The symbolism of the moment was not accidental. Kvarner is the first, and so far the only, Croatian European region of gastronomy, and it is precisely through the projects of Kvarner Wines that title is transformed from a protocol to a substantive category. It is not just about the promotion of wine, but about the long-term articulation of the region's identity through gastronomy, autochthonous varieties and professional management. Frano Ridjan led the program and reminded that in 2025, Kvarner Wines participated in more than 60 events in Croatia and in key broadcasting markets: from Italy and Austria to Slovenia, Hungary and Serbia. This is not the result of enthusiasm, but of organization.
Magnum bottles of sparkling wines
Instead of classic speeches, the Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić, the Prefect of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Ivica Lukanović, the Mayor of the City of Rijeka Iva Rinčić, the Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board Irena Peršić Živadinov, the President of the Kvarner International Wine Trophy Ivana Puhelek and the ambassadors of the Kvarner - European Region of Gastronomy project Ines Matić Matešković, Lucija Matijević and Monika Neral addressed the audience via video link. They symbolically opened magnums of sparkling wine from Žlahtina, as well as the president of the Association for 2026, Egle Katunar, and the director of Kvarner Wines, Žarko Stilin.
The collaborative model implemented by Kvarner Wines through the Kvarner Wine Cooperative serves as a case study of successful wine marketing in Croatia. Systematically connecting winegrowers and winemakers with the HoReCa sector and distributors—backed by a clear market strategy—has proven far more effective than individual efforts. The quality of wines made from indigenous varieties, already validated by international accolades, is now complemented by a clear narrative: a sense of belonging, local pride, and conscious consumerism. This level of professionalism, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, other state agencies, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Kvarner Tourist Board, and numerous local institutions, has positioned Kvarner Wines as one of the most prominent players on the Croatian wine and gastronomy scene—distinguished not only by its visibility but also by the substance of its work.
Expanding Vineyard Areas
In cooperation with Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, a program for the development of viticulture and winemaking in the county was created—a strategic document clearly defining three key goals: wine branding, quality improvement, and the expansion of vineyard areas. Operationally, the program relies on education, marketing, digitalization, and smart agriculture, with a special emphasis on indigenous varieties. Today, Kvarner Wines brings together the region's most important wineries—spanning from Vrbnik and Vinodol to Krk and Kastav—and drives projects that have already set a standard: WineRi, one of the few wine fairs in Croatia with a clear market function; the Kvarner International Wine Trophy, a competition that insists on certified judges; membership in the Iter Vitis route; and the development of the Kvarner Wines Route platform, which links wine with gastronomy, tourism, and cultural identity.
In 2026, the focus intensifies further. WineRi returns to Exportdrvo on March 13 and 14, the Kvarner International Wine Trophy will take place in Vrbnik in late March, and the Kvarner Wines Route will be registered as a Council of Europe Cultural Route. Additionally, more than 70 activities are planned in Croatia and abroad, in cooperation with key partners. Five years after its inception, Kvarner Wines demonstrates that wine can be more than just a product: it can serve as a tool for regional development, a serious cultural initiative, and a commercially relevant project.