June 17, 2021 - As part of the Kaštela Creative Spring, a Wine and Gastro Week was held in which the label of excellence, True Kaštela Crljenak, was awarded.

The label is primarily intended for labeling high-quality wines produced from the Kaštela Crljenak variety. The label is awarded to wine producers who have production areas in the area of the town of Kaštela and who are entered in the Register of Grape and Wine Producers, reports Dalmacija Danas. 

The initiative to design the label of excellence came from Kaštela winemakers and was supported by Mayor Denis Ivanovic and the Tourist Board. In the Bedalov tasting room, an award ceremony of excellence was held for Kaštela winemakers, and eleven of them carried the label of excellence. Namely, Ante Kuzmanić, Karlo Žanić, Ivica Kovačević, Dražen Krolo, Neven Vujina, Ivica Radunić, Anton Kovačev, Vlado Perišin, Marin Milan, Jakša Bedalov and Ivan Kovač Matela are Kastela winemakers whose wines carry the label of excellence.

"Dražen Krolo, a winemaker from Kaštela, planted his vineyard in the Dalmatian hinterland. He was one of the first to plant Kaštela Crljenak in 2003, knowing that it was a variety that originated in this area.

It is a variety that has disappeared from this area for no reason; it is challenging to make wine. We struggled a lot for a couple of years until we got used to it, but we didn’t regret it. This crljenak is, indeed, a brand in the world, and every promotion of crljenak and raising it to a higher level are commendable," said Krolo.

Found 20 years ago

"The mark of excellence is, of course, the wind in the back, one step higher in branding. We are a small group in Kaštela, but we are trying to bring the Kaštela Crljenak to an international level," said Radunić, in whose vineyard the root of zinfandel was found twenty years ago.

"The city of Kaštela has been supporting Crljenak for many years. It has already become our brand, and it still needs to be branded. Through the Creative Spring Days, there is a special emphasis on Kaštela Crljenak, and winemakers will definitely have the support of the City," said the Mayor of Kaštela Denis Ivanović.

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