Perched on the dramatic slopes of Croatia’s Pelješac Peninsula, Bura-Mrgudić is deeply rooted in the region’s centuries-old winemaking tradition, with family records dating back to 1627. Following decades of mediocre, state-run, socialist winemaking and Croatia’s brutal war of independence in the early 1990s, sibling winemaking duo Mare Mrgudić and Niko Bura launched Bura-Mrgudic literally from scratch with Mare as one of the first female winery owners in post-communist Croatia. This 100% Rukatac, apparently related to Malvasia, is grown on a remote vineyard with red, rocky clay and limestone soils that was until recently, only accessible by donkey. Hand-harvested and destemmed, the wine ferments in open vats with native yeast while macerating on the skins for about a week followed by four months of aging in stainless steel. The result is a golden-colored orange wine with enticing tangerine and floral aromas that offer a prelude to a stunning palate of zesty orange peel, orchard fruit, a dash of bitters and a touch of barnyardy funk with distinct minerality, subtle salinity and light tannins on a firm, dry finish. Pair with fatty fish such as salmon with miso-maple glaze or sliced bell peppers with garlic and pine nut hummus.