Velebna Winery

Josip Šarić returned to Poličnik, a small village near Zadar, after years spent in Canada, where he found overgrown land that was once forest. However, Josip saw not just wild vegetation but imagined vineyards flourishing on this land—a dream deeply rooted in his heart, passed down from his grandfather. Driven by nostalgia and deep love for his homeland, he began creating the unique winery and vineyards of Velebna. His wine story started long before planting the first vines. After a successful career in energy in Canada, Josip returned to Croatia in the late 1990s. His estate in Poličnik is not just a business venture but the fulfillment of his grandfather’s dreams, who told locals that one day the forest would be his. Although the grandfather never realized this dream, Josip transformed the land into a home for some of the region’s finest wines. Officially, Velebna vineyards have existed since 2017, when the first Chardonnay vines were planted, but Josip’s connection and love for the land have lasted much longer.
Today, Velebna is a family project. His daughter Ivana Zrinka Šarić Ćurko serves as the second director, while oenologist Filip Barjašić and agronomist Tomislav Kulaš help craft the wines. The winery is expanding with the hiring of sales representative Filip Uremović for Europe. Each wine carries a personal touch of this large and close-knit family—from the rosé Gloria dedicated to Josip’s granddaughter, to the current rosé Danica, and the upcoming rosé Zrinka, named after Josip’s wife.
On 11 hectares of land that was once forest, 55,000 vines now grow. The vineyards sit on clay-loam soil with some stone at deeper layers, providing a rich foundation for the vines. Labelled wines include Rosé Danica 2023, Chardonnay 2022, Merlot 2020, and Shiraz 2020. Velebna vineyards and winery symbolize the persistence, passion, and dedication of a family that has renewed its roots and love for the land through wine.