Rota Vineyard and Winemaking
Rota Vineyard
Mladen Lukšić has never set a foot in a gym. Yet, this 60-something active and cheerful gentleman is somewhat of a trendsetter doing crossfit workouts before they were envogue. In his vineyard on the peninsula of Pelješac, he traverses the 23.5 hectares (58 acres) property, tending to his vines, daily, for hours at a time. He moves up and down the steep slopes, examining the grapes, ensuring the soil is moist, and looking for the signs of grape ripeness. Amidst endless rows and rows of vines, his Rota vineyard and Plavac Mali vines energize this man in a way no gym equipment can. On a sunny day, from the top of the vineyard, he can see the nearby island of Korčula, a birthplace of Marco Polo. And beyond Korčula, he can even see Italy, just 200 kilometers (125 miles) away.
It is not just the physicality of managing a vineyard that energizes him, says Mladen. Being at the top of the Rota hill, the highest point of the Pelješac peninsula, is also a perfect meditation spot. The breeze, the scent of the salt and the sea, and the warm sun makes it one of his favorite places. Every day is filled with both walking and meditating; which keeps Mladen so energized!
After the hours of walking around with some intermittent hilltop mediation, Mladen returns to his home at the bottom of the hill to tend to his daily activities. One of the most important to him is to taste wine. He sees a two-fold benefit with this daily ritual: to ensure the wine and his body are aging properly.
Rota Winemaking
Bernard Kozina, Rota chief winemaker and Mladen's partner, has a wine philosophy best summed up in his signature phrase: 'Let the wine do the talking'. Rota is a culmination of his 3-plus decades of studying and drinking wine. His day job as the head of Institute of Viticulture and Enology of the Zagreb Faculty of Agronomics suits well his life-long passion for wine making. Rota is the culmination of his life-long winemaking opus.
Bernard agrees with Mladen that the "wine is always born in a vineyard". Bernard also adds that the wine cellar is where the knowledge, hard work and creativity helps the wine reach its full potential. The latest in winemaking technology is applied when producing Rota wine. Not only are the grapes some of the finest in Dalmatia, but the vinification process is arguably the best in Dalmatia. For example, the Rota winemaking approach uses the latest malolactic fermentation (MLF) technology that allows the oak to integrate a finesse rather than infuse an overwhelming flavor. The time spent in barrels rounds out its complexity while maintaining its distinct, signature taste. From harvest to bottle, Bernard and the winemakers carefully craft premium and unique Rota wine suited for the distinguished palate.
