The past May weekend in the heart of the Dalmatian hinterland, the town of Drniš, was marked by a celebratory atmosphere dedicated to excellent wine and unforgettable socializing. The fourth edition of the Drniš Merlot Festival, held on May 31st and June 1st, 2025, exceeded all expectations, attracting a record number of visitors and once again confirming its status as an unmissable eno-gastronomic event. This event, which grows in quality and program scope year after year, showed that the charms of Drniš merlot and the rich offer are enjoyed not only by the residents of Drniš and surrounding areas, but also by numerous guests from neighboring towns and an increasing number of foreign tourists eager for authentic experiences.

Over two days, visitors had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of extraordinary wines, taste the widely renowned cured meat delicacies of the Drniš region, participate in educational and interactive workshops, and surrender to the rhythms of excellent music. The organizers proudly emphasize that the success of the festival lies in the synergy of the local community, the dedicated work of winemakers and all involved stakeholders, and the growing recognition of the Drniš wine region as a destination offering top-notch enological experiences.

The Beginning of the Celebration: Tradition and Expertise on the First Day

The festival officially began on Friday, May 31st, in the picturesque village of Siverić, where an exceptionally interesting workshop on making the Drniš susak was held. This traditional wooden wine cup, an authentic souvenir of the Drniš region, is skillfully shaped by master craftsman Ivan Mlađo Tomić. Mr. Tomić, a guardian of this valuable heritage, not only handcrafts susaks but has also designed special machines for their production. Workshop participants had a unique opportunity to learn about the process of making this unique cup from spruce wood, and even try their hand at assembling it, thereby directly contributing to the preservation of local tradition. The Drniš susak is not just a souvenir, but also a symbol of the rich viticultural history of this region, a reminder of times when wine was drunk from wooden vessels that gave it a special aroma.

After an introduction to traditional skills, the program continued with an expert panel led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. sc. Željko Andabaka, an indispensable name when it comes to oenology and viticulture in Croatia, especially in the context of the Drniš region. His lectures and analyses always attract great attention from the professional public and winemakers, and this year the focus was on the potentials and challenges faced by merlot producers in this specific microclimate. Discussions covered the impact of climate change on grapevines, the importance of preserving the autochthonous characteristics of merlot, and innovative approaches in viticulture and winemaking that can further improve the quality of wine from Drniš.

Unmissable Flavors: Drniš Prosciutto and a Rich Palette of Wines

What would a wine festival in Drniš be without a tasting of the famous Drniš prosciutto? On behalf of the Association of Drniš Prosciutto Producers, which tirelessly works on the promotion and protection of this gastronomic gem, Mr. Ante Reljanović from the renowned Pršutana Ružić presented to the guests. At the central town square, Poljana, in Drniš, visitors could watch the skillful art of prosciutto slicing live and, of course, taste this delicacy whose unique flavor comes from the traditional method of salting, gentle smoking, and long-term drying in the sharp Drniš bura wind. Drniš prosciutto proudly bears the protected geographical indication of the European Union, which further confirms its exceptionality and quality.

The central event of the festival was certainly the presentation and tasting of wines from numerous wineries. Established local producers and guests from neighboring counties offered their best editions of merlot, as well as other varieties. Visitors could thus enjoy wines from Vinarija Vizzulin, whose dedication to quality and tradition results in full-bodied wines with rich aromas. Vinarija Lasin, known for its elegant and varietally recognizable wines, also attracted many lovers of fine wine. The Skelin Family Winery presented the fruits of its labor from sun-drenched vineyards, while Vinarija Parat offered wines that reflect the specific terroir of the Drniš region. Also unmissable were Vinoplod Vinarija Šibenik, with a long tradition of wine production, as well as Drniški Vinogradar, which cultivates autochthonous varieties. Vinarija Džapo (Dalibor Džapo) and Vinarija Burnum, inspired by the rich Roman history of the area, also presented their enological assets. Special mention should be made of Ker-Vina and Vina Vinketa from the neighboring Zadar County, demonstrating the breadth and interconnectedness of the wine scene. As in previous years, dear guests from Zadruga Vrhunsko Vukovarsko enriched the festival with their presence and delicacies, bringing a touch of Slavonia and Baranja to the heart of Dalmatia, and confirming friendly ties and gastronomic exchange between Croatian regions.

The first festival evening was crowned by a musical performance by the famous Šibenik band Fenix. Their energetic performance and popular hits created a great atmosphere on Poljana, getting numerous visitors dancing and rounding off the first day of the festival in the best possible way.

Second Day: Active Exploration and In-depth Tasting

Saturday, June 1st, began in an active spirit with the Merlot e-bike & wine tour. Participants in this increasingly popular combination of recreation and enogastronomy had the opportunity to ride through the picturesque landscapes of the Drniš region, discovering the natural beauties that surround it, such as the proximity of Krka National Park and the Čikola River canyon. Riding electric bicycles allowed enjoyment of the scenery without too much effort, and stops along the way were dedicated to tasting a selection of premium wines from local producers. This segment of the festival perfectly fits into the growing trend of cyclotourism and active holidays, offering a unique way to get to know the region and its eno-gastronomic treasures. Many participants emphasized that this was a perfect blend of physical activity and hedonism, and an excellent opportunity to discover hidden corners of Drniš and its surroundings.

One of the trademarks of the Drniš Merlot Festival is certainly the expertly guided wine tastings directed by Daniel Čečavac, a respected Croatian sommelier who honed his knowledge by achieving the highest, fourth degree of the prestigious WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) education in London. This year, the tasting theme was extremely attractive: "The Right Bank of Bordeaux – horizontal tasting of wines from the 2019 vintage." Participants had a rare opportunity to taste wines from five carefully selected wineries from famous appellations such as Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, where the merlot variety plays a dominant role. Horizontal tasting involved comparing wines of the same vintage (in this case, the excellent 2019) from different wineries, which allows for a deeper insight into producers' styles and the subtle differences that terroir and vinification bring. As Mr. Čečavac explained, the 2019 vintage on the right bank of Bordeaux yielded wines of exceptional concentration, yet at the same time, they retained freshness and elegance, even with relatively high alcohol levels ranging between 14.5% and 15%. The tasted wines ranged in price from about twenty to almost eighty euros per bottle, and each, according to the sommelier, justified its value in its own way and showed exceptional quality. The aging potential of these wines was particularly emphasized, ranging from five to as long as twenty-five years, making them an excellent investment for wine lovers and collectors.

The second festival evening was musically enriched by the group Soulwarmers, whose infectious soul and funk rhythms got the audience dancing on Drniš's Poljana and ensured another unforgettable night filled with good music and positive energy. Their performance was the perfect end to a rich two-day program.

Support That Guarantees the Future

Organizing such a demanding and successful event would not be possible without the strong support of numerous institutions and sponsors. The patrons of the fourth Drniš Merlot Festival were the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board, the City of Drniš, and the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds. Their contribution is crucial for the further development and promotion of the festival, as well as for positioning Drniš as an important eno-gastronomic destination. Valuable sponsors, Drniški Vinogradar and Coca-Cola, also recognized the importance of this event and provided their support. Media visibility was ensured by Radio Drniš, a faithful follower of all local events. Thanks to all of them, the Drniš Merlot Festival continues to grow, attracting an increasing number of wine lovers and confirming that Drniš and its merlot have a bright future on the wine map of Croatia and Europe. The enthusiasm of the organizers and visitors guarantees that this beautiful wine story will continue in the coming years, with even richer content and new enological discoveries.