Kabola Unica Malvazija Istarska 2020

A deeper, more textured side of Malvazija, shaped by old vines, skin contact and time in large oak.

Unica comes from Kabola’s oldest Malvazija vines at Štancija, planted around 35 to 40 years ago. The grapes undergo an unusual vinification: whole bunches remain on their skins for around a week before pressing, giving the wine a subtle phenolic dimension that places it somewhere between a traditional white and an orange wine. It is then aged for approximately one year in large 4,000-litre oak foudres.

The result is considerably broader and more complex than Kabola’s classic Malvazija. Ripe pear, quince and baked apple are joined by dried herbs and almond, with restrained vanilla and caramel notes from the extended maturation. The palate is full and rounded, yet retains freshness, mineral tension and a gentle phenolic grip. Its long, saline finish brings back flavours of butter and bitter almond.

Based in Kanedolo, near Momjan in northwestern Istria, Kabola is the work of the Markežić family, whose winemaking history dates back to 1891. The modern estate was established by Marino Markežić in the early 2000s and now covers around 20 hectares of vineyards at roughly 275 metres above sea level, on the slopes around Štancija and Kanedolo. The soils are predominantly clay and marl, giving the wines a distinctly mineral character and a strong sense of place.

Kabola has farmed organically since 2009 and was among the pioneers of certified organic viticulture in Istria. The estate is also known for its work with indigenous varieties, particularly Malvazija Istarska and Teran, and for pioneering the use of buried Georgian amphorae for some of its wines.