Country - Croatia

Region - Dalmatia

Grape Varieties - 70% Plavac Mali, 10% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah

Alcohol by volume - 13%

Bottle - 75cl

The beautiful Croatian island of Brač is famous for its white stone, which is known locally as Stina and was the inspiration behind the name of this stunning collection of Jako Vino wines. The Stina project was founded in 2009 when Jako Andabak invested in a cellar along the waterfront in Bol. After much renovation, he designed a contemporary cellar perfect for production and tastings. Simultaneous investment was made in the vineyards, which are planted with local varieties such as Pošip and Vugava. Although grape vines have been cultivated on the island for centuries - the vineyard at Stipančić dates back to the 15th century - most needed either replanting or restoring to return them to their former glory. Winemaker Rikard Petric showcases these glorious indigenous varieties in a collection of fruit focused wines, full of Croatian charm.

The vines are cultivated in the Vinograd Stipančić, a breathtaking vineyard of steep, terraced slopes ranging from 250 to 400 metres above sea level, with stunning views overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The indigenous Plavac Mali variety is a late-ripening, lowyielding varietal renowned for its small, dark blue berries and profound connection to Brač's terroir. The vineyard's microclimate is influenced by cooling sea breezes and windy, sun-drenched days which are juxtaposed with cool nights, creating significant diurnal temperature shifts. These contrasting temperature fluctuations promote extended ripening, resulting in concentrated flavours and varietal character while preserving essential acidity. The vines are dry farmed in these ancient plots with rocky, limestone soils. Meticulous management includes precise pruning to ensure low yields and thus higher quality fruit, 50% was hand-harvested, at night during the cooler temperatures, to retain freshness and vibrancy in the fruit.

2024 was characterised by a warm and dry growing season with high summer temperatures, which were mitigated by the vineyard’s coastal location. These conditions led to a successful harvest of healthy grapes. The native vines showed good resilience to the high temperatures, producing balanced wines with wonderful freshness.

The grapes underwent careful selection in the cellar, to ensure the top-quality fruit was vinified, as Plavec Mali as a variety can ripen unevenly within bunches. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wine’s purity and freshness, with gentle extraction techniques to ensure the desired level of colour, flavour and refined tannins were captured. The synergy of Plavac Mali with international varieties added an extra dimension of vibrancy and freshness. The wine was carefully blended and matured to ensure the varietal characteristics along with the nuances from the terroir shone through.

An enticing fusion of ripe dark berries, plum, and elegantly intertwined subtle notes of spice. Well-structured on the palate, with silky tannins, harmonious balance and a touch of spice echoed on the long finish.