- by croatiaweek
- June 19, 2026
-
in
Food & Wine
(Photo: Decanter World Wine Awards/Press)
Croatia has recorded one of its strongest ever performances at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards 2026, highlighted by a Best in Show award, five Platinum medals and 34 Gold medals.
The results were announced on Wednesday, following one of the most competitive editions to date, with almost 17,000 wines from 58 countries evaluated blind by 245 international wine experts, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers.
The standout achievement for Croatia was a Best in Show distinction awarded to Plavac Mali, marking the country’s first such recognition in over a decade. The wine was named among the top 50 globally, placing Croatia firmly in the highest tier of international wine competition.
In total, Croatian producers secured five Platinum medals, each requiring multiple rounds of blind tastings and scoring at least 97 points. Among the awardees were wines from across the country, including Dalmatia, Istria, the Croatian coast and inland regions.
Istrian producers delivered a strong showing, with wineries such as Benvenuti, Tomaz, Deklić, Matošević and Rossi all contributing to the Gold medal tally, alongside Malvasia-based varietals and other indigenous wines, Dobra hrana writes.
Dalmatian producers also featured strongly, with recognitions for wineries including Zure and Ante Sladić Vino, highlighting the continued international success of native grape varieties such as Plavac Mali, Pošip and Grk.
In the continental regions, notable results included awards for Iločki podrumi, alongside Graševina producers and orange wine styles, which continue to gain recognition on the global stage.
Overall, Croatia submitted more than 400 wines this year, with medals distributed across nearly all wine regions. The 2026 results mark a significant increase compared to the previous year and underline a steady long-term rise in quality and international competitiveness.
(Photo: Decanter World Wine Awards/Press)
Industry observers note that the strong performance reflects ongoing investment in vineyard management, winemaking techniques and a growing focus on indigenous varieties, which are increasingly recognised in global blind tastings.
Croatia’s success at the 2026 awards confirms its expanding reputation on the world wine map, with indigenous varieties and regional diversity playing a central role in its continued rise.
