About Us — Wise Grus

The richness of traditional flavour.

Our distillery sits in Ivanovo Polje, not far from Daruvar. In our family, making brandy is a tradition. The old walnut tree beneath which our grandfather once distilled his brandy still stands as a symbol of that heritage.

Remembering those days, and watching today as our mother Milka waters the aquatic hibiscus, cherries, apples and blueberries in that same courtyard with water from the artesian well, we proudly carry on making brandies of rich, authentic flavour.

The foundation of our brandies and liqueurs is real fruit, just ripened, which we source from around Daruvar, Varaždin, Virovitica, Osijek, Vukovar, Lipik, Kordun and Zadar. We guide the production process together with experts from the Faculty of Agriculture.

Our distillery is equipped with the German Müller Aromat distillation system, one of the finest in the world.

The Daruvar region.

This region is known by its Roman name Aquae Balissae — in translation, very powerful springs. Its healing waters treated the Roman legions, and the Roman emperors Hadrian, Commodus and Constantine the Great found refuge here.

Count Janković left a strong mark on the town's history, giving it the name Daruvar. The Janković counts built therapeutic baths upon the geothermal springs.

The Daruvar region is a source of beauty and love. Legend has it that whoever drinks from the Daruvar spring Julius Brum will fall in love. The oldest ginkgo in Croatia grows here too.

From a gladiator emperor and a crane to a celebrated artist, the history of Daruvar has been marked by extraordinary and unexpected tales.

Goran and Dora.

Behind the Wise Grus distillery stand Dora and Goran Kovačić — spouses and founders united by a love of tradition, quality and authentic flavours. Driven by the desire to present homemade brandy in a new, premium guise, they founded a distillery that unites proven recipes, superb ingredients and a contemporary approach to production.

They found their inspiration in the rich heritage of the Daruvar region and in family tradition, creating products that reflect the character of local fruit and a respect for the craft. From the very beginning, the focus has been on quality, carefully selected ingredients and an uncompromising approach to every step of production.

Today, Wise Grus represents a union of tradition and innovation, and every product carries the same idea it all began with — to offer the true richness of traditional flavour.

The Wise Grus Family

Fruit preparation

We select only ripe, healthy fruit. Washing, removing stems and stones, pulping — all for a clean, pure flavour.

Fermentation

Controlled fermentation in stainless-steel vats for clean, natural aromas. Special yeasts preserve the fruit's own notes.

Distillation

The Müller Aromat distillation system captures intense aromas in a single pass through the still.

Maturation

Ageing for at least one year in barrique barrels of Slavonian sessile oak, for fullness and character.