We import small-production, family-made Croatian wines found nowhere else in the United States — and bring them to Ohio's finest restaurants, bars, and wine shops.
Four wines from two Croatian family wineries, brought directly to Ohio restaurants, wine bars, and specialty retailers.
Request a trade tastingUnable to play here. Open the video in a new tab or read the transcript below.
Give your wine list a story worth sharing. VS Croatian Imports brings wines from two family wineries directly to Ohio restaurants, wine bars, and specialty retailers.
From Trapan in Istria to Brzica above the Danube, each bottle connects your guests with a different side of Croatia. Discover a distinctive white, an expressive Teran, and two rich reds: Cabernet Sauvignon and Rendezvous.
Four wines. Two family wineries. Personal service, right here in Ohio. We'll help your team get to know the wines, and share their stories with your guests.
Request a trade tasting at VS Croatian Imports dot com.
Croatia has been making wine for more than 2,500 years — since the ancient Greeks planted vines on its Dalmatian islands. Centuries of tradition shaped a wine culture as old as France's, yet still virtually unknown on American lists.
Here's a story your guests will love: DNA testing proved that Zinfandel is Croatian. America's beloved grape is genetically identical to Crljenak Kaštelanski (Tribidrag), an ancient variety from the Dalmatian coast. And the legendary Miljenko "Mike" Grgich — whose Chardonnay won the 1976 Judgment of Paris for Napa — learned his craft in Croatia first.
Under communism, family winemaking nearly disappeared into state cooperatives. The past three decades have seen a remarkable renaissance: a new generation replanted the old vineyards and now crafts world-class wines from a rich range of local and regional grape varieties, alongside distinctive expressions of international favorites.
That is what we bring to Ohio: wines with a story no other table in town can tell.
From Istrian Malvazija and Teran to Brzica’s uncommon continental expression of Vranac, these wines bring a distinctive regional story to your list.
Two family estates, distinctive regional varieties, and patient cellar aging. Each wine’s technical profile explains the vineyard and cellar practices behind it.
From ancient Greek vineyards to Zinfandel's Croatian roots, every bottle arrives with a narrative your staff can retell — the kind that turns a pour into an experience.
Croatia spans Mediterranean islands and continental river plains in a country the size of West Virginia. We import from two corners of it — coastal Istria and the Danube's right bank.
The heart-shaped peninsula in Croatia's northwest, famed for terra rossa red soil, olive oil, truffles — and Malvazija and Teran of remarkable minerality.
Croatia's continental northeast produces more wine than any other region. On the loess bluffs above the Danube, reds age slowly in oak and whites stay bright and fresh.
The sun-soaked coast and islands — birthplace of Zinfandel's ancestor Tribidrag and home to bold reds like Plavac Mali.
The cool, green hills around Zagreb, where crisp whites and sparkling wines thrive in an almost Alpine climate.
We work directly with the winemakers. No middlemen, no négociant blends — just two estates whose entire U.S. allocation comes through us.
Bruno Trapan’s estate on Istrian red soil — 12 hectares of vines, distinctive Malvazija and Teran, and a flagship white aged on its lees.
Visit TrapanA family estate on the loess bluffs above the Danube since 2000 — barrel-aged reds released only after four years in the cellar, including rare continental Vranac.
Visit BrzicaFour wines, each with full tasting notes, technical sheets, and pairing guidance for your list. Trade pricing available on request.
Golden in color, with toasted almond, orchard fruit and herbal notes. A broad, textured white with a mineral, saline finish.
A bold Istrian red with dark fruit, earthy spice and a long finish. A distinctive native variety with the structure for rich dishes.
Deep ruby with purple tones. Ripe cherries, black berries and pomegranate meet herbal notes, rounded structure and a lingering finish.
A deep, full red with layered fruit, spice and firm tannins. Cabernet, Merlot and Vranac come together in a balanced, structured blend.
Jennifer and Andrew Babic founded VS Croatian Imports in 2023 to connect Ohio’s hospitality community with Croatia’s family wineries.
After obtaining dual citizenship with Croatia in 2022, the family turned a connection to their Croatian and Slovenian roots into a hands-on wine business.
Owned and led today by Andrew, VS Croatian Imports is a federally permitted importer and licensed Ohio wholesale distributor. We work directly with winemakers and trade customers, offering personal service, staff tastings, and practical guidance for your wine list.
We supply higher-end restaurants, wine bars, and specialty retailers across Ohio — with the materials and support to make Croatian wine sell itself.
We'll pour for your team in person, with tasting sheets, region maps, and the stories that move bottles.
Every wine ships with tasting notes, vinification details, and food pairings ready for your menu and your sommelier.
Small-production wines your competitors can't pour — we are the only U.S. source for our wineries' labels.
You deal with the owners. Flexible case quantities, responsive delivery, and a partner invested in your program.
Tell us about your establishment and whether you'd like a tasting, current pricing, or help choosing wines for your list. Trade accounts only — we do not sell to consumers.
For producers & businesses
Explore importing support, guidance, and coordination for wine and selected other products.
