Plešivica
Cool continental
The hills south-west of Zagreb, Croatia's home of traditional-method sparkling wine and cool-climate whites.
Overview
About Plešivica
Plešivica is in the hills around Jastrebarsko, less than an hour's drive from Zagreb, in Croatia's continental wine country. It is often described as the country's most exciting region and its main centre for sparkling wine made by the traditional method, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and local varieties such as Plavec Žuti, Veltlinac Crveni and Portugizac.
Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown here, and the character of the wines is cool-climate and fresh, with high acidity. The hills are lined with small family cellars, and it is an easy day trip from Zagreb by car or by tour.
Plešivica is marked on the map.
Croatia
Shaded: Zagrebacka. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Cool continental
Cool and continental, with warm summers and cold winters, and enough rain through the year for the grapes to keep their acidity. Vineyards on the hillsides are planted on south-facing slopes for extra ripeness.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Hillside soils of marl, clay and limestone on the slopes of the Plešivica hills, which give the wines a fresh, mineral edge.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Croatian wine is classified by geographical origin, and Plešivica is a defined wine district in Croatia's continental region.
Plešivica PDO
The protected designation for wine from the district, including sparkling wine.