Zadar marked by quality and humanity: the jubilee Wine ViP Event on 24 February at Hotel A’Mare
On Tuesday, 24 February 2026, Zadar will become one of the key stops of Croatia’s wine-and-gastro scene: the Zadar edition of the Wine ViP Event will be held at Hotel A’Mare, an event that in 2026 marks its tenth, jubilee year of activity and continuity in connecting tourism and hospitality professionals, producers, and educators. According to the organizers’ announcement, the event runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and brings together professionals from hospitality, tourism, and related industries, with an emphasis on education, tastings, and networking.
Zadar thus stands out as a logical backdrop: a destination that has recorded strong tourism growth for years, yet increasingly recognizes that “numbers” are not enough without raising service standards, strengthening an authentic offer, and delivering quality interpretation of local products. It is precisely at that level that the Wine ViP Event seeks to act—through topics that are practical for everyday work, yet broad enough to open a discussion about the direction Croatian gastronomy and tourism are heading.
For visitors planning to arrive from other cities or wishing to stay in Zadar after the program, the text repeatedly highlights an internal overview of options:
accommodation offers in Zadar.
Ten years of a platform that connects knowledge, products, and practice
In recent years, the Wine ViP Event has positioned itself as a series of events held in multiple cities, combining expert lectures, product presentations, workshops, and gastronomic demonstrations. The organizer of the Wine ViP Event is the agency Ricerca Mercato, and in public announcements the lead organizer is Dantes Begić. In the jubilee 2026 program, the charitable dimension is also emphasized: according to the organizer, almost €66,000 in donations has been collected through the Wine ViP Event so far, with €19,500 collected in 2025 alone—showing that events promoting a “premium” experience can also have a very concrete social purpose.
The Zadar edition fits into a broader schedule of events in February, and according to official announcements, entry to the program and educational sessions remains free, with a donation model that in practice is linked to participation in tastings and charitable activities. For those who want to combine a business visit with a short stay in the city,
accommodation options near the event venue are also available.
Hotel A’Mare as host: focus on urban Zadar and business gatherings
The event is held at Hotel A’Mare, a property that in recent years has positioned itself in Zadar’s offer as a modern city hotel, with an ambiance often chosen for smaller business and social gatherings. Its location in an urban part of Zadar in practice makes it easier to arrive both for local participants and for guests from other areas, and for those arriving earlier or staying longer, a logical choice is
accommodation for event visitors.
The program in Zadar: from first impression to “truth in the glass”
The organizers announce a program built on three pillars: education, wine-and-gastro presentations, and charitable content. The start is scheduled for 2 p.m. with a welcome drink Berryshka, followed by partner presentations and a local cooking show. The idea, as stated in the announcements, is to create an atmosphere in which knowledge is shared without formalism, but with a clear professional foundation.
Service education: why “Hello” often decides everything
The educational segment opens with a lecture by Gordana Hajtić titled
“Hello, please! – Tips for waiters and hospitality professionals”. The topic focuses on what guests notice fastest, yet is hardest to standardize: first impression, communication, consistency, and the way a team “holds” the service level at full capacity. In a season of high pressure—when speed, warmth, and professionalism are demanded at the same time—such “soft” elements are often the difference between an average and an excellent experience, which ultimately spills over into reputation, reviews, and guests returning.
Champagne vs. Sparkling Adria: a prestigious topic, a practical approach
The central part of the program is titled
“Champagne vs. Sparkling Adria – Truth in the glass”, and in Zadar it is led by Kristijan Harjač, a sommelier recognized in the Croatian profession for competition results and work in top restaurants. According to reports from gastro media, Harjač is a two-time Croatian sommelier champion (2023 and 2024) and is connected to the fine dining scene, which gives this topic additional weight.
A comparative tasting and expert explanation of differences is expected—from styles, production methods, and flavor profiles to guest expectations and presentation on wine lists. This format is especially interesting to hospitality professionals because in practice “sparkling wines” are not just a product, but also a tool: they are often the first choice when welcoming a guest, pair with a range of dishes, and not infrequently carry the greatest symbolic capital on the table.
Local products and a clear message: Zadar as a meeting of sea and inland
The continuation of the program includes presentations and workshops that put both regional and “neighboring” products in focus, emphasizing authenticity and quality.
Berryshka distillates: the story of a family distillery and the premium segment
A presentation of Berryshka distillates is announced under the guidance of Samo Kenda, the distillery owner, with participation by Jure Andrijašević (WSET Level 3 educator). Berryshka is, according to official brand information, a family story that evolved from producing essential oils toward premium distillates, and such products are increasingly finding their way into craft cocktail menus and digestif selections in hospitality.
Organic wines and olive oils: a shift toward sustainability and traceability
Organic wines and olive oils from the family farm of Radoslav Bobanović will also be presented, along with an educational workshop dedicated to the OIO Vivo brand olive oil. The message is clear: modern gastronomy functions increasingly poorly without a clear story of origin, traceability, and sustainability. In Dalmatia, where the olive is not only a crop but also an identity, quality oil becomes as important as wine—both for guests seeking authenticity and for restaurants aiming to raise standards.
“Meat and fish without worries”: a cooking show as an “idea laboratory”
The gastro presentation
“Meat and fish without worries” is announced as performed by chef Doris Vlah and guest chefs, with participation by students of the Hotel and Tourism and Hospitality School and Zadar restaurants Kornat and 2 Ribara, as well as guests from culinary competitions. This practically connects experience, youth education, and what Zadar naturally is in gastronomy: a place where fish and seafood meet inland techniques and a story of meat, sauces, and a modern interpretation of tradition.
For everyone who wants to stay in the city and experience a Zadar evening after the program, it is recommended to check
accommodation near Hotel A’Mare.
Charitable dimension: donations for the League Against Cancer Zadar
One of the strongest elements of the Zadar edition is the charitable segment. According to the announcement from the original program, during the event donations will be collected for
League Against Cancer Zadar, and the model is designed so that participants, with a voluntary donation, receive a quality tasting glass for use, take part in tastings and charitable content, including a prize draw and a cooking show with a tasting of local specialties prepared in a modern style.
The announcement states a donation of €10 that goes entirely to the League Against Cancer Zadar, including participation in the planned tastings and program. In recent years, this approach has proven to be a format that combines the “appeal of an event” and real help to the community—confirmed by earlier examples of cooperation between the Wine ViP Event and the League Against Cancer Zadar, about which the League has published reports on its channels.
A musical charity program is also announced featuring Boris Rogoznica, Marina Tomašević, klapa Diadora, Marko Zekanović, Anđela Malinka, and the GitMan duo, hosted by Tamara Šoletić. In practice, such content often attracts part of the audience who do not come primarily for professional topics, so the charitable goal gains additional reach.
Support from institutions and partners: an event that outgrows the local frame
According to the organizer, the project has been accompanied for years by institutional support, including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the Croatian National Tourist Board and the tourist boards of host destinations. In the Zadar context, the original announcements highlight Zadar County, the City of Zadar, the Zadar County Tourist Board, the Zadar City Tourist Board, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and the Zadar County Chamber of Trades and Crafts, with a donation from the Municipality of Poličnik.
Alongside institutions, an important part of the story are business-sector partners and producers: the announcement mentions permanent partners among winemakers, as well as companies from the supply and beverages segment. Such a mix is typical for professional events: on one side education and standards, on the other concrete products that tomorrow end up on shelves, in hotel minibars, or on wine lists.
What the Wine ViP Event means for Zadar and a season that is changing
In recent years, Zadar tourism has increasingly moved beyond the “summer peak” framework. The city and its surroundings are developing an offer that aims to live year-round—from cultural events and sports preparations to gastronomy that attracts audiences outside the main season. In that sense, the Wine ViP Event arrives at a moment when quality is not discussed only declaratively: hospitality professionals seek knowledge, producers seek channels, and guests increasingly seek a clear story and a standard that justifies the price.
For visitors from other counties and professionals who also use the event as an opportunity for a short introduction to the destination, it is practical to check in advance
accommodation for visitors in Zadar.
Free entry, but with a call to responsibility
The “free entry” model while encouraging donations directs attention to what is often decisive in tourism: reputation is built not only with money, but also with values. If the charitable segment is delivered in the announced scope, Zadar will gain another example of how events can simultaneously build professional competencies and help the community.
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