For our winemakers, this is confirmation that their work is of world-class value. Every dry-stone wall, every vineyard, and every family preserving the Žlahtina variety is now part of an award-winning global story, the Kvarner Wines association proudly announced after the Kvarner Žlahtina Wine Gift Set was named the world's best corporate gift at the international World Food Gift Challenge 2026, held as part of the World Region of Gastronomy event in Crete.
The project was jointly developed by Kvarner Wines and the Kvarner Tourist Board. It serves as an excellent example of how eno-gastronomy, design, heritage, and destination marketing can be combined into an internationally recognized premium product. It emerged from the collaboration of numerous partners, creatives, wine professionals, and sommeliers who are collectively building Kvarner’s identity as one of Europe’s most authentic wine regions.
The exclusive glasses for Žlahtina were crafted by the Italian company Italesse; Špenko produced premium wooden souvenir boxes using wood from Gorski Kotar; and Tramontana Wood Craft and Patrick created an exclusive corkscrew featuring a body made of olive wood from Cres. The label’s artistic identity was created by Marijan Mavrić, designed by OZF Design, and printed by Printeo.
Today, Žlahtina is more than just a grape variety; it is becoming an international symbol of Kvarner’s identity, the Kvarner Wines association notes, emphasizing that they are not stopping there. We are continuing to vigorously develop the Žlahtina – Wine Queen of Kvarner and Kvarner Wines Route projects, part of the European cultural route Iter Vitis with the aim of further positioning Kvarner among Europe’s most recognizable wine and gastronomic destinations, Kvarner Wines team point out.