Lovers of the finest wine drop are impatiently counting down the days to one of the most anticipated oenological events in the region. Namely, there are only about ten days left until the grand opening of the fourth edition of the Drniš Merlot Festival, an event that will take place on May 30th and 31st in the heart of Drniš. This event, which year after year attracts an increasing number of visitors and experts, promises a rich program filled with educational workshops, interesting panel discussions, presentations by renowned winemakers, and, of course, outstanding musical performances and some exciting news.

If you are one of those who cannot imagine a day, let alone a gourmet meal, without a glass of refined wine, then the Drniš Merlot Festival is a destination you must not miss this spring. The organizer, the Tourist Board of the Town of Drniš, has this year again prepared a two-day spectacle that will satisfy even the most demanding palates and provide plenty of opportunities for learning and entertainment.

New visual identity and the symbolism of the blackbird bird

The organizers have ensured that the fourth edition of the festival also brings a visual refreshment. A new visual identity has been presented, the central motif of which is the bird blackbird. It is interesting that in oenological circles it is considered that the name of the merlot variety comes from the French word "merle", which is a diminutive for the bird blackbird. This connection probably alludes to the deep, dark color of ripe merlot berries, which resembles the feather color of this bird, also known for its fondness for sweet grapes. The esteemed designer Damjan Uzelac is responsible for the attractive new design, successfully conveying the spirit of the festival and the tradition of Drniš winemaking.

The Drniš region, with its specific microclimate and rich tradition of viticulture, is an ideal area for growing merlot. This variety, although of French origin, has found its second home here, yielding wines of exceptional quality, fullness of flavor, and recognizable aromas. The festival aims precisely to highlight this uniqueness and potential of Drniš merlot.

Tastings and winemakers: The heart of the festival

Entrance to the festival events will this year again be completely free for all visitors, which further confirms the organizers' desire to bring top-quality wines closer to the widest possible audience. For those who wish to actively participate in the tastings, coupons priced at 15 euros have been prepared. By purchasing one coupon, visitors will have the opportunity to taste as many as nine different wines, which is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the range of flavors offered by Drniš winemakers and their guests.

A number of prominent wineries will present their valuable products at the festival. Among them are Vinarija Vizzulin, Vinarija Lasin, the widely known Skelin, Vinarija Parat, then Vinoplod Vinarija Šibenik as one of the pillars of regional winemaking, Drniški Vinogradar who preserves local tradition, Vinarija Džapo (Dalibor Džapo) known for its enthusiasm, Vinarija Burnum with a touch of ancient history, and Ker-Vina. Particularly delightful is the participation of guests from the neighboring Zadar County, Vina Vinketa, who will bring a touch of a different terroir. In addition to top-quality wines, visitors will this year again be able to enjoy extraordinary cured meat delicacies from Zadruga Vrhunsko Vukovarsko, thereby further enriching the festival's oeno-gastronomic offer.

Visitors who decide to spend a few days in Drniš for the festival will find diverse accommodation options, from comfortable apartments to traditional stone houses.

Friday, May 30th: Tradition, profession, and music

The festival program begins on Friday, May 30th, with a unique workshop titled “Drniš susak: workshop on making traditional wooden items.” The susak is an indigenous wooden wine cup, traditionally made from spruce wood. This type of wood, which grows on the slopes of the nearby mountains Promina, Svilaja, and Dinara, gives the wine a specific, pleasant aroma. In the past, the susak was an indispensable part of every household in the Drniš region, and today it is preserved from oblivion by master craftsman Ivan Mlađo Tomić from Siverić, in his home workshop. Drinking wine from a susak is not just a tasting act; it represents a special experience that combines the aromas of wine and wood and encourages a sense of community and connection among those gathered. The free workshop will be held at Tomići 1, in Siverić, and due to a limited number of places, registration is mandatory via the online form.

The grand opening of the festival itself is scheduled for 7 PM on the central Drniš Poljana. The festival will be opened by an expert panel discussion titled “The Importance of Drniš Merlot,” which will be moderated by Associate Professor Željko Andabaka, PhD, a recognized expert from the Faculty of Agriculture. This discussion will certainly provide deeper insight into the significance of Merlot for the Drniš region, its potential, and future prospects. After the panel, at 8 PM, the Zadar winery Ker-Vin will briefly present its wines, giving visitors the opportunity to hear firsthand about the philosophy and passion behind their labels. The evening will continue in an excellent musical rhythm as the popular Šibenik band Fenix takes the stage at 9 PM, guaranteeing a great atmosphere and entertainment late into the night.

Saturday, May 31st: Active experiences, top tastings, and more music

The second day of the festival, Saturday, May 31st, begins actively and attractively. At 4 PM, the “Merlot E-bike & wine tour” starts, a unique cycling experience that combines enjoyment of the picturesque landscapes of the Drniš region with tastings of top-quality wines. The adventure begins on Poljana in the center of Drniš, where participants will pick up electric bicycles and receive brief instructions about the route. The first stop on this wine cycling odyssey is the renowned winery Dalmacijavino. There, participants will enjoy a guided tasting of Merlot and other indigenous varieties, getting acquainted with the characteristics of wines produced in this area. After refreshments and the first wine impressions, the tour continues with a ride through beautiful field and forest paths, all the way to the 16-kilometer distant Džapo winery. The ride along this route, facilitated by electric bicycles, offers an extraordinary blend of natural beauty and light recreation, suitable for various fitness levels. At the Džapo winery, participants can expect another guided wine tasting and an opportunity for socializing. After the tasting, the group returns by bicycle to Poljana in Drniš, where they can continue to socialize at the festival. The number of places for this tour is limited, so it is necessary to reserve your spot in time via the registration link. The participation fee is 30 euros.

The evening program on Saturday also takes place on Poljana in Drniš, starting at 7 PM, when visitors will once again be able to immerse themselves in the world of top-quality wines from local and guest winemakers. At 7:30 PM, Zadar winemaker Vinketa will present his wines, and after him, the valuable team from Zadruga Vrhunsko vukovarsko will present their cured meat products.

A special treat for true wine lovers is scheduled for 8 PM: “Merlot Blind Tasting selection by Daniel Čečavac, DipWSET.” Daniel Čečavac, holder of the prestigious DipWSET title, will guide participants through a blind tasting. The focus will be on wines from the right bank of Bordeaux, a world-renowned region where Merlot plays a dominant role in famous blends. Appellations such as Saint-Émilion and Pomerol are leaders on the right bank, and their wines are characterized by sophisticated, perfumed notes of dark fruit, forest floor, and chocolate. In this exclusive selection of iconic wineries, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a horizontal tasting of the extraordinary 2019 vintage and discover why Merlot achieves its peaks precisely in this part of the world. The fee for this workshop is an affordable 20 euros, and registration is mandatory due to the limited number of places, via the registration link.

The grand finale of the festival Saturday will be a concert by the band Soulwarmers, starting at 9 PM. Their energetic performance and infectious rhythms of soul and funk will surely get the audience dancing and round off this two-day wine holiday in the best possible way.

The significance of the festival for the branding of Drniš

Ivana Dujić, director of the Tourist Board of the town of Drniš, highlighted the importance of this event: “For the fourth year in a row, we are opening the tourist season with this wine event, which has truly significantly contributed to the branding and strengthening of the position of Drniš on the tourist map of Croatia. Merlot is a variety that is deeply rooted in the Drniš history and winemaking tradition. With this festival, we want to encourage as many winemakers as possible to produce Merlot, but also to make it easier for existing producers to sell and place their products on the demanding market. It is encouraging that the festival is becoming more interesting year after year to an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists, which gives us additional motivation to continue organizing and further improving the content.”

The Drniš Merlot Festival is not just an opportunity for wine tasting; it is a platform for education, networking of winemakers, promotion of local culture and gastronomy, and strengthening the tourist offer of the Drniš region. Through such events, Drniš positions itself as an unmissable destination for lovers of oeno-gastronomy, offering authentic experiences that combine tradition and contemporary trends.

Patrons and sponsors

The successful realization of such a demanding project was made possible by numerous patrons and sponsors. The Drniš Merlot Festival is held under the patronage of the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Tourist Board of Šibenik-Knin County, the Town of Drniš, and the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds. Sponsorship support was provided by Drniški vinogradar and Coca-Cola. The media sponsor of the festival is Radio Drniš, which will cover all events and broadcast the atmosphere from Poljana.

All roads at the end of May lead to Drniš – a town of rich history, extraordinary gastronomy, and, of course, top-quality Merlot. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this unique wine story!