Only two days separate us from the beginning of the long-awaited fourth edition of the Drniš Merlot Festival, an oeno-gastronomic event that celebrates the indigenous grapevine variety and the rich tradition of the Drniš region. Lovers of fine wines and local specialities are eagerly awaiting the two-day programme filled with renowned winemakers, educational workshops, expert panels, tastings and, of course, great entertainment. This festival is not only an opportunity to taste excellent Merlots, but also to immerse oneself in the authentic atmosphere of the Dalmatian hinterland, meet the valuable guardians of tradition, and discover why Drniš Merlot has gained the status of one of the most esteemed wine varieties in Croatia. The organizers, the Tourist Board of the Town of Drniš, have once again prepared a rich and diverse programme that will satisfy even the most demanding visitors.

Tradition and expertise on the first day of the festival

The festival opens its doors on Friday, May 30, 2025, in a unique way – with a workshop on making the Drniš susak, starting at 6 PM. The susak, a traditional wooden wine cup, once an indispensable part of every household in the Drniš region, today represents a valuable part of cultural heritage. Made mostly of spruce wood, this unique item symbolizes the connection between man, nature, and the tradition of winemaking. The art of its making is preserved from oblivion by master craftsman Ivan Mlađo Tomić, who will reveal the secrets of this old craft to workshop participants at his home workshop at Tomići 1, in Siverić. Due to the limited number of places, registration via the link is mandatory for all those interested in learning more about this authentic souvenir and perhaps trying their hand at making it. The art of making the susak, along with the bukara, is a protected cultural asset of the Republic of Croatia, which further speaks to its importance.

The official opening of the Drniš Merlot Festival is scheduled for 7 PM on the central town square, Poljana, in Drniš. This will be immediately followed by an expert panel discussion titled "The Importance of Drniš Merlot". The panel will be led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Željko Andabaka from the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, a distinguished expert in the field of viticulture and oenology. The discussion is expected to bring together eminent experts, winemakers, and representatives of relevant institutions who will discuss the significance of this variety for the Drniš region, its market potential, production challenges, and strategies for further branding and promotion. Drniš Merlot, although of French origin, has found its second home in this climate, yielding wines of exceptional quality, full-bodied flavour, and recognizable aromas, and the festival aims to highlight this distinctiveness.

To make the experience complete, an indispensable part of the first festival day will be the presentation of Drniš prosciutto. This world-renowned delicacy, protected by a geographical indication at the European Union level, is a symbol of the gastronomic offer of the Drniš region. On behalf of the Association of Drniš Prosciutto Producers, Mr. Reljanović from Pršutana Ružić will demonstrate the art of prosciutto slicing to visitors on Poljana and offer a tasting of this superb product, whose production tradition dates back to the Šibenik Statute in the 14th century. After the gastronomic introduction, the Zadar winery Ker-Vin, guests of the festival, will briefly present their wines, enriching the offer with their assortment. The evening will continue in a musical rhythm, as the popular Šibenik band Fenix will take the stage at 9 PM, guaranteeing a great atmosphere and entertainment late into the night.

Active Saturday: Cycling, tastings, and premium wines

The second day of the festival, Saturday, May 31, begins actively and attractively – with the "Merlot E-bike & wine tour" starting at 4 PM. This tour is an ideal opportunity for all lovers of nature, cycling, and, of course, wine to explore the beauties of the Drniš region in a unique way. The adventure starts from Poljana in Drniš, where participants will pick up electric bicycles and receive brief instructions about the route. The first stop on this wine journey is the Dalmacijavino winery, where a guided tasting of Merlot and other indigenous varieties is planned. After enjoying the drops from this renowned winery, the tour continues with a ride through picturesque field and forest paths, discovering the charms of untouched nature, to the Džapo winery, 16 kilometers away. There, participants can expect a new wine tasting, socializing with winemakers, and an opportunity to learn about their winemaking philosophy. After the tasting, a bicycle ride back to Poljana in Drniš follows, where the socializing continues at the festival. The registration fee for this unique oeno-cyclo-tourist adventure is 30 euros, and due to the limited number of places, registration is mandatory via the link. The organizers say: "Enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the Drniš region, with premium wines and electric bicycles!"

The evening programme on Saturday also takes place on Poljana in Drniš, starting at 7 PM, when visitors will once again have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of premium wines from local and guest winemakers. At 7:30 PM, Zadar winemaker Vinketa will present their wines, bringing a touch of the neighboring Zadar County to the festival. After them, the valuable team from Zadruga Vrhunsko vukovarsko will present themselves to the audience. This cooperative is already known to festival visitors for its excellent cured meat products, and this year they will surely delight again with their delicacies that perfectly accompany wine flavours.

A special treat for wine connoisseurs is scheduled for 8 PM – an exclusive "Bordeaux 2019 Vintage Wine Tasting by Daniel Čečavac, DipWSET". Daniel Čečavac, a respected wine expert with a WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) diploma, will take attendees on a journey through one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. The Right Bank of Bordeaux, with appellations such as Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, is known for legendary blends in which the Merlot variety plays a dominant role, giving wines characteristic perfumed notes of dark fruit, forest floor, and chocolate. The 2019 vintage in Bordeaux is considered exceptionally successful, and participants in this workshop will have the opportunity, through a horizontal tasting of wines from selected iconic wineries, to find out why Merlot reaches its peak precisely in this part of the world. The registration fee for this unique tasting workshop is an affordable 20 euros, and registration is, due to the limited number of places, mandatory via the link.

The end of the evening and the entire festival will be marked by a concert by the band Soulwarmers, starting at 9 PM. Their energetic performance and well-known hits will ensure that the fourth Drniš Merlot Festival closes in a cheerful and dancing mood.

Winemakers' offer and festival benefits

Entrance to the Drniš Merlot Festival itself is free for all visitors on both days. For those who wish to taste the wines on offer, tasting coupons are provided. For a price of 15 euros, visitors will receive a coupon that allows them to taste as many as nine different wines of their choice. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the diversity of styles and characters of Drniš Merlots, as well as other wines that will be presented.

Numerous wineries that form the backbone of the wine scene of the Drniš region and the wider region will proudly present their wines at the festival. The list of exhibitors includes: Vinarija Vizzulin, Vinarija Lasin, Vinarija Skelin, Vinarija Parat, Vinoplod Vinarija Šibenik, PZ Drniški Vinogradar, Vinarija Džapo (Dalibor Džapo), and Vinarija Burnum. Guests from the neighboring Zadar County are Ker-Vin and Vina Vinketa, and a special contribution will be made by Zadruga Vrhunsko vukovarsko, which, in addition to wines, will also offer its superb cured meat products, allowing visitors to enjoy the perfect pairing of food and wine.

Organizing such a significant event would not be possible without the support of numerous patrons and sponsors. The patrons of the fourth Drniš Merlot Festival are the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Tourist Board of Šibenik-Knin County, the Town of Drniš, and the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds. Sponsorship contributions were made by Drniški vinogradar and Coca-Cola. Media support for the festival is provided by Radio Drniš, which will cover all events and broadcast the atmosphere from Poljana.

The Drniš Merlot Festival has grown into a recognizable event that not only celebrates wine but also promotes Drniš as a destination of rich cultural heritage, excellent gastronomy, and hospitable hosts. We invite all lovers of wine, tradition, and good fun to visit Drniš at the end of May and be part of this unique wine story that attracts an increasing number of visitors every year, confirming the status of Drniš Merlot as a true gem of Croatian winemaking.