Recent press for Matosevic: CH4's Sunday Brunch and Ham and High

With Ivica Matosevic heading up our masterclass at Bancroft's Annual Portfolio Tasting last week, it seems he is on fire at the moment when it comes to press and public interest.

Ivica hosting our Eastern Discoveries masterclass last week

Matosevic had five minutes of fame on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch at the beginning of the month and also feautures in Liz Sagues' latest column on emerging regions. Contact us for more info on his wines, and on Simcic's from Slovenia... there's just something a little bit magical about them...

 

Win(e)ding off the beaten track: Matosevic and Simcic in 48 hours

Last week Bancroft's Alex and Neb headed to Croatia and Slovenia with a group of trusty, enthusiastic, wine-trade clients. Over 48 hours they visited our esteemed producers Marjan Simcic and Ivica Matosevic. 

Here's more of what they got up to. Alex Harper reports...

This was a wine trip like no other. It would take us through 3 countries in 48 hours visiting the lesser known premium production regions of Goriska Brda in Slovenia and Istria in Croatia. It was to prove to be a lesson in passion, art, and for our part, endurance as first Marjan, and then Ivica opened their arms and their wine cellars to us with exceptional generosity.

A little Serbo-Croat goes a long way, AKA Neb's Summer Holiday July 2013

0300 is not the time to get up unless there is very good reason....flying to visit Marjan Simcic in Slovenia and Ivica Matosovic in Croatia provided the reason to get out of bed. The only good thing is that you can pack an awful lot into a day like this, especially when you don't turn in until gone four the next morning, but that is getting ahead of ourselves. 

Jancis Robinson includes Ivica Matosevic in her article on independent wine merchants

Jancis has recently written an article on how interesting the independent wine merchants of Britain are (this includes us!). Several of our wines were featured including Ivica Matosevic from Croatia.

Red Squirrel Wines reviews Matosevic's Malvasia Alba

Great review again from Red Squirrel Wines on Youtube - this time for our Croatian Malvasia from Matosevic.

New Croatian wines from Matošević at SITT Autumn and our September Trade Tasting

Bancroft is now the exclusive UK agent for Ivica Matošević, a very highly regarded winemaker in the Istrian region of Croatia. 

Sommelier trip to Slovenia and Croatia - day Two

9 am Monday morning, a few sleepy but smiley faces- we were all still digesting what was an incredible marathon of superb Slovenian food and even better wines. We all had a different favourite Simcic wine from the last night that underlines the sheer quality that runs throughout his range. Joao was impressed with the Opoka Sauvignon, Isa with that ultimate sweetie Leonardo, Colin and Neil could not resist Opoka Merlot, David was drawn in between red and white Teodor and Igor found Chardonnay Selection irresistible. Still we were unanimous that there is no compromise in the quality of Marjan's organic and biodynamic wines. Marjan's unparalleled passion coupled with the great potential of his Collio/Brda terroir help to produce really exceptional wines.

A few double espressos later we were on our way to the neighbouring Istrian Peninsula to visit Croatian star winemaker Ivica Matosevic. Not completely intentionally (we missed the right turn!), our journey lead us through the swathes of unspoilt forests and hills of Slovenia and Croatia. These are the famous hunting grounds full of pheasants, wild boars and deer. Istria is also famous for truffles and if we add oysters and fresh fish from the Adriatic, it is no wonder that this area is fast becoming one of the gastronomic hot spots of Europe.

Slovenia and Croatia Trip in pictures - Part 2 Vina Matosevic, Croatia

Day two of their tasting trip and the team are off to Croatia to visit Vina Matosevic. The photo story is narrated by Neb Gusic, director.

5 hours later and we leave Slovenia.  After a few hours in the car, we are at Matosevic's in Istria, Croatia.

He greets us properly – with the glass of wine.

Slovenia and Croatia Trip in pictures - Part 1 Marjan Simcic, Slovenia

Neb Gusic shares his photos from his memorable trip to Slovenia and Croatia visiting Marjan Simcic and Vina Matosevic with a group of clients.

We arrive at Goriska Brda, Slovenia

Addition of Croatian producer Matošević to the Bancroft portfolio

Bancroft Wines is delighted to announce they are now the exclusive UK agent for Matošević, one of the most highly regarded producers in Croatia.

The domaine is located in the Istria region of Croatia and is run by Ivica Matošević who started up the winery following a chance meeting with a viticulture professor. Ivica quickly became very passionate about wine and his domaine has gone from strength to strength. His first vintage was in 1996.