As part of the 11th Zagreb Vinocom, festival of wine and cuisine, awards for the best wine cellar in the touristic sector were held, founded in 2012 by the G.E.T. association for gastronomy culture, promoting eno-gastronomy and development of eno-gastro tourism.
Sales on the doorstep have become a priority of winemakers, wine cellars have become an integral part of the tourism offer and a large factor in tourism in general. Hence the mission of this project is to promote those who try hardest and praise their work and success, entice them to continue and others to try more and develop the quality of the complete offer. This applies to more than wineries, to all who take part in developing and promoting eno-gastro tourism.
This year, voting for the best wineries in their opinions, were 515 eno-gastro connoisseurs and travellers, in four regions: Dalmatia, Istria and Kvarner, Hills of Croatia and Slavonia and the Danube Region. A novelty this year are awards for wineries in Slovenia, Bosnia&Herzegovina and Serbia.
At a ceremony in the Zagreb Esplanade awards were handed out to the best according to the points gathered, but also some special recognitions for contributions to eno-gastro tourism in Croatia.
Award winners are:
Hills of Croatia
1) Vuglec breg, Škarićevo
2) Šember, Donji Pavlovčani
3) Željko Kos, Hrnjanec
Dalmatia
1) Bibich, Plastovo
2) Miloš, Ponikve
3) Korta Katarina, Orebić
Istria and Kvarner
1) Kozlović, Momjan
2) Kabola, Momjan
3) Trapan, Šišan
Slavonia and Danube Region
1) Iločki podrumi, Ilok
2) Josić, Zmajevac
3) Belje, Kneževi vinogradi
Best in Croatia
1) Kozlović, Momjan
2) Iločki podrumi, Ilok
3) Kabola, Momjan
Best in Slovenia: Ščurek, Plešivo, Dobrovo v Brdih
Best in Bosnia&Herzegovina: Nuić, Crnopod, Ljubuški
Best in Serbia: Zvonko Bogdan, Palić, Subotica
Good start
This recognition aims to commend wineries who have just recently added tourism or are planning to as they have realized how important it is, with a good start and plenty of enthusiasm. We feel it is important to show their work has been noticed and support them in their goal.
The Good Start 2016 award was given to Deklić winery from Ferenci, near Vižinada in Istria.
Special recognitions
Franjo Francem, special award for lifetime achievement, extraordinary contribution to the development and promotion of wine culture – Franjo Francem is a co-founder and vice president of the Croatian Sommelier Club, he has initiated and founded the Croatian Enology Society where he was president for a long time. He is the initiator of the Wine Academy and through his work, especially educational workshops, has helped many wine lovers.
Good Wines company, special recognition for exceptional contribution to the development of wine culture – Good Wines have set new standards in tasting dinners, through which many wine lovers had the chance to taste a wide palette of wines, but also some special combinations with food. Each of their tastings is an experience and lesson.
Wine Taste Buds, special recognition for exceptional contribution to the development of wine culture – Wine Taste Buds are an association from Maribor that has relentlessly for the past ten years created presentations of eno-gastronomy to a wide audience and what is very important – many of their events are of international character and naturally, great support for Croatian winemakers.
Kolar Family Farm, special recognition for exceptional contribution in developing eno-gastro tourism in their region. The recognition aims primarily to commend the innovation of the Kolar family, recognising a need for accommodation of camping lovers and creating a small camp in Suza Baranjska, which benefits all tourism subjects in the area.
General goals of the White Grape project are presenting and improving tourism services in eno-gastro tourism. Awards for wineries in Slovenia, Bosnia&Herzegovina and Serbia are a step towards expanding White Grape to those nations, raising the project goals to raising awareness of the importance of eno-gastro tourism to the entire region, not just Croatia.
