Postcard from Coastal Istria
When Decanter writes about Istria, one should read. This is a beautiful story of Poreč (Parenzo), a town that effortlessly blends thousands of years of architectural history with a thriving wine culture.
Mirena’s first encounter with the town was on her 8th grade excursion — while her friends were shopping, she sneaked out on her own to explore the old town to visit the famous Euphrasian Basilica, the early-Christian compound which is the only complete landmark in the world preserved from that period. (This should not be surprising, given that Mirena’s Mom was an art history professor.) Fast forward, and while Mirena and Win have visited the Basilica numerous times, their wine exploration brings them to another important building in Poreč – the Žatika Center, where the annual Vinistra wine fair takes place every second week in May.
Appropriately, we bring you wines from three wineries in the town and nearby at 15% off:
Town of Poreč: Ritoša’s family vineyards and the winery are located right outside of the town, but the family lives right in Poreč, walking distance to the center, and in fact we like to stay in their BnB when we are there. Ana’s Teran is very light and nuanced, while still having Teran’s distinct peppery aroma. Pairs with dark poultry, lean red meats.
Fuškulin: If you are looking for a wine experience nearby, visit the small village of Fuškulin and the Damjanic family’s new winery.
Damjanić Malvasija – a classic coastal expression of Malvasia Istriana with dry, fresh, and harmonious notes and a hint of saltiness and bitterness. Perfect with seafood.
Damjanić Borgonja – this wine is known in other parts of Croatia as Frankovka, or its more commonly known name is from its original Austria – Blaufrankish. Ruby red, intense fruity scent of currant and raspberry, floral scent of violet. Stainless steel only, this wine pairs well with dark poultry or tuna steak.
Damjanić Duro – oaked for 12 months, this blend of Teran and Borgonja has dark cherry notes combined with blackberry, and Teran’s peppery notes. Great choice with all grilled meat or mushroom risotto.
Radovani: Saints Hills Cantina is a newly opened winery and wine hotel in Istria, where one can taste wines from both Istria and their vineyards in Dalmatia.
Saints Hills Mala Nevina 2024 is a new release of straw yellow blend of 70% Malvasia Istriana and 30% Chardonnay. It is aged for months in concrete eggs and wood. This wine is light and dry, with a bit of apricot and buttery notes, as well as pronounced minerality. Pairs great with shellfish, poultry and pasta.
If you are in Istria now, we hope you have great visits to the wineries.
Shipping Special – $19.95 for 6+ bottles, $14.95 for 12+ bottles
*** Summer Temp Control Shipping Protocol in effect ***
Due to high summer temperatures, we are using Temperature Control shipping protocols when appropriate. In some cases, this may delay shipments up to a week,
For some states adjacent to our fulfillment center in Windsor, CA, if in the Temp Control protocol, orders are packed in thermal protection shipping boxes with ice packs, and are shipped normally via FedEx Ground. The ice packs are effective for up to 3 days. These shipments will experience no delay.
For states in Central and Eastern US Regions in the Temp Control Protocol, we are using our own refrigerated trucks from the warehouse in Windsor to regional hubs. (Unfortunately, FedEx does not use refrigerated trucks for cross-country Ground shipments.) These orders are packed in thermal protection shipping boxes and receive their FedEx label and tracking number at the warehouse, but FedEx does not see them and initiate tracking until the order is handed over to FedEx at the regional hub. At the time of the handover, FedEx scans them into their tracking system and tracking is activated. Ice packs are inserted into the orders, and they should be delivered locally in 1-2 days.
Our refrigerated trucks leave Windsor once a week, usually on Fridays. Order submission cutoff for these trucks is noon ET on Thursdays. This protocol results in shipping delays of up to a week. If your shipment is being shipped in this manner, the shipping method at checkout will say “Temp Control to FedEx with ice pack”.
Any orders sent via FedEx 2-Day or Overnight air express (extra charge options that can be selected at checkout) are packed in thermal protection shipping boxes with ice packs, and are shipped normally via FedEx with no delay.
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Our default shipping method is FedEx Ground to most states from our warehouse and fulfillment center in Windsor, California. Orders are typically fulfilled 1-2 business days following the placement of the order, and take 2-7 business days to be delivered, depending on the shipping distance from our fulfillment warehouse in Windsor, California, and whether or not temperature-controlled shipping is used.
We offer 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air as options in some regions for more rapid delivery (check the shipping options dropdown menu when checking out). Extra charges apply.
The list of states to which we ship changes frequently as individual states update their regulations. We currently do NOT ship to the following states:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Mississippi
- Utah
Some states have recently changed their regulations which prevent us from shipping directly ourselves to these states. For these states, we use a third party shipper, who picks up orders once a week on Friday. This can add up to a week of shipping time. Currently these states are:
- Alabama
- Kansas
- Illinois
- Maine
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin