World Class Wines From Croatia and EASTERN EUROPE
This brand new company (GA licensed in April, 2019) is the first in Georgia to focus primarily on world-class wines from CROATIA and EASTERN EUROPE! "Croatia" you say to yourself.......??? WELL, when's the last time you heard of a country that has actively been producing wines for over 2,500 years? What other country boasts over 1,000 islands and 1,100 miles of drop-dead gorgeous coastline running N-S along the Adriatic Sea?? Is there any other Mediterranean country that claims nearly every climate type for producing the widest choice of grapes with over 130 varietals!! (answer is 'no')
It's been a little over 20 years since CROATIA fought and suffered greatly in the Balkan Wars.....and then endeavored to rebuild its economy with the resurgence of their number 1 agricultural product, GRAPES. The production of Croatian wines is truly a family affair. There are hundreds of registered wineries throughout the four vast Wine Regions in the country. Without exception, each are run by families who have been tending to their vineyards for centuries.
"Croatia has been producing wine for over 2,500 years!"
It was during these rebuilding years that I first visited Croatia in 2009 in search of my father's family. Signs of the war were still everywhere. I had just a few old family pictures from which I pieced together a very intricate puzzle as to where my father's village was located. I was determined to find my family, and to let them know that they had cousins living in the United States. I'm happy to say that it was a successful and life-changing adventure for me.
This journey also led to my surprising discovery of Croatia's vast selection of fabulous wines offered as I traveled through Istria, Zagreb, some of the magnificent islands and then down to Split and Dubrovnik. Each area was stunningly beautiful and proudly produced some of the nicest local wines I've ever enjoyed! AND THEN, not to be able to find them anywhere in Atlanta!! Really??
It didn't take long for me to figure out that this is exactly what I wanted to do....to create a unique wine distribution company that would bring these wines (which are available in select cities outside of Georgia) to the Atlanta region! GRBINICH WINES is located in Peachtree Corners where we have our offices, temperature controlled warehouse and a beautiful tasting room.
-Margo.............."ZIVJELI"....."CHEERS"
Margo Grbinich-Hunt
Margo's family is from Croatia and Hungary, and her career Army father led her to be born and raised in Germany during her first ten years. Upon graduating from Florida State University Margo moved to ATLANTA where she married and raised her family. The retail industry and then the pharmaceutical field became her intensive line of work. She was the co-founder of a specialized home infusion therapy and nursing services company that grew to be highly successful and respected throughout the southeastern United States.
Upon selling the company in 2000, Margo and her husband intensified their love of adventure though boating and traveling the world. It was during this time that she found her father's family in Croatia and visited his village of Donja Kupcina located southwest of Zagreb. A repeat visit to her family's village and all through the beautiful country of Croatia gave birth to the idea of creating a wine distributorship in Georgia where others could experience the world-class wines being produced there.
When Margo was asked what her next project might be........her answer was 'to build a playground on her grandfather's land and that it be dedicated to her grandparents' who indeed loved Croatia, but loved America even more.
CLICK HERE to read the story about Margo and Grbinich Wines published in ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES.