With the traditional award giving ceremony of championship prizes, as well as platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals won in April at Vinistra Wine and Spirits competition and The World of Malvasia, the 31st Vinistra was officially announced.

Last night, winemakers and recipients of prestigious medals from this year's Vinistra Wine and Spirits competition and The World of Malvasia gathered at the Plavi Hotel of Plava Laguna for the awards ceremony, which was held under new, stricter criteria introduced in April.

This is the traditional introduction to Vinistra, the most attractive wine exhibition, whose 31st edition opens tomorrow, May 9, at the Žatika Hall in Poreč. At this premier wine event, which runs until Sunday, May 11, a record number of winemakers—90 in total—will be exhibiting, with the greatest interest expected to be drawn by this year’s champions and platinum medal winners.

Let us recall that the title of Best in Show at the 16th The World of Malvasia was awarded to Justina by Damjanić Wines, vintage 2019. Champion titles were awarded to Vina Dešković for the best young Istrian Malvasia 2024, Zigante Vero for aged Istrian Malvasia 2020, Tomaz Winery for the best young Teran 2024, Kozlović Winery for Santa Lucia Teran 2019, Slovenian producers Vinska klet Kralj for Refošk 2024 and Jogan for aged Refošk 2020, Pavlomir Wine House for Žlahtina 2024, and Vina Franković for Momjan Muscat Luna d'Oro 2021.

Last night, the IQ – Istrian Quality labels for Malvasias and Terans were also ceremoniously awarded. This year, 24 winemakers earned the right to use the label for Malvasia from the 2024 harvest and seven winemakers for Teran from 2022.

This year again, the award-winning winemakers were supported by the Prefect of Istria County, Boris Miletić, the Head of the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries and Water Management, Ezio Pinzan, and the Mayor of the City of Poreč, Loris Peršurić. They emphasized the importance of winemaking and viticulture for the economy and tourism of Istria, as well as the continuity of the Vinistra Association in creating new trends and promoting Istria's indigenous grape varieties.

Tickets for the 31st Vinistra are still available online—be a part of this wine spectacle. Vinistra is where wine stories begin!