Vrbnik is a coastal town on top of a 50-meter-high sea cliff. For centuries the townspeople of Vrbnik have watched wave after wave break against the massive cliff and turn into sparkling white seafoam. 

So when the local PZ Vrbnik (Agricultural cooperative Vrbnik) was looking for the perfect name for their new sparkling wine, they decided on Valomet, as it is the local name for rocks that violently turn sea waves into seafoam. 

‍How Does “Regular” Wine Become Sparkling Wine?

The wine base of Valomet Brut Natur is obtained from one of the most coveted wines in the whole of Croatia ― Vrbnička Žlahtina, white wine derived from a grape indigenous to the Kvarner region and the most dominant grape variety on the island of Krk. To transform Vrbnička Žlahtina into Valomet, PZ Vrbnik uses the traditional secondary fermentation method in the bottle itself. The process is time-consuming and requires a lot of effort and care. The wine has to mature in the bottle for at least 20 months. Each bottle has to be manually rotated so that the yeast residue ends up in the neck of the bottle. 

The sparkling wine has a gentle, refreshing taste, crystal clear coloring, and is imbued with playful bubbles. There is also Valomet Extra Brut, which has a rosé for its base. 

Valomet isn’t the only luxury sparkling wine produced that way; the same method is used to manufacture the world-renowned champagne Dom Pérignon.

‍Double Fermentation Under the Sea

Morski Valomet is a particular batch of Valomet that ferments ― under the clear blue sea around Vrbnik! It is unique in that aspect, as no other sparkling wine in the world shares its fermentation environment!

The effort and intricacies of the second fermentation inspired PZ Vrbnik to sink a few bottles below the sea in the first place. The maturing of sparkling wine can be tricky, as it is susceptible to environmental changes. 

Marinko Vladić, an oenologist of PZ Vrbnik, had a crazy idea: he thought of an environment nearby, an environment so still, so peaceful, dark, and cold, perfect for the maturing of Valomet ― the bottom of the sea. Fans of Morski Valomet like to say that, while other wines are under the patronage of Bacchus only, Morski Valomet has the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, on his side, too.

‍A Dive for the Prize

The first bottles were lowered in 2006, and after the experiment rewarded their bravery with exceptional sparkling wine, a portion of the Valomet bottles regularly ended up under sea level for the duration of their maturing time. The exact location of this underwater cellar is kept a secret, but it is known that it rests around 30 meters below sea level, and the average time a bottle spends under the sea is about five years. Every year they dive out around 200 bottles, so the combination of its story and the sheer scarcity of Morski Valomet makes it one of the most exclusive sparkling wines you can get in Croatia! Its quality is undisputable: just this year, Morski Valomet won the Bronze medal at the Decanter 2022.

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A Wine Bottle Decorated by the Ocean

Morski Valomet distinguishes itself from other sparkling wines on the market not just by the exotic location of its fermentation: its bottle is also a work of art! Or, more precisely, a result of nature ― the extended visit to the marine ecosystem has changed its appearance, as sea creatures often attach themselves to the glass and make it their home. As a result, the bottle is usually adorned with seashells and other underwater flora and fauna provided by mother nature. That way, it doubles as a souvenir that you can proudly display in your home after you’re done enjoying the bottle’s contents. 

You can buy Valomet from the PZ Vrbnik via the webshop, but you can also find it in better-equipped liquor stores, or you can get Morski Valomet directly from the PZ Vrbnik.

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