Croatian wines win 14 golds at Decanter World Wine Awards

by croatiaweek
June 19, 2025
in Food & Wine

(Photo: Decanter World Wine Awards/Press)

Croatian winemakers have once again proven their excellence on the global stage, securing a remarkable 14 gold medals at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the world’s most prestigious and influential wine competition.

This year’s results mark a notable improvement for Croatia, which earned 11 gold medals in 2024. In addition to the golds, an impressive 255 Croatian wines received silver medals, showcasing the depth and diversity of quality across the country’s wine regions.

One of the standout achievements came from Istria’s Benvenuti brothers from Motovun. Their 2021 vintage of the dessert wine San Salvatore was awarded an exceptional 97 points, earning a coveted platinum medal, one of the highest accolades Decanter bestows.

The 2025 edition marked the 22nd year of the Decanter World Wine Awards and was the largest to date. A record 248 wine experts from around the globe participated in judging, including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine, making it the most authoritative panel in the competition’s history.

Among the judges were three Croatian wine experts, further highlighting Croatia’s growing influence in the international wine community.

Croatia’s Gold Medal Winners at Decanter 2025:

• Testament, Plavac Mali – 2018
• Galić, Dalmatian Ego Pošip – 2023
• Vina Bernobić, Malvazija – 2024
• Bruno Ferenac, Malvazija Istarska – 2023
• Fiolić, Maraština – 2020
• Hvar Hills, Merlot – 2022
• Hvar Hills Winery, Syrah – 2022
• Kozlović, Santa Lucia Malvazija – 2018
• Vina Franković, Korona Malvazija – 2019
• Tasovac, GRK Selection – 2023
• Fakin, La Prima Malvazija – 2023
• Zure, Reventón Sur Lie GRK – 2023
• Zure, Quinta Essentia GRK Brut – 2016
• Casa Boschi, Pošip – 2023