Wine day 2021

For more than twenty years, the last Sunday of May in Istria was traditionally reserved for "Wine day - Day of open wine cellars", until the outbreak of the pandemic last year, which made it impossible to organize large and small events everywhere in the world, including these, as well as numerous others in Istria. However, the favorite Istrian eno-event is coming back to the joy of all lovers of a good drop of wine, as well as lovers of walks through natural and cultural-historical landscapes.

The 21st edition of Wine day - Day of open wine cellars will be held on May 30, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Istria and in compliance with all epidemiological measures. Everyone who wants to travel along the wine roads, tasting the best wines in charming places throughout Istria is more than welcome.

57 wineries from six Istrian clusters will open their doors to visitors: Northern Istria (with the largest share of wineries), Poreština, Central Istria, Eastern Istria, Rovinjština and Southern Istria.

During the announced hedonistic experience, most of the most famous varieties of wine will be offered, from Istrian Malvasia, Teran, Muscat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon to excellent coupages and numerous other varieties, as well as the winning wines from the last 27th Vinistra exhibition - undoubtedly something for everyone.

At the same time, it is an opportunity to take a look at attractive and authentic wineries, unique tasting rooms and family estates where guests will be welcomed by friendly hosts, with pleasant wine stories and tastings, as well as the opportunity to buy premium bottles. This year, in addition to wine, four wineries will offer visitors spirits from their own production, and two producers will exclusively offer strong alcoholic beverages.

Also, among the 57 wineries participating in the wine event, seven wine cellars will charge for the tasting - three wineries each from the area of northern Istria and Poreština and one from the area of Rovinj.

Due to the epidemiological measures, the number of places in the wine cellars will be limited, therefore, in order to ensure adherence to the prescribed epidemiological measures, with the recommendation of the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Istrian County, the organizers have stipulated that visitors announce and book a visit in advance, because otherwise, without a confirmed reservations, the host has the right to refuse (in addition to the above, masks are mandatory).

The Wine Day project was presented for the first time in Italy in 1993 under the auspices of the "Movimento per il turismo del vino" association from Montalcino in Tuscany. The initiative was launched because none of those responsible in wine tourism recognized the huge potential that was offered. Apart from rare exceptions, the majority of wine cellars in Italy were not accessible to guests. Since 1998, Sonoma Valley in California, the Suntory company with properties in Japan, the province of Yamanashi (east of Tokyo), Stellenbosch (JAR), Conarwarra (Australia), Mendoza (Argentina) and regions in Chile and Uruguay have also been included in the project. , thus taking on the characteristics of a real global movement. In 1999, the Goriška brda and Istria were included in the Wine Day project for the first time, and after a very successful first edition (37 wine cellars and about 800 visitors), the event over the past twenty years has become an unmissable event and a recognizable trademark of Istria.

The organizers of the event, the Association of Winemakers and Vinegrowers of Istria "Vinistra", the Tourist Board of the County of Istria and the County of Istria invite all interested parties to mark Sunday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in their calendars.

A leaflet with a list of wineries and their offer and event conditions can be downloaded from www.istra.hr.

Wine day is a kind of prelude to the big wine event Vinistra, which will be held in Poreč from June 18 to 20 this year, but unlike previous editions, outdoors.