique – gold
* Fig tree – gold
An additional recognition is the title of Winemaker of the Year on the island of Krk, which is awarded by the Bukaleta Association.
Vina Mandić
Mandić wines have achieved one of the most successful seasons on the Croatian wine scene.
Žlahtina 2025 won:
* title of champion of white wines in Nadine
* title of overall champion of Belica Kastav
* gold at the Kvarner Trophy
* silver at Decanter
The following were additionally awarded at the Kvarner Trophy:
* Malvasia Barrique 2024 – gold
* Rosé 2025 – gold
* Muscat Yellow 2025 – silver
* Malvasia 2025 – silver
Agricultural Cooperative Vrbnik
Vrbnička Žlahtina continues to confirm its status as one of the most important Croatian wine brands.
The most important recognitions:
* Vinistra champion in the Žlahtina category
* gold at Sabatini
* gold at the Wine Trophy
* gold at the Gudovački fair
* gold at the Kastav Region Wine Festival
* bronze at Decanter
Katunar Estate Winery
Katunar Estate Winery once again confirmed the international competitiveness of its labels.
The most important recognitions:
* Imolata Žlahtina 2024 – silver Decanter
* Kurykta Riserva – silver Decanter
* Sveta Lucia Žlahtina 2025 – bronze Decanter
* Saint Lucia Žlahtina – gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Šipun Winery
Šipun is among the producers who prove that Kvarner can create great and long-lasting red wines.
* Chapter 2017 – silver medal at Decanter
Gospoja
Gospoja continued to achieve success both on the international and domestic stage.
The most important results:
* Sveta Nedija – diamond medal at the Kvarner Trophy (95.25 points)
* Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – gold at the Kvarner Trophy and bronze at Decanter
* Gospoja sparkling wine – silver medal at the Kvarner Trophy
* Žlahtina Gospoja – silver medal at the Kvarner Trophy
Plovanic Wines
One of the most interesting wine stories of the Kastav region.
NERA
* best rated wine in Kvarner at Vinistra 2026.
* best rated red wine of the Kastav Region Wine Festival 2026.
* Vincekova champion 2026.
* MoslaVina gold medal
* silver medal at the Kvarner Wine Trophy
MALMAZIA
* silver Vinistra – World of Malvasia
* gold of the Kvarner Wine Trophy
* gold of the Kastav Region Wine Festival
Kapić Winery
Kapić Winery has become one of the most important promoters of Kastafska Belica.
Kastafska Belica 2025.
* Kvarner Trophy diamond medal
* champion of Belica
* Vinistra silver medal
* MoslaVina gold medal
Parona Malvasia 2025.
* Kvarner Trophy gold
* Vinistra silver
AUTOCHTHONOUS VARIETIES LEAD THE KVARNER WINE RENAISSANCE
In a time when the global market demands originality, Kvarner possesses what cannot be copied – its own varieties, its own terroir and its own wine culture.
Žlahtina, Sansigot, Kastafska Belica and Debejan are becoming symbols of the region just as strongly as gastronomy, the sea and the Kvarner landscapes are symbols of Kvarner's tourist identity.
When Žlahtina wins championship titles, Sansigot medals at Decanter, Kastafska Belica diamond medals, and Kvarner sparkling wines win international expert commissions, then we are no longer talking about potential but about confirmed excellence.
STRONG INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR KVARNER WINERY
This year's success gains even more importance because the Winemakers' Cooperative - Kvarner Wine Production Organization received support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of Croatia for a joint performance at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Thanks to this support, Kvarner winemakers were financed for the costs of participating in Decanter, as well as marketing activities related to the promotion of Kvarner wines on the domestic and international markets.
We would like to express our special gratitude to the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and the Kvarner Tourist Board, who systematically support the development of viticulture and winemaking throughout the year.
It is important to point out that the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County is actively working on increasing the area under vineyards, identifying new viticultural locations, and implementing strategic projects such as creating a marketing strategy for the development of viticulture and viticulture, multispectral imaging of vineyard areas with drones, and creating a new Agriculture Development Strategy for the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.
STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF KVARNER WINES
The president of Kvarner Wines, Egle Katunar, pointed out that the results confirm that Kvarner today occupies an important place on the wine map of Croatia and Europe.
“"I am proud of the Kvarner winemakers, the medals we have won and the community we have built through Kvarner Wines. These awards confirm the quality of our wines, but also the dedicated work of the winegrowers and winemakers who invest knowledge, effort and love into every vine and every bottle every day.".
I would like to sincerely congratulate all the awarded winemakers from Kvarner, but also all the Croatian winemakers who, with their successes, promote Croatia as a country of top quality wine.
I am especially proud to have the honor of managing Kvarner Wines in the year when Kvarner is the European Region of Gastronomy. The results we are celebrating today confirm that our association is going in the right direction, that the projects we are developing are recognized and that we are jointly building a strong identity of the Kvarner wine region.
We have big challenges ahead of us, but even bigger opportunities through the projects Žlahtina Kvarner Wines Queen, Kvarner Wines Route and the international promotion of our autochthonous varieties. I believe that the best years of Kvarner winemaking are yet to come."”
PROUDLY IN THE TOURIST SEASON
Ahead of us is the season in which Kvarner, as the first and only Croatian European region of gastronomy, will have the opportunity to show the world the best it has to offer – authentic gastronomy, top-quality wines and a unique Mediterranean lifestyle.
Today, Kvarner wines are not just an agricultural product. They are part of the destination's identity, part of the tourist experience, and one of the region's most important ambassadors.
These medals are not just recognition for individual wineries. They are confirmation of the quality of the entire wine region, the work of generations of winegrowers, and the shared vision of developing Kvarner as one of the most important wine and gastronomic destinations in Croatia.
Kvarner has proven once again: great wines are created on great terroirs, and a great wine region is created by the unity of its winemakers.
KVARNER WINES
Together we are building the most recognizable wine story of the Croatian Adriatic.
Please find space in your media to publish information about the awards won and institutional support. If you need additional information, feel free to contact us at +385917639776 / vina.kvarnera@gmail.com.
With respect,
Kvarner Wines Media Team
