The Oleander terrace of the most luxurious hotel in Zagreb, the Esplanade, a truly glamorous and large, and yet intimate and warm party took place at the end of June. The intent of the organiser, winemaking family Kozlović, was to use a summer party to thank its customers, business partners, friends, distributors, caterers, sommeliers, chefs, journalists, wine lovers and all who have come in contact with their wines.
They named it – a party for friends, and it was. To complete the story, together with the owners, Antonella and Franco Kozlović, their 8 employees were there too, and daughters Gianna and Lara helped out as well. The Kozlović family brought to Zagreb truly everything that can be tasted in their cellar, a total of 12 wine labels, and for the first time the white Santa Lucia 2015 was offered, boasting a silver medal from this year’s Decanter, along with two distillate labels. The assortment was completed by Kozlović extra virgin olive oil, which went along with gastronomical delicacies.
The family also brought a visual feeling from the winery – an exhibition of photographs made in the last five years, creating an homage to their origins – their Valle, their ancestors, and the wine which is not only a business but a way of life. The wine bar was operated by Kozlović employees who can best promote their winery and wines from grape to bottle, offering to taste the Valle 2016, Malvazija 2016, JRE Malvazija 2016, Svinjon 2016, Momjan Muscat dry 2016, Violetta 2016, Teran 2016, Santa Lucia Noir 2012 (from the winery archive), Momjan Muscat semi-sweet 2016, Muškat rose 2016, Mediteran n/v, and Santa Lucia bijela, a 100% Malvazija from their most valuable vineyard Santa Lucia.
Distillates offered were Lacrime, a well-known brandy from Momjan Muscat, and a treat which Franco Kozlović brought out of the cellar especially for this occasion – a liqueur from Momjan Muscat. This liqueur was the base for the Luxury Muscat cocktail made as a welcome drink by the cocktail expert of the Esplanade team. The gastronomy was taken care of by an impressive team of chefs: Ana Grgić, executive chef of the Esplanade hotel with a barbecue a la Esplanade, then legendary Mira Zrnić from the Stari Podrum konoba in Momjan, chefs Fabricio Vežnaver from Pergola restaurant, and chef Damir Tomljenović from Bevanda restaurant. The menu was complete with a selection of cheeses, sweets and fresh fruit. To have something to remember them by, guests were given bottles of Kozlović olive oil as a goodbye gift.
