Intrepid Wines

• An independent UK wine importer championing family-owned wineries and native grape varieties across Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria. Founded by winemaker Henry Clark-Jones, Intrepid exists to reveal a more adventurous side of European wine. The company works with sustainable, family-run producers, helping drinkers discover wines that are refreshingly different from the mainstream.

– Ferdinand Winery is a family-run estate in Slovenia’s Goriška Brda region, near the Italian border, led by winemaker Matjaž Četrtič. The winery focuses on the native Rebula grape, producing refined white and orange wines alongside some sumptuous reds. Vineyards are planted on steep marl slopes between the Alps and Adriatic, where warm days and cool nights help preserve freshness and structure. Ferdinand combines local tradition with modern precision, producing wines with clarity, texture and a strong sense of place for modern drinkers.

– Fakin Winery is a family-run estate in Croatia’s Istria region, based beneath the historic hill town of Motovun. Led by Marko and Bety Fakin alongside Marko’s father Elio, the winery has become one of the region’s leading producers. The family farms 40 hectares of vineyards, focusing on indigenous varieties including Istrian Malvasia, Teran and Muscat. Their award-winning wines reflect the character of Istria, while the family also operates a restaurant centred on seasonal local ingredients and truffles.