At the ceremony in Poreč, great satisfaction was expressed with last year's harvest and a good tourist season was announced. It is an excellent introduction to the 27th Vinistra, which will be held outdoors in Poreč from June 18 to 20.

"The 2020 harvest in Istria was truly special, it produced great wines in extremely difficult circumstances. Love for the vine, persistence and effort always pay off, and this was shown by the evaluation results." These words of Nikola Benvenuti, president of the Vinistra association, can best summarize the impressions after the awards and diplomas won at the international wine and spirits competition and 12. To the world of Malvasia.

Five large gold medals, another 139 gold and 16 silver medals were awarded at the ceremony in Poreč.

Denis Bernobić from Markovac near Višnjan won the championship title in the category of fresh Malvasia, while Malvazija Collina from the 2016 winery Cattunar from Nova Vasa near Brtonigla is the champion in the category of mature Malvasia. Terran Barbarossa of Vina Tomaz from Motovun won the title of champion in the category of fresh teran, while in the mature category that title went to Santa Lucia wine from 2018 of Vinarija Kozlović from Momjan. In the category of mature Refoška, the champion is Capo d'Istria from 2013, produced by the Slovenian producer Vinakoper.

This year, 24 winemakers obtained the right to the label IQ - Istrian quality for the 2019/2020 Malvasia harvest. and seven winemakers for the 2017/2018 season. For the first time, four producers of strong alcoholic drinks for bisques and komovits received the IQ mark.

435 samples were submitted to the competition, of which 220 were from Malvasia, and Vinistra announced an additional improvement of the evaluation system in the coming years.

"We are happy and proud that these awards recognized our work and love for this work. Last year was very demanding, but in the end the results were even better than expected. We have reason to be optimistic because, according to the announcements, this season will be very beautiful. After the season comes the harvest, and with it a new round of enjoying our wines," said Motovun winemaker Klaudio Tomaz, who, in addition to the championship title for fresh terran, also won seven gold medals.

Istria County is also proud of its winemakers and winegrowers. "Vinistra is one of the most significant events in Istria, which is deservedly on the wine map of Croatia and Europe. It's a nice story about the peculiarities, customs and culture of our region, which enriches the offer and spreads the word about Istrian enogastronomy", said Ezio Pinzan, the county's head of agriculture.

The upcoming 27th edition of Vinistra, which will take place from June 18 to 20 for the first time outdoors, in Peškera Bay in Poreč, should be special.

"After a year's break, we expect great success at this year's event. It will be one of the nicest events this year, and visitors can expect top-quality wines and a beautiful ambience with a view of the old town of Poreč", announced Nikola Benvenuti.