RUTHERFORD, CA., March 29, 2023 — Grgich Hills Estate is set to host a series of events known as “A Life Full of Miracles” to celebrate the 100th birthday of legendary Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich starting on April 1, 2023. To mark the occasion, Grgich Hills Estate will release two highly collectible Centennial Celebration wines: the 2020 Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay and the 2019 Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon. The commemorative Chardonnay pays homage to the historic Judgment of Paris blind tasting in 1976 when Miljenko's wine scored the highest among French and California wines, changing the world of wine forever. The Cabernet Sauvignon is made from grapes grown in one of Napa Valley's oldest Cabernet vineyards, exemplifying Miljenko's tradition of excellence in crafting world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

The birthday celebration will feature a multi-stream event accessible through the Grgich Hills official website. The centennial event will be hosted by Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson. Guests attending the physical event at the Grgich Hills Estate will enjoy live entertainment and delicious food designed to complement these exclusive wines and Andrea will engage with friends of Mike from around the US and Canada who will share their stories about him. Mike will join the celebration from his winter residence with his family, including Violet Grgich, President of Grgich Hills Estate.

On May 19, 2023, Mike’s close friends, colleagues, associates and select members of the media will celebrate “A Glass Full of Miracles,” an exclusive event where select wines that represent Mike’s career in the wine industry will be featured. These include a selection of Grgich Hills Estate library wines, as well as those that he worked on while employed at other wineries- including Beaulieu Vineyard where he worked with Andre Tchelistcheff, his tenure at the Robert Mondavi Winery where he crafted the now famous “Fume Blanc” and 1969 Award Winning Cabernet Sauvignon, and finally at Chateau Montelena where he created the wine that won the “Judgement of Paris.” Many winemaking associates will be sharing their favorite personal stories about friendships with Mike and the wines they created with him. The following day, “A Life Full of Miracles” celebration will feature Croatian music and dancers in traditional costume, entertainment, and food created by renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Approximately 400 invitation-only guests will be attending on May 20, 2023, on the open-air patio at The Ranch House at Grgich Hills Estate.

On July 1, 2023, Grgich Hills Estate’s annual Wine Club Croatian Extravaganza will celebrate 46 years of exceptional wines and the founding of Grgich Hills Estate. Miljenko “Mike” Grgich’s 100th birthday will be celebrated highlighting his contributions to the art of winemaking as well as his Croatian roots. Entertainment will include festive Croatian music and dancers in traditional costume as well as a special menu of Croatian delicacies paired with Grgich Hills Estate special Centennial wines. This is a special milestone, and a limited number of tickets will be set aside for the general public, allowing Wine Club Members first access.

About Miljenko “Mike” Grgich: Born in a village in the former Yugoslavia, now Croatia, in 1923. Miljenko’s US-bound journey from his homeland on a UN student visa via Germany and Canada was an ambitious one. Arriving in Napa Valley in 1958, Miljenko worked with a succession of the most influential wineries and winemakers in Napa Valley: Lee Stewart at Souverain Winery, Brother Timothy at Christian Brothers Cellars, André Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu Vineyards, and Robert Mondavi at Robert Mondavi Winery before becoming winemaker and limited partner at Château Montelena. Miljenko’s lifelong principles are characterized by faith, hard work, perseverance, love of the earth, dedication to education, and to the blending of farmer's wisdom with scientific principles and the art of winemaking. Grgich was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2008.

About Grgich Hills Estate: Grgich Hills Cellar became Grgich Hills Estate in 2003, sourcing only grapes grown on the 366 acres of certified organic vineyards. Grgich Hills Estate is certified organic, incorporating biodynamic principles in farming practices and a Napa Valley leader in Regenerative Organic Agriculture. Referred to as "Organic Plus,” regenerative farming is a science-driven approach focused on no-till soil management, building organic matter to sustain microbial life, incorporating livestock and biodiversity, and caring for people who work in the fields and winery. Recognized as one of the world’s "Top 100 Wineries" by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2022, Grgich Hills Estate is in the process of becoming certified through the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), a leading force in the Regenerative Agriculture movement worldwide, a key component of combating climate change.

March the 27th, 2023 - German visitors to the recently held ProWein fair in Dusseldorf have been loving wines from Croatia, with a particular emphasis having been placed on Istrian wines.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the decision to present Istrian wine and its producers independently at the world's largest fair in the German city of Dusseldorf this year was nothing short of a complete success for Vinistra.

Over three intensive days, the representatives of thirteen well-known wineries, which were also supported by the prefect of Istria County, Boris Miletic, presented the rich offer of Istrian wines to German visitors. At an independent stand in Hall 12, along with big wine countries such as Portugal and Hungary, the Agrolaguna, Damjanic, Medea, Fakin, Meneghetti, Pervino, Cattunar, Rossi, Bertosa, Kozlovic, Benvenuti, Matosevic and Frankovic were presented at Vinistra's stand.

"ProWein has once again showed that it is the leading international trade fair in the wine and spirits sector. I'm extremely pleased by the great interest of wine professionals in Istrian wines, especially in our Malvasia and Terano varieties. This is primarily the result of the top quality of our wines, but also of the intensive promotional activities that we undertake as an association in key markets.

We may not have large areas under vineyards like some of the world's most famous wine regions, but the quality of Istrian wines is absolutely not lagging behind the best, which was confirmed this year at ProWein,'' said Luka Rossi, president of Vinistra, the association of winegrowers and winemakers of Istria.

From March the 19th to the 21st, the entire global wine market was presented at the Dusseldorf fair, almost six thousand exhibitors from more than 60 countries exhibited what they had to offer, and 49 thousand business visitors from as many as 141 countries visited it over those three days.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.

March 17, 2023 - Last year, one of the most influential wine magazines in the USA, Wine Enthusiast, rated the Croatian wine Ernest Tolj Dingač of the Saints Hills winery with a high 97 points, but this year's 99 out of 100 points put it at the very top of the world, joining the elite club.

As Punkufer writes, this recognition for this Croatian wine is all the greater because it is a local variety, Plavac Mali, which is increasingly recognized and appreciated globally. Small yields, great steepness, triple insolation (from the sun, sea, and stone), pure manual processing, and, along with limestone and red earth, an abundance of quartz are just some of the specifics of the unique terroir to which this wine owes its qualities. Special efforts are invested in the production as well. After the manual selection of the grapes, fermentation in barrique is followed by two years in oak barrels so that the tannins would further round out and soften. Then comes aging in special dark glass bottles decorated with the winery's motifs.

Ernest Tolj Dingač 2019 is a limited series of humanitarian wines, and the Saints Hills winery donates all the money from the sales to children in need. It was founded in 2006, and the vineyards in Dalmatia and Istria are named after the children of the owners Ivana and Ernest Tolj.

Adding to them the prefix of saints, the vineyard of St. Lucia in the Dingač region, the vineyard of St. Ante in western Istria, and St. Roko in Komarna are actual proof that this family shapes the gifts of the land in the best possible way - providing true wine lovers with unique tastes.

"Our hearts are full that every year, through our Saints Hills for Kids foundation, we can help those who need help the most. With great enthusiasm, we pick every grape of Plavac Mali to become humanitarian wine ET Dingač. A limited series of only a few hundred bottles are available to wine lovers every year with the same noble mission: to make the world a better place," said Ivana and Ernest Tolj, owners of the Saints Hills winery, and add:

"Just as we try to be an example to our children and help them on their life paths, we want to do the same for those children who do not have adequate care, protection, and love. That is why every drop of Ernest Tolj Dingač is woven with the greatest emotion every human needs - from the youngest to the oldest."

On the Saints Hills winery website, 99 of the total 800 bottles of Ernest Tolj Dingač 2019 are available for sale, and delivery is expected in June. All proceeds from this top Croatian wine are intended for the most vulnerable groups through the Saints Hills for Kids Foundation, just as in previous years.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.

March 5, 2023 - As International Women's Day approaches, a tribute to the magnificent women winemakers  of Croatia.

This is not another article about International Women's Day. It's a story of women who, like every other woman in the world, excel at their craft. What makes them even more precious to us is the nature of their art. These women make outstanding wines. 

Every 8th of March, women around the world are celebrated. Women have been fighting for their rights for years in most countries. Croatia is no exception. One point of view makes Croatians more blessed than many other nations. In Croatia, women have been in charge of making wine since always. They weren't usually under the spotlight, but although it is still not that common, female winemakers do have a tradition on Croatian soil. Most importantly, they are currently making excellent wines!

How many women winemakers are there in Croatia?

We have contacted seven leading Croatian women winemakers to share their insights and expertise. They talked to us about their wines, their successes and struggles, the women who inspire them, and their views on women's place in the winemaking industry.

It is our privilege to introduce these women winemakers - as the proprietors. Since there are dozens of women enologists and even more female sommeliers in Croatia, we wanted to share the story of the woman winemakers responsible for everything from planting and farming to growing and harvesting, making wines, and also marketing and selling wine.

How many female winemakers are there?

In Croatia, there is no statistical parameter to answer the percentage of wineries a woman leads. Some women might simply be owners and not involved in winemaking. A couple of wineries are led by women professionals. There are many oenologists responsible for farming and winemaking, many female sommeliers, and many more involved in marketing, but women are still in the minority when it comes to winemaking. With women's hard work, dedication, and persistence, but also knowledge and passion, this is slowly changing.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that women’s influence on Croatia’s wine-making process has long been present. Their craftsmanship and wisdom have offered vast contributions to the country’s winemaking tradition. These women are not only an example for women in Croatia but all over the world, and we salute them!

Inspiring Women in Croatian winemaking

Insisting on your own vision is something all of these strong-minded women have in common. Regardless of the age difference and place of origin, they all share a dedication to their craft and passion for winemaking.

It wasn't always without a challenge: "In the past, I used to receive curious glances and mistaken assumptions about my role at fairs where I was often asked to call the boss, as people assumed I was a hostess. However, now the perception has changed as our winery is recognized as a "woman's" one, particularly because my sister and I have been involved in every aspect of the business, from the challenging and less glamorous tasks to the leadership roles." Ana Peršurić, Peršurić family winery in Istria.

"Sometimes it is not easy for women in this business; the world of wine is traditionally a man's world in which women were not taken seriously until recently because it is a physically demanding and painstaking job, whether in the vineyard or the cellar." are the words of Ivana Puhelek, Puhelek-Purek family winery in Upland Croatia, and she continues, "On my winemaking journey, I often had to prove myself much more than men. Today, all my contacts and business relationships are related exclusively to men, and I feel completely equal with them."

Encouraging perspective also offers Ivana Prgin Horvat, Prgin family winery in Dalmatia, "It's probable that I've encountered situations where I wasn't treated equally, but there wasn't anything specific that I could point out, nothing that burdens me... because I always insist on my vision, not out of spite, but out of love." Ivana Prgin finds an abandoned old school near Primošten and decides to accomplish her love. Her husband and children follow her love for the Babić variety and move from the capital to Primošten. "I am fascinated with legendary Bucavac vineyards where the Babić variety is a part of heritage. Growing grapes and making wine here is a continuation of a broken tradition. There is potential to achieve something truly exceptional."

As a women winemaker who truly started from scratch, coming not from agricultural but economic sciences, planting her first vineyard in the year 2004, and building a winery afterward, Jasna Antunović, Antunović winery in Slavonia, achieved wisdom in her wines as well as in her words: "It was a leap into the unknown, but since then I am deeply aware that I belong in a world where everything is my way - the land, the Danube, the vines, wine, creativity, curiosity, challenge, and inner happiness and peace." When asked about the challenges, Jasna offers her insight: "When I first started, it took a while for people to take me seriously and recognise my abilities. But, once they saw the quality of my work, they no longer had doubts or concerns. Nowadays, it's becoming more common for people to recognise that gender doesn't determine someone's abilities, and women are becoming increasingly successful in all kinds of industries, including winemaking."

When it comes to experience and wisdom, few can compare, regardless of their gender, with the legendary Mare Mrgudić, Bura-Mrgudić family winery in Dalmatia. Aged only 11 years and having helped her mother with the vineyard works after her father's death, Marija was destined to become a winemaker. More than destiny, she was encouraged by her mother and grandmother, both accustomed to working under the Pelješac peninsula sun. Besides her mother and grandmother, Mare always mentions her other role model - Anđelka Ančić.

"Anđelka was an engineer who worked at the Dingač winery. In a small town where men usually held all the power, she managed to gain respect and trust from 500 members of the agricultural cooperative and the well-known Dingač winery. For many years, she was the leader of the wine industry in the country, and she did it all with great skill and confidence."

Mare, too, feels the prejudices are now a stereotype, although she admits she had issues with male colleagues: "Maybe they didn't take me seriously at times, but I never experienced humiliation or bullying from any colleagues in the industry. In fact, most of them were always ready to help, so from my experience, I can say that it is just an old stereotype."

A daughter of a famous father, Martina Krauthaker, from Krauthaker winery in Slavonia, steps out of her father's shadow. For a while now, Martina has been fully responsible for running one of the most respectful wineries in Croatia. She remembers the winemaking from the very beginning as her father, Vlado Krauthaker planted the first vineyards when Martina was born. When asked about her highest accomplishments, she answered, "Success is getting the most out of every vintage. Of course, none of them is the same, and despite that, I try to maintain a consistent quality. When consumers accept the wine, it is my greatest success."

Another daughter of a strong father comes from Istria. Ana Ritoša, from Ritoša winery in Istria, now runs the place, home to many beautiful Istrian wines. She is also very positive regarding the challenges females are exposed to, "I understand how it might seem easier for men to handle physical work while also taking care of their families. Sometimes, customers might take men more seriously in certain industries, like winemaking. However, as a woman in the wine world, I have found that people are often surprised and impressed by what I do. They are curious about why I chose this career path and are willing to try my wines because they can see the passion and hard work that goes into every bottle."

This Women's Day, let us take the time to appreciate women winemakers in Croatia and worldwide who prove that women can make wine just as good as men. Sometimes, even better because "In the world of wine, women are increasingly gaining recognition and opportunities. It has been scientifically proven that women tend to have more advanced senses of smell and taste compared to men. As a result, women's wine creations can add a unique energy and bring refinement to wines, which can enhance the overall wine scene." (Ivana Puhelek)

Success redefined

Let's ask women winemakers in Croatia what makes an accomplished woman in their eyes, and Mare Mrgudić answers, "A truly fulfilled and successful woman is someone who defines success on her own terms, based on what brings happiness and satisfaction to both herself and those closest to her. Unfortunately, society often pressures us to follow certain preconceived notions of success, causing many young people to chase after these ideals and ultimately burn out, even if they appear to have achieved success by society's standards. However, this path isn't healthy for individuals or society as a whole, because true happiness comes from within, and a happy individual creates a positive environment that leads to a healthy and content society."

Jasna Antunović adds, "To do what she likes and in which she is creatively fulfilled every day, to be in an environment that suits her with people who are dear and close to her."

Ana Peršurić says, "A woman who achieved herself in the areas she wanted to achieve herself. For me, success means different things than it might for others. I feel successful because I have been able to keep my family's winemaking tradition alive, and I have a loving and supportive family. I am also grateful for my good health and the opportunity to complete my education as I had hoped. With these achievements, I am now able to live a comfortable life and even travel. All of these accomplishments have made me feel fulfilled as a woman, and I am truly happy with where I am in life "

Ivana Puhelek concludes with her view, "A successful and accomplished woman lives the life she dreamed of as a girl, the life she prepared for through schooling and growing up, and the life in which she achieved all her desires and goals, whatever they were."

This Women's Day, we are taking a stand: women from Croatia have always been making great wines and should be celebrated for their achievements, just like every woman worldwide!

Let's celebrate the achievements of women. Let's celebrate it properly. With a glass of women-made wine that shines with its quality and devotion.

Long live our queens!

Article originally published on winendmore.com

February the 3rd, 2023 - Croatian wine producers and all those in this lucrative field have managed to do remarkably well given the unfavourable position they've found themselves in over the last couple of years. The year 2022 was a difficult one, but they made it work.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, 2022 was a markedly challenging year for Croatian wine producers and others involved in the sector as it was marked by an increase in input prices, from raw materials to labour, problems due to disruptions in supply chains and an average crop reduction of around 10 to 15 percent due to drought.

Despite all of the aforementioned obstacles which stood in the way of those working in the field (or should I say vineyard), good wine placement was achieved due to a successful post-pandemic tourist season during the summer months and export growth.

All of this was further explained by Dragan Kovacevic, the vice-president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for Agriculture and Tourism. He touched on the topic at the opening of one of the most important annual events of the Croatian wine industry - the Grasevina Croatica En Primeur 2023 event, organised by the Grasevina Croatica winemakers' association of Slavonia and Croatian Podunavlia.

Over the first ten months of last year, at least when compared to the same period back in 2021, imports decreased, and the export of Croatian-made wine, especially wines of a higher price category, quality wines and sparkling wines, grew by almost eight percent. In addition to that, he added, it should be noted that Croatian wine producers have done remarkably well, having won a large number of awards and a lot of well deserved recognition at the most prestigious international competitions despite any and all difficulties faced.

Sandra Zokic, the director of the Directorate for Agricultural Land, Plant Production and Market of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasised the importance of the National Assistance Programme for the Wine Sector, through which Croatian wine producers and winegrowers were granted support in a financial package worth almost 630 million kuna for 526 projects carrying a total value of 1.3 billion kuna.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.

February 2, 2023 - Croatia has some incredible wines and some of the wine stories are equally incredible. Learn more about the tales of Ilocki Podrumi, in Croatia's easternmost town of Ilok.

It is closer to Zagreb than Split, and yet for many, Croatia's easternmost town of Ilok seems to be at the end of the world.

Make the journey, however, and you will be rewarded with wines fit for royalty and a wine-making tradition dating back to Roman times.

Meet the wine which was served at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and again at the weddings of Princes William and Harry.

And then hear the incredible story of how 1,200 bottles of the royal 1947 Traminac were saved after the Serbs took control of the winery during the Homeland War.

This video was shot by Steve Tsentserensky and edited by Igo Vuk in November 2021, while the Queen was still alive, which explains the words in the National Anthem at the end.

You can learn more about Ilok and eastern Croatia in my Total Croatia News article of that trip, Slavonia, Full of Life: Time to Tell the Truth about Eastern Croatia.

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What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.

Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Paul Bradbury Croatia & Balkan Expert YouTube channel.

Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

January 20, 2023 - And you thought Croatia was dead in January? Head on East to WineOS and the Osijek Wine Festival, which was a great success in its 8th edition.

Croatia in January.

Advent in over, the summer is far away, everything is closed. 

Now imagine Slavonia in January. Even worse, right?

You couldn't be further from the truth. One of the early season fixed highlights in my calendar each year now is a weekend in Osijek in mid-January. I first went to the WineOS Osijek Wine Festival seven years ago, a very local affair with just a few producers. 

The organisers have worked very hard to expand the event, while maintaining the quality. In addition to the many wines to try, there are outstanding workshops of both days, as well as an excellent after party both nights - this year hosted at Peppermint. More details in the press release below, as I will confess that my judgment got a little cloudier as the days went on. 

Two highlights for me were learning about the wines of Vina Papak in Ilok, officially the easternmost winery in Croatia - for years I thought that Ilocki Podrum was the only name in town there.

And the black Slavonian pig kulen from former Croatian national footballer, Domagoj Vida (I met it last year) was absolutely sensational. 

Much more below, and I heartily recommend you look out for the dates in 2024 - an excellent event powered by fine wines and true Slavonian hospitality. 

You can follow the official WineOS website here.

THE RECORD EIGHTH WINEOS ATTRACTED NUMEROUS EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS

The previous weekend, on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th January, the eighth international fair of wine, delicacies and pleasant living WineOS was held in the Gradski vrt hall. According to announcements, it was the largest WineOS ever, where over 115 producers of wine, spirits, desserts, cured meats and other delicacies presented themselves.

During the two days of the fair and three days of workshops, almost 3,500 people passed through the hall: exhibitors, visitors, business guests and everyone who worked hard to make this event look spectacular. On both exhibition days, there was a big crowd in the hall in front of each exhibitor and the stage where Saša Vojnović from the Lug Hotel restaurant, Nebojša Rajković from the Čingi Lingi čarda restaurant and the famous gastronomic educator from Split Željko Neven Bremec demonstrated their culinary skills.

"Record numbers, great interest in participation, reactions of the exhibitors and the audience are confirmation that we succeeded in surpassing previous editions. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the organization and realization of the biggest January public event in Osijek; Osijek-Baranja County, the City of Osijek and the Vinita wine shop as co-organizers, the tourist associations of Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Osijek, the Osijek Fair as a sponsor, and our partners from the Catering and Tourism School. Without their help and engagement, this event could not have been realized", said the president of the organizing committee of the fair and the president of the association Dekanter Boris Ocić.

"Eight years after the first edition of the fair, WineOS truly became what we wanted - one of the biggest wine events in Croatia and the region. Osijek is increasingly recognized as a wine tourist destination, a city of hedonism and good food, and a place where guests from other parts of Croatia like to come and stay more and more. We will continue in the same direction, we will offer something new every year and we will not rest on our laurels. We want to progress even more", said WineOS founder and CEO Vinko Ručević.

"The reactions of the exhibitors and the audience, the praise that comes from all sides, the words of praise sent to us by the media, guests, and guests are really pleasing. However, the most important thing is that we have permanent partners who are of great help to us, but also the fact that our exhibitors get better and better jobs precisely thanks to the contacts made on WineOS. We want to continue in this direction and offer everyone an even better and more attractive WineOS next year and provide an opportunity for exhibitors and business visitors to do even more work. And we will do all this with another big step forward that we are planning for 2024. However, we will say more about that in a few months", concluded the executive director of the fair, Denis Despot.

Finally, here are some concrete figures. The 1,900 square meters of the Gradski vrt hall housed 97 exhibition spaces where over 115 exhibitors from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina presented themselves. More than 2,800 guests, invitees, business visitors, protocol representatives and journalists passed through the hall, totaling almost 3,500 people with the organizers and exhibitors. Visitors tried more than 500 different wines and spirits in almost 3,000 glasses, about 2,500 liters of water were drunk, a ton of ice was consumed, and workshop participants had the opportunity to taste about eighty different wines, many of which you can no longer buy even in wineries.

All this is a lure for guests to visit WineOS next year as well, and while they wait they will be able to enjoy the many wine events in Osijek and the surrounding area that await us in 2023. At the end, the organizers send another big thank you to everyone with a message - see you in 2024 at the ninth WineOS!
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There is something inexplicably appealing about astrology, especially at this time of the year. We ask the stars how rich, loved, and healthy we will be (or not) in the coming one. But what if you let your sign choose the next bottle of Croatian wine? Fun is guaranteed!

Aries (March 21 - April 20)

Bold, passionate, stubborn. Your fire nature gives you no time for ordinary things in life. Definitely go for a Babič! Autochthone from Šibenik and Primošten area, this red wine variety will seduce you with its velvety tannins, black fruit aromas and Mediterranean herbal notes. A powerful and lively red that never disappoints. Try it with matured cheeses, Dalmatian prosciutto, pašticada (traditional Dalmatian braised beef dish) or BBQ red meat.

Taurus (April 21 - May 20)

Down to earth, genuine, hedonistic. You simply love your comfort zone. Indulge your senses with a Teran! This autochthone Istrian red wine variety will pamper your palate with its red fruit aromas and peppery notes. Flavour is rich, tannins smooth, soft and round. Pair it with some Istrian prosciutto, boškarin dishes (Istrian cattle breed), truffle pasta or simply with a piece of dark chocolate.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21)

Outgoing, talkative, the social butterfly of the zodiac. Your next bottle must be sparkling, as your personality. Best Croatian sparkling wines come from the Plešivica area. Also known as ‘’Croatian Champagne Region’’, this area is producing excellent sparkling wines by using the traditional method. The wines from the area have a complex bouquet, pleasant acidity and aromas of white stone fruit, bread crust and butter. Enjoy your bubbles with creamy cheeses, almonds, fish carpaccio or oysters.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)

Although people often perceive you as cold and distant, your thick external shells hides a gentle and emotional soul. Your ‘’winemate’’ is definitely a Grk! This rare white grape variety from Lumbarda on Korčula island is on its way to glory. Dry, full-bodied, mineral, with primary ripe fruit aromas, such as apples and pears, Mediterranean herbal notes and a characteristic final bitterness. Pairs well with tuna tartare, white fish, mature cheeses and asparagus dishes.

Leo (July 23 - August 23)

Vivacious, creative, dramatic. For your majesty ‘’the king of the jungle’’, I recommend nothing less than a Bogdanuša. An ancient autochthone white grape variety from Hvar island, which literally means God-given (sounds appealing, right?). A refreshing dry white wine with low acidity and primary floral aromas. Enjoy it alone, paired with some white meat or grilled white fish.

Virgo (August 24 - September 22)

Logical, practical, a perfectionist. Since you don’t have time to waste, go straight on to a Pošip: one of the most loved white wines by locals and foreigners alike. Native to the island of Korčula, today this grape variety is widespread in Central and Southern Dalmatia. Dry, full-bodied, exceptionally mineral, dominated by apricot, peach and citrus aromas. Best served with fish and shells, but also pairs well with Dalmatian prosciutto and Pag island cheese.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Charming, balanced, harmonious. However, making a decision is always hard for you. Pick an elegant and timeless Istrian Malvazija and you won’t be disappointed. The queen of Istrian whites will enchant you with its apricot, acacia and almonds aromas. Fruity, fresh, always harmonious thanks to its perfectly balanced acidities. Try it with fish, white meat or your favourite pasta dish.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 22)

A complex and mysterious personality: loyal, compassionate, but can attack when least expected. You are definitely a Plavac Mali! Its name translates as the ‘’Little Blue’’ and it is the king of Dalmatian red wine varieties. This is a ‘’serious’’ red wine, high in alcohol and tannin, with primary black fruit aromas and spicy notes. Try it with a Dalmatian charcuterie board, red meat dishes or simply with a nice BBQ steak.

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21)

Independent, adventurous, curious. Feed and celebrate your curiosity with a bottle of Opolo! Opolo is the traditional Dalmatian name for rosé wines, which are usually made from Plavac Mali or Babić grape varieties. Dalmatian rosé are dry, refreshing, mildly acid, with primary raspberry and strawberry aromas. Enjoy it with shrimps, chicken dishes, your favourite pasta and even pizza!

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)

Ambitious, hardworking, determined. You have a ‘’the best or nothing’’ mindset. So for you I suggest a bottle of Dingač: the best of Plavac Mali variety, coming from the homonym protected winegrowing area on the Pelješac peninsula. A Dingač, often aged in barrique barrels, will satisfy the Capricorn’s taste buds with its ripe black fruit aromas and spicy, smoky notes. Try it with game dishes, such as wild boar, or with slow-cooked beef in thick and rich sauces.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19)

Rebellious, altruistic, nature-lover. Absolutely go for a Prč! This rare white grape variety from Sućuraj, on Hvar island, is according to locals a powerful natural aphrodisiac. ‘’Gods call it nectar, people Prč (…) And it raises men's strength to the clouds’’ Danko Angjelinović (1893–1963). Dry, crispy, with primary grapey muscat aromas and citrus notes. Pairs perfectly with white meat, fish and any type of seafood. 

Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

You are a sensitive, emotional and caring soul. Celebrate your senses with some Prošek: the Dalmatian traditional dessert wine. Made through the passito method with different local grape varieties, this wine has primary dry fruit, raisins and jam aromas. Irresistibly sweet, just as you are. Serve it with some traditional Croatian pastries or dried figs. P.S. Never confuse Prošek with Prosecco, but that’s another story.

Want to learn more about Croatian wine? Follow the dedicated TCN section.

November 6, 2022 - More success for Zagreb County's wine promotional film, this time at ART&TUR in Portugal. 

Good things are happening around Zagreb...

There has been considerable promotion of the goumet scene in Zagreb County in recent times, part of the strategy to better connect the county with the city through the excellent Around Zagreb initiative. The year started with the presentation of the Gault & Millau Zagreb restaurant guide, which included many restaurants from the county in an English guide for the first time, and it has been a very useful addition to to the city's culinary scene. And the year is now ending with more recognition, this time for yet one more award for the excellent Zagreb County wine promotional film, Taste above Everything, which has just picked up its second presitigious award at ART&TUR in Portugal, a short time after success at the Zagreb TourFilm Festival, as previously reported on TCN.

The official press release below.

The wine film of the Tourist Board of Zagreb County entered the top 10 in the world with awards at these two festivals

The best wine film of the Zagreb TourFilm Festival "Taste above Eveything" of the Zagreb County Tourist Board won another international award at the prestigious XV International Tourism Film Festival ART&TUR in Portugal. At the awards ceremony, which took place on Friday, October 28, 2022, in the city of Ourém, in competition with tourist films from as many as 16 countries, the film "Taste above Everything " was awarded a silver award for second place in the Wine Tourism category, thus with awards at these two festivals, entered the top 10 in the world.

ART&TUR as well as ZAGREB TOUR FILM FESTIVAL are members of CIFFT (International Association of Tourist Film Festivals), an organization that evaluates the best tourist films in the world.

With awards from prestigious international tourist film festivals, the destination film Tastes first and foremost, created in cooperation with the Zagreb County Tourist Board and the production company Sekunda, is a strong move and incentive in the promotion of tourism and the wine roads of Zagreb County. "Being among the top 10 best tourist films in the world is a great recognition for the Tourist Board of Zagreb County and a great compliment to our work of three and a half years, as well as to destination marketing and the direction we have set. The wine roads of Zagreb County were introduced to many festival participants and the expert jury through the film, which allowed us to successfully continue the promotion of the unforgettable locations of our county," said the director of the Tourist Board of Zagreb County, Ivana Alilović. "In addition to destination campaigns such as the Via VINO film festival in the vineyards and wineries of the county, which we have been successfully conducting for the last two years, we are glad that our activities in the promotion of tourism in Zagreb County have been recognized and rewarded on international markets."

A particularly important award from the wine country, Portugal

For a wine-themed film, the awards of film festivals in wine countries are especially important. Portugal is one of the most important European wine destinations, which makes the award from the ART&TUR festival even more important in the international promotion of Zagreb County's wine routes.

"Participation in international film festivals, where the films of the world are evaluated together and the best ones are chosen, is a strong indicator of how well you can convey a message through a film. On the production side, we are proud of the success in the international film competition, where we were able to highlight the destination of the wine roads of Zagreb County and, together with the Tourist Board of Zagreb County, make a film that was awarded at all the film festivals where it was submitted," said the film's producer, Martina Miličević.

This year's films were evaluated by an expert jury of 35 members from numerous countries around the world, from Brazil, Mauritius, Iran to Canada. The Croatian representative in the jury, Spomenka Saraga, film producer and director of the Zagreb Tour Film Festival did not hide her enthusiasm and pride for the award-winning films submitted from Croatia. "Croatia presented itself in the best possible way, several Croatian tourist films were shown on the big screen, which entered the competition for one of the awards, and in addition to the film program, accompanying activities were also prepared for festival guests, such as a tasting workshop that showed how wine and extra virgin olive oil, the perfect accompaniment to film art and tourism. The sugar in the end was definitely the four prizes that went to Croatia. I am proud of the fact that thanks to the Zagreb Tourfilm Festival, the trainings held with the support of the Croatian Tourist Board, these excellent films got the chance to compete and eventually win significant awards. I hope that this will be a wind at everyone's back and that these and other Croatian tourist films will continue to be submitted to festivals and win a number of awards. I congratulate the awardees and the Tourist Board of Zagreb County on the film "Taste above Eveything", which was another wine and gastronomic invitation to the guests of the festival in Portugal to come to Zagreb and its surroundings and the next Zagreb Tourfilm Festival.

(Ivana Alilovic with the award at Zagreb Toufilm Festival)

Watch the award-winning wine film of Zagreb County!

The film takes us through the preparation of the wine cellar of the Šoškić family, the production of genuine wines by the Tomac family, otherwise the first ecologically certified winery in Zagreb County, which recently completed the construction of an impressive new winery. In the film, you will also see the fairy-tale manor house Nespesh, on the Zelina wine road, where the Litterarii winery is located today. The bearers of the tradition of Zagreb County's wine roads are families that have been producing wine for generations, such as the Kos winery.

In the Braja vineyard house, we follow the preparation of the homemade Plešivica copanjek, and the free domestic animals on the slopes of Žumberac are a reminder that the genuine wines of the Zagreb County follow the originality of the ingredients found on the menus of recognized restaurants.

October 17 2022 - The steady and effective promotion continues to attract attention, as the Zagreb County Wine Roads promo video, Tastes above Everything, wins best wine video at this year's Zagreb Tourfilm Festival.  

A nice thing is happening around the Croatian capital - more and more people are discovering the Zagreb County Wine Roads, which offer a very diverse tasting experience just a short drive from the city centre. The three wine roads of Samobor, Zelina and Plesivica offer an array of grapes, styles and presentations, including Croatia's premier sparkling wine production.

But rather than wait for visitors to show up, there has been excellent promotion of the region's wine potential in recent years, with some truly innovative initiatives such as the recent Via Vino month of open cellars, combined with art, music, cinema and culture. Where else in the world, for example, could you watch the premiere of the new James Bond movie last year, while sitting in a picturesque vineyard on straw bales, covered in blankets, which sampling roasted chestnuts and sipping young Portugiesac wine? 

That effective promotion has continued on YouTube, with a truly excellent promotion of the Zagreb Country Wine Roads in the shape of the official promo video, Okusi prije svega (Tastes above Everything). Released earlier this year, the video beautifully captures the region's nature and rich gastronomy. It was nominated for last week's Zagreb Tourfilm Festival, and with an excellent conclusion, winning Best Wine Film. The dynamic regional tourist board director, Ivana Alilovic, was on hand to collect the award.

The official press release below. 

The Tourist Board of Zagreb County won the award for the best wine movie

The Zagreb County Tourist Board's destination film, Tastes above Everything, which introduces the audience to the rich, eno-gastronomic offer of the wine roads on the festive occasion at the Zagreb Tour Film Festival awards, and on Friday, October 14, it was declared the best wine film. In the competition, 106 films and works of audiovisual production that promote tourism aspects of the tourist destination, an expert jury made up of relevant domestic and international experts, first of all, he awarded the film Okusi the award for the best promotional tourist film in the category of eno-gastro tourism.

"First of all, we prepared the destination film Tastes with the aim of giving our guests and visitors the chance to bring Zagreb County closer to the inextricable link of wine roads and gastronomy that is cherished here for centuries. Zagreb County is a well-known destination for enjoying local gastronomy and fresh, indigenous foods that naturally complement the wine offer. We are extremely proud that our work is followed in the tourist community of Zagreb County, and the great results of our winemakers, winners of numerous international awards for their recognition excellence of the wine," said the director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, Ivana Alilović.

With this award from the Zagreb wine route countries, the winemakers themselves, but also the restaurants and producers of domestic products that accompany them, have achieved recognition in the international competition of the best tourist films in the world. Preparation of vinjak, care of the vines of the first ecologically certified winery in Zagreb County or the flavors of tradition - all this awaits you at its best wine film. The production of the film was entrusted to Martina Miličević, a multiple award-winning producer of tourist films. "The main actors in the Zagreb County destination film are themselves winemakers. Without preparation, they proudly stood in front of the cameras and showed what they truly have to offer visitors. I believe that it is the most sincere form of promotion, an experience that is truly expected of each visitor. Conceptually, we wanted to show how destination wine roads also include the unforgettable nature that surrounds them, the wealth of fresh food available in the narrow circle of the county, and that to explore the world of wine, you just need to start."

The film takes us through the preparation of vinjak by the Šoškić family, the production of sincere wines by the Tomac family, by the way, the first ecologically certified winery in the area of ​​Zagreb County, which recently completed the construction of an impressive new winery. In the film, you will also see the fairy-tale mansion Nespesh, on the Zelina wine road where the Litterarii winery is located today. Bearers of the traditional wine roads of Zagreb County are families that have been producing wine for generations, such as the Kos winery. In the Braje winegrower's house, we follow the preparation of the local Plešivica copanjek and free-range domestic animals on the slopes of Žumberac are a reminder of the genuine wines of Zagreb the county also monitors the authenticity of the ingredients found on the menus of recognized restaurants.

Learn more about the Zagreb County Wine Roads on the official regional tourism board website.