Dubrovnik Festiwine is a wine festival dedicated to the wines grown and made in the region. Dubrovnik-Neretva County is a very rich and varied winemaking region, fourth-largest wine producing County in Croatia with 7% of total wine production. There are 6 well-known sub-regions in the county: Konavle, Neretva, Mljet, Korčula, Lastovo and Pelješac (sometimes the seventh is mentioned, Komarna winemaking region, the youngest of those mentioned that has recently gotten very popular. The reason why it’s sometimes not considered the part of Neretva region, where it geographically belongs, is that the set of conditions there are much more similar to those on Pelješac). The festival was held in late April, early May for the last three years, and it is founded and organized by the Dubrovnik Neretva County and the County Development Agency DUNEA.
The main event of the festival is the wine exhibition taking place at the newly renovated historical site and museum Lazareti. This year, prior to the main event, the festival’s wine exhibition, a number of interesting events took place, such as ‘Dubrovnik Wine Trophy’ wine evaluation, ‘Festiwine Gala’ with renowned chefs and wine producers, many workshops and other events. Dubrovnik Wine Trophy is the competition of the best wines made in the County (no outsiders welcome to the competition!), and the general Trophy winner, the best wine of the sub-regions, the best plavac mali, dingač wine, pošip and white, red and rose wines are awarded by the international jury. In 2016 the winner of the Dubrovnik FestiWine Trophy was Dingač selekcija 2008′ by the Dingač winery from Potomje, in 2015 it was Pomet plavac mali 2012 by Crvik and the first award in 2014 was given to Terra Madre 2011, plavac mali, vineyards Komarna, winemaker Poljopromet.
‘Dubrovnik FestiWine Gala’ is the event that has been attracting attention of many foodies and wine lovers, a gourmet dinner taking place at a spectacular venue, Dubrovnik Palace Hotel. It is a very upscale event (as the price-tag shows; however the proceeds from the dinner will be used to sponsor young culinary talents), with a seven-course dinner accompanied by the selected wines from the region. In 2016 it was the best Komarna vineyards wines. As an intro to Dubrovnik FestiWine, numerous establishments in Dubrovnik participate in ‘Dubrovnik Wine Week’, offering custom-made menus in combination with local wines from the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
And you know, the weather in Dubrovnik in late April, early May is usually gorgeous, and the crowds are much smaller than during the summer, in case you needed extra incentive to visit the festival.
