Forty years have passed since Davor Zdjelarević, together with his wife Višnja, laid the foundations of the winery in Brodski Stupnik. Alongside the winery they planted vineyards in several stages, totalling almost 40 hectares, built a hotel and opened a restaurant. In 2014 the family decided to sell the estate and open a new chapter in wine. Wishing to create new wines but without vineyards of his own, Davor launched the concept of a diffuse winery in cooperation with other winemakers. The grapes, he explains, are processed in partner cellars under his supervision. The result is a series of wines from different wine regions under the Z.W.S. – Zdjelarević Wine Selection brand.
The gathering marking 40 years of the Zdjelarević family’s winemaking, on the terrace of the Zagreb wine bar Karijola, began with a spritzer from a can. Then came the young wines of the ZWS line: Graševina, Pinot Gris, Rhine Riesling and Chardonnay. They are fresh and of pronounced varietal typicity. The Graševina Gold 2023 is a good choice for lovers of off-dry wines, while the reds Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 and Merlot 2019 rounded off the ZWS line. New to the range is the Piwi – Organic Wine line. He launched it in cooperation with the organic winery Čresno in order to promote wines from interspecific hybrids resistant to fungal diseases. Presented were Cabernet Sauvignier, Solaris, Muscaris and Cabernet Cortis from the 2024 vintage. Solaris made the best impression.
Afterwards, two new wines from the elite Nagual line were served. The Nagual Grand Cuvée Blanc 2020 is a blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Muscat that took considerable courage, since two of the three varieties are aromatic and that is truly difficult to marry. The wine is very complex, rich and beautifully balanced, yet gives the impression that time is on its side and that its best days are still to come. The Nagual Grand Cuvée Rouge 2020 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Nadin. The wine is opulent, powerful and elegant, with layered aromas of a fruity character alongside piquant, spicy notes. The tannins are plentiful and ripe. A wine that will surely keep improving over the next decade or so.
The celebration of the great anniversary concluded with sparkling wines. The first was the Blanc de Blancs Classic, in full form, and the last to be served was the legendary Millennium Vintage 2000, which spent an astonishing 18 years on the lees.
Photographs: Julio Frangen
8 June 2025
