Badel 1862, Croatia’s premier spirits producer, has made a strategic acquisition of Agrolaguna and Vinarija Novigrad from Fortenova Group, marking a significant milestone in the country’s wine industry. The purchase agreement, signed on March 31, 2025, transforms Badel into Croatia’s largest wine producer with an impressive portfolio spanning all major wine regions. This acquisition aligns perfectly with Badel’s long-term strategy of dominating the premium wine and spirits market while significantly boosting its production capacity. The deal represents a pivotal moment for Croatian winemaking, promising to elevate local brands on the global stage while preserving traditional production methods.
A Game-Changing Deal for Croatian Wine Production
This acquisition represents a transformative moment for Croatia’s wine industry. By acquiring 100% of both Agrolaguna and Vinarija Novigrad from the Zagreb-based food giant Fortenova Group, Badel 1862 has dramatically expanded its footprint in the Croatian wine landscape. Agrolaguna, based in Poreč, is known for its exceptional wine, cheese, and olive oil production that celebrates Istrian culinary traditions.
The numbers tell a compelling story about the scale of this acquisition. Badel’s annual wine production has increased by an impressive 160%, jumping from 2.5 million liters to 6.5 million liters. This dramatic rise places Badel firmly at the top of Croatia’s wine production hierarchy. The company now manages 800 hectares of vineyards across the country, giving it unparalleled resources for quality wine production.
What makes this deal particularly significant is the regional coverage it provides Badel. The company has become the only Croatian wine producer with a portfolio spanning all major wine regions in the country, including both Dalmatia and continental Croatia. For wine enthusiasts interested in exploring Croatian varieties, this comprehensive regional representation offers an exciting opportunity to sample high-quality Croatian red wines from diverse terroirs under a single trusted brand.
This acquisition isn’t merely about increasing volume—it represents a strategic move to strengthen Badel’s position in the premium segment of the market. By incorporating Agrolaguna’s established reputation for quality and tradition, Badel is poised to create more sophisticated offerings that can compete on the international stage.
Leadership Perspectives on the Acquisition
The leadership from both companies has expressed enthusiasm about the deal’s potential. Darko Knez, President of Badel 1862’s Management Board, described the acquisition as “a sensible progression in realizing our growth objectives and a significant boost for domestic production.” His comments highlight Badel’s commitment to leveraging Agrolaguna’s high-quality products and skilled workforce to enhance the combined company’s offerings.
Knez emphasized Badel’s position as “the foremost Croatian producer of spirits and wines,” suggesting that this acquisition is a natural extension of the company’s leadership in the industry. The deal is expected to create synergies that will benefit consumers through an expanded range of premium products that showcase the best of Croatian winemaking traditions.
On the seller’s side, Fab Peruško, CEO of Fortenova Group, expressed confidence that “Badel 1862 is a partner that can ensure the continued growth of Agrolaguna, reinforce its market position and values, and maintain employment.” This statement reflects Fortenova’s careful consideration in finding a buyer who would respect Agrolaguna’s heritage while providing opportunities for future development. Peruško specifically praised Agrolaguna’s success in preserving Istrian heritage and winning international awards for its products.
The acquisition mirrors similar strategic moves in the food and beverage industry, such as when MBI acquired Yogusto, demonstrating how targeted acquisitions can help companies expand into new markets while preserving valuable brand heritage. Both executives appear to see this deal as creating value not just for their companies, but for Croatia’s agricultural sector as a whole.
Agrolaguna’s Rich Heritage and Contributions
Agrolaguna brings a wealth of experience and tradition to Badel 1862. Based in Poreč, this Istrian company has built a reputation for excellence across its diverse portfolio of wines, cheeses, and olive oils. Its products have become ambassadors for Istrian culinary culture, winning numerous international awards and helping to put Croatian agricultural products on the global map.
The winery component of Agrolaguna has been particularly successful in showcasing indigenous Croatian grape varieties. These include the distinctive white Malvazija Istarska and the complex red Teran, both of which have found appreciative audiences among wine connoisseurs worldwide. For those looking to expand their wine horizons, these varieties join other underrated dessert wines to try from Croatia’s diverse wine regions.
Agrolaguna’s cheese production, featuring traditional Istrian hard cheeses, has garnered similar recognition for its authentic production methods and exceptional flavor profiles. The company’s olive oils, produced from locally grown olives, complete a product line that celebrates the Mediterranean diet and Istrian agricultural heritage.
Under Fortenova Group’s stewardship, Agrolaguna had been a significant profit driver, demonstrating the commercial viability of high-quality, tradition-based production. This economic success, combined with its cultural significance, made Agrolaguna an attractive acquisition target for a company like Badel 1862, which values both commercial success and authentic Croatian products.
Fortenova’s Strategic Shift in Focus
For Fortenova Group, this sale represents part of a broader strategic realignment of its business interests. The Zagreb-based food production giant has been gradually reducing its involvement in agricultural ventures to focus more intensively on its core retail and food processing operations. This shift became evident last year when Fortenova sold several agricultural businesses to Podravka, another major Croatian food company.
By divesting Agrolaguna and Vinarija Novigrad, Fortenova continues this strategic consolidation, allowing it to concentrate resources on areas where it sees the greatest potential for growth and profitability. The company’s leadership has indicated that this more focused approach will enable Fortenova to strengthen its position in its remaining business segments.
Despite this divestment, Fortenova has expressed pride in Agrolaguna’s achievements under its ownership. The company has highlighted Agrolaguna’s role in preserving traditional Istrian products while adapting to modern market demands. This balancing act between tradition and innovation has similarities to trends in other food sectors, such as the way Dubai’s chocolate trend has influenced global confectionery by blending traditional techniques with contemporary flavors.
Fortenova’s decision to sell to Badel 1862 specifically indicates a desire to ensure that Agrolaguna’s heritage will be respected and its potential fully realized. By choosing a buyer with deep roots in Croatian beverage production and a commitment to quality, Fortenova appears to have prioritized Agrolaguna’s future development over simply maximizing the immediate financial return from the sale.
The Future of Croatian Wine Under Badel’s Leadership
With this acquisition, Badel 1862 is positioned to lead a new era for Croatian wines both domestically and internationally. The combined resources of Badel, Agrolaguna, and Vinarija Novigrad create unprecedented opportunities for innovation while honoring traditional winemaking methods. Croatian wines have been gaining recognition globally in recent years, and this consolidated approach could accelerate that trend.
The expanded vineyard holdings—now totaling 800 hectares—give Badel access to a diverse range of terroirs and grape varieties. This diversity will allow for more experimental approaches to winemaking while maintaining a strong foundation in Croatia’s viticultural traditions. The company now has the capacity to produce wines at various price points, from accessible everyday options to premium bottles destined for special occasions and serious collectors.
Industry analysts predict that we’ll see new product development that leverages the combined expertise of these established companies. These new offerings might include innovative blends that showcase the unique characteristics of different Croatian wine regions, similar to how chocolate trends from Dubai have been adapted to suit local tastes in regions like Westchester. By highlighting regional distinctions while maintaining consistent quality, Badel can help educate international consumers about Croatia’s diverse wine heritage.
For Croatian wine enthusiasts around the world, this acquisition may help satisfy the demand for a broader range of authentic, high-quality Croatian wines. For those who have visited Croatia and fallen in love with its wines, the increased production capacity could mean better availability in international markets. I’m excited to see what innovative products emerge from this significant industry consolidation that honors Croatia’s rich winemaking traditions while embracing modern techniques and global market opportunities.
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