As in previous years, the main organisers of the manifestation are KUD József Attila and the Hungarian Customs Fostering Association Surduk from Zmajevac, to be held on September 30
Manager of the Baranyai Julia wine store Gabriella Gerštmajer had the following to say about the upcoming wine marathon:
“In the distant 2005 as part of the village days we organised a Wine Marathon and now it seems that as part of the Wine Marathon we organise village days. This year is the 12th edition. In 2005 we began with 40 competitors and in 2016 we surpassed all records with a respectable 1.300 marathoners and several thousand visitors. Every visitor is welcome and they can all tour open cellars and enjoy the abundant oenology and gastronomy offer. As part of the manifestation we are organising a fair with various handmade souvenirs and accessories.
The aim of the Wine Marathon is for visitors to explore our little village, customs, tourism offer. This manifestation is also excellent for the promotion of wine roads, and according to many it also benefits the economic development of the Kneževi Vinogradi District and Osijek-Baranja County. To make things easier for winemakers and to prevent all of the expected 2.000 marathoners from pouring into cellar number 1, we marked the wine roads with 3 colours. The Wine Marathon begins at 15h and all registered participants start from the village centre, but towards the road matching the colour of their glass. We need to mention everyone will receive the same amount of coupons and tour the same cellars, but divided evenly into the red, yellow and green roads. During the marathon there will be various music groups on wine roads to entertain people. The end of the wine marathon is estimated at 19h.
This year we will have two stages, 2 chillout points, a fair and abundant gastro offer in 2 roads and 24 cellars on the marathon. In the Catholic and Reformist road from 17 to 19:30h various bands with national music will take their turns. From 20h on the main stage of the Catholic road a band from Hungary will play English and Hungarian evergreens. Chillout will be placed in the ‘non-active’ part of the road, across from Josić, below the well, with easy going music and a rakia bar. In the Reformist road from 20h the Balašević tribute band Neki Novi Klinci will play, and in the chillout DJ Danijel Boban will shake you up with the rhythm of melodic techno and progressive house music.
We recommend to visitors to continue the party in cellars and tents, with live music and superior wines guaranteeing a good time. This year we will again have a bus going between Osijek and Zmajevac, as well as Beli Manastir and Zmajevac. A return ticket costs 30 kunas. The Wine Marathon fee will be 100 kunas per person. Just like every year the marathoners will receive a starting number, t-shirt, glass holder with the seal of Zmajevac (from 1841), a glass, a map with marked cellars and 24 coupons for 24 cellars.
Due to the limited number of participants, reservations are accepted via the e-mail [email protected] and via the new webpage: https://vinskibormaraton.jimdo.com
Wine Marathon Programme
Saturday, September 30
10:00-12:00 – Presentation of Zmajevac Primary School (fair, dance and games by the Culture House)
11:00 – Start of ethno fair (Reformist and Catholic road)
10:00-14:30 – Registration for the Wine Marathon
12:30-13:30 – Concert by the brass band from Šikloš at the Culture House
13:15 – Parade of folklore groups from the Hungarian House
13:45-14:45 – Presentation of folklore groups
14:45 – Gathering at the Culture House
15:00-19:00 – Wine Marathon
19:30 – Announcement of top three participants by the Baranyai Julia wine store
20:00 – Concerts in the Reformist and Catholic roads, party in cellars
