Carić Niko Kako Jo
Winery: Carić
Classification: Chillable red wine
Varietals: 80% Plavac Mali, 20% Darnekuša
Appellation: Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia
Density & Yield: 7000 vines/ha; 0,5 kg/vine
Annual Production: 1,300 bottles
Alcohol: 11.5%
Climate: Mediterranean, with dry and hot summers, and mild winters
Terrain: Hilly area in the center of the island, surroundings of Vrisnik and Svirče villages, known for the deep layers of sand that gives good quality for Plavac Mali wines. Darnekuša comes form higher altitude vineyards of Hvarske plaže, where it grows on rocky, well drained soil. This indigenous grape is grown only on Hvar island and in very small quantities.
Farming: No irrigation, minimal amount of spraying in Spring and mid-Summer months. Harvest happens in the beginning of September.
Vinification: Hand-harvest at the same day for both varietals. Skin contact for 24 hours in stainless steel tanks, overlaps with the start of the fermentation under temperature control. The wine is kept in stainless steel for 6 month and than bottled.
Notes: A super fun red from Dalmatia and one unlike we have ever seen before. The name of the wine comes from a verse of poem written by a friend: a nikô sômo guštô kakȍ jõ.
In Croatian’s literal translation it reads - “Nobody (no one) like me” - indicating the uniqueness of the wine, but a more applicable English translation comes to “Enjoy it like I do”. Niko Kako Jo(nee-koh Kah-koh Yo) works as a double-entendre for the uniqueness of this chillable island blend with the rare, high-elevation grape Darnekusa, as well as tapping into the laid back island lifestyle, of having a wine of simple enjoyment.
A direct press Plavac Mali, combined with the eccentric Darnekuša grape, is electric ruby in the glass, while the nose jumps out with fruity aromas such as pomegranate, raspberry and bing cherry and on the palate it is packed with juicy bright red fruits wrapped with minerality and a soft tannins.
Definitely chill this red! Great on its own, but an epic match with meaty or smoked seafood, like smoked tuna or tuna steak, sardines, or blue fish.
Winery Information
Vina Carić
The island of Hvar is home to a rich winemaking history and mix of indigenous grapes, thanks to its location in the center of the Adriatic sea as an important stop on trade routes throughout Mediterranean history. Dating back to the 4th century to the ancient Greeks, Hvar has maintained a culture of winegrowing that has perpetuated to modern times, where the Carić family looks to follow in the footsteps of the island’s history.
Ivo Carić founded the winery in 1993, in the small village of Svirče in the heart of the island. Joined in 2011 by his wife Ivana, and nephew Ljubo, today they all work together running the small island winery. Ivana remains very active in the Hvar winemaking community, serving as the president of the Hvar Winemakers Association for 12 years, and spearheading the Viticulture Collection in Pitve, illuminating the rich history of the islands winemaking.