The digital breakthrough of Vinistra opens a new phase in the promotion of Istrian wines on international and domestic markets. The new partnership brings together Istria’s winemaking tradition and technological future. The associations Vinistra and ICT Istra signed a partnership agreement in mid-November with the aim of strengthening the international visibility of Istrian wines and encouraging innovation in agriculture and tourism. The agreement formalizes the cooperation of two exceptionally strong Istrian sectors – winemaking and technology.

“We share many values with the Vinistra association. We believe that this partnership will open new opportunities for affirming Istria as a place where one lives a high-quality and authentic life while working with globally competitive technologies. Over the past three decades, Vinistra has, through sectoral cooperation and the persistent work of its members and the association, elevated Istrian viticulture and winemaking to a level of global recognition. With the same mission – only in the field of technology – our association ICT Istra operates. We are pleased to conclude this partnership and look forward to exchanging knowledge, experience, and best practices in sectoral association, of which Vinistra is an excellent example,” said Dean Verbanac, president of ICT Istra, a non-profit association of IT professionals.

Vinistra announced a new era of digitalization

Luka Rossi, president of Vinistra, the association of Istrian winegrowers and winemakers, signed the agreement after returning from the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London, one of the world’s most prestigious wine events. At this renowned event, Vinistra is presenting for the second year with 16 wines selected by Caroline Gilby, a renowned wine expert and Master of Wine.

In addition to the promotion and presentation of wines in London, representatives of the Vinistra association also participated this autumn in the Malvasia Festival held at the end of October in Monemvasia, Greece. There, Istrian wines were presented as part of a broader European initiative connecting regions that share the tradition and love for malvasia. Renowned wine regions from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Croatia are included in this project.

“Performances in London and Monemvasia further strengthened the position of our association and our members on the dynamic international wine scene. Vinistra proudly continues the international promotion of Istrian winemaking, combining tradition, innovation, and global recognition, and our new era of digitalization through the partnership with ICT Istra will support us in this,” said Luka Rossi, announcing the earliest ever start of applications for the 32nd Vinistra wine and spirits competition and the 17th World of Malvasia.

“Applications opened on 17 November and close on 18 March. We will organize the evaluations in the week of 13–17 April at the Parentium Plava Laguna hotel in Poreč, and after that, from 8 to 10 May, we will gather in the Žatika hall in Poreč for the 32nd Vinistra,” said the president of Vinistra.