Vinarija Kusić

Planina 180, 31307 Zmajevac, Croatia

Wines

3 PHOTOS

Winery presentation by Gault&Millau

Blaženka and Pero Kusić arrived on the wine road near Zmajevac in 2002 and found a place among the 78 gators (underground cellars). They renovated it according to the requirements of the conservators in order to obtain the authentic look of the picturesque houses along the street cut between the hills with endless vineyards. Later, they bought a house across from the winery, which they converted into a comfortable guesthouse, bought more land and today their vineyards extend over nine hectares. The varieties of Graševina, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grow on 45.000 vines and the grapes are picked exclusively by hand. About twenty years ago, a winemaker from Brezovica, Slovenia, gave them the cultivar of Gamay, one of the oldest grape varieties, but they had to promise they will not spread it. Gamay was on the White House wine list during Bill Clinton’s term. Kusić wines are drinkable, playful, refreshing and they fully reflect the terroir. You can taste them and buy them in a rustic tasting room where you will get a reklja - a distinctive men’s coat from the region, made of rolled wool, which you should wear when entering the cellar, as the temperatures range from 14 to 18 degrees in both summer and winter.