Wine Under a Sequoia, in a Castle, or by the Drava River
The sixth edition of the award-winning Wine and Bites Festival brings seven wine gatherings to seven locations in Virovitica-Podravina County, from September 11 to October 9.
The sixth edition of the award-winning Wine and Bites Festival brings seven wine gatherings to seven locations in Virovitica-Podravina County, from September 11 to October 9.
The sixth edition of the award-winning Slavonia and Podravina wine and food festival, wine not!?, encompasses seven wine gatherings at seven different locations. From September 11 to October 9, as announced at a press conference in the Small Council Chamber of Virovitica-Podravina County, wine will be tasted under the canopy of a century-old sequoia, by the Vodica spring on Papuk, on the banks of the Drava, in the house where Petar Preradović was born, and after a walk through the Papuk vineyards.
County Prefect Igor Andrović emphasized that over the past six years, the festival has become synonymous with fine wine, good fun, and discovering the county's potential. "When we launched it, we knew it could connect different parts of the county and our people, presenting them in a different light," said Andrović.
He added that over the past decade, nearly 80 million euros have been invested in the restoration and development of cultural and natural heritage, and events like this add value to those investments and give people another reason to visit. "When it comes to continental tourism, our county is not just a stopover but a destination worth coming to and returning to," the Prefect stated.
Martina Jakelić, Director of the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board, stressed that September in the county has already become reserved for enjoyment and discovering new experiences. "From the very beginning, we wanted to create a premium tourist product that goes beyond classic wine events. That's why visitors don't come just for wine tasting; through each event, they get to know a different ambiance and the story of our region," said Jakelić.
She also highlighted the importance of synergy in the organization, involving all local tourist boards in the county, wineries, and family farms, resulting in a program that connects municipalities and towns.
Enologist Ivana Nemet, who has led the festival's tastings for all six years, explained the wine selection criteria. "When selecting wines from our local producers, it's important that they are available on the market, and we pay special attention to award-winning wines so that visitors have the opportunity to taste the best our winemakers offer," said Nemet.
This year's festival will feature 25 wines, with each location offering a different selection. The wine offerings will be accompanied by local gastronomic bites, and for the second year, local producers of spirits will also be presented.
The festival's first stop is Slatina, where the Wine Story under the Sequoia arrives at EPIcentar Sequoia on September 11. Wine and bites will be served under the canopy of a giant sequoia. The next day, the festival moves to Virovitica's Kino Park, where, in addition to tastings, fun wine games are planned.
In Slatinski Drenovac, on September 19, Kapljica i Vodica will be held at the spring after which the place is named, within the Papuk Nature Park. Alongside wine, there will be traditional bites from the watermills. In Noskovci, on September 25, visitors will enjoy the park of the former Drašković family summer residence, now the Dravska priča Visitor Center, overlooking the Drava River.
Just a day later, on September 26, Grabrovnica and wine take center stage as part of Preradović Heritage, held in the house where Petar Preradović was born. Along with wine, gastronomic specialties prepared by students and their mentors from the Stjepan Sulimanac Secondary School will be offered.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, on October 3 there's the all-day wine marathon Wine & Walk Orahovica. The route is 6.8 kilometers long and passes through the vineyard area, with several stops for tasting wine and local products. At the end of the marathon, participants will enjoy dinner at Orahovica Lake.
The event concludes on October 9 in Suhopolje with an aristocratic-themed affair. In the cellar of Janković Castle, there will be an Evening of Noble Pleasures, featuring wines, local products, and music.
For each of the seven events, the participation fee is 22 euros, and the number of participants is limited. Depending on the location, it can range from 40 to 50 participants, while the marathon can accommodate up to a hundred visitors. Tickets can be purchased online on the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board website.
