The past May weekend in the heart of the Dalmatian hinterland, in the town of Drniš, unfolded in an atmosphere of celebration dedicated to excellent wine and unforgettable socializing. The fourth edition of the Drniš Merlot Festival, held on 31 May and 1 June 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 year after year in the quality and scope of its program, showed that the charms of Drniš merlot and the rich offer are enjoyed not only by the residents of Drniš and surrounding places, 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 outstanding wines, taste the widely renowned cured-meat delicacies of the Drniš region, take part in educational and interactive workshops, and surrender to the rhythms of excellent music. The organizers proudly point out 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-class oenological experiences.
The beginning of the celebration: Tradition and expertise on the first day
The festival officially began on Friday, 31 May, 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 shaped by the skilled hands of master craftsman Ivan Mlađo Tomić. Mr. Tomić, guardian of this valuable heritage, not only handcrafts susci, but has also designed special machines for their production. Workshop participants had a unique opportunity to become acquainted with the process of making this unique cup from spruce wood, and even to try assembling it themselves, thereby directly contributing to the preservation of local tradition. The Drniš susak is not only a souvenir, but also a symbol of the rich viticultural history of this area, a reminder of the times when wine was drunk from wooden vessels that gave it a special aroma.
After the 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 winemaking 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 potential and challenges faced by merlot producers in this specific microclimate. The discussion covered the impact of climate change on grapevines, the importance of preserving the indigenous characteristics of merlot, and innovative approaches in viticulture and cellar management that can further improve the quality of wines from Drniš.
Unmissable flavors: Drniš prosciutto and a lavish 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 promoting and protecting this gastronomic gem, guests were introduced to Mr. Ante Reljanović from the renowned Pršutana Ružić prosciutto house. On the central town square in Drniš, visitors could watch the skill of slicing prosciutto live and, of course, taste this delicacy whose unique flavor comes from the traditional method of salting, gentle smoking, and long drying in the sharp Drniš bora wind. Drniš prosciutto proudly bears the European Union protected geographical indication, which further confirms its exceptional character and quality.
The central event of the festival was certainly the presentation and tasting of wines from numerous wineries. Their best merlot editions, as well as other varieties, were offered by established local producers and guests from neighboring counties. Visitors could thus enjoy the wines of Vizzulin Winery, whose dedication to quality and tradition results in full-bodied wines with rich aromas. Lasin Winery, known for its elegant and varietally distinctive wines, also attracted numerous lovers of a good drop. The Skelin family winery presented the fruits of its work from sun-drenched vineyards, while Parat Winery offered wines that reflect the specific terroir of the Drniš region. Vinoplod Winery Šibenik, with its long tradition of wine production, was also unavoidable, as was Drniški Vinogradar, which nurtures indigenous varieties. Džapo Winery (Dalibor Džapo) and Burnum Winery, inspired by the rich Roman history of the area, also presented their oenological assets. Ker-Vina and Vina Vinketa from the neighboring Zadar County should also be especially highlighted, demonstrating the breadth and connectedness of the wine scene. As in previous years, the festival was enriched by the presence and delicacies of dear guests from the Vrhunsko Vukovarsko Cooperative, bringing a touch of Slavonia and Baranja to the heart of Dalmatia and confirming the friendly ties and gastronomic exchange between Croatian regions.
The first festival evening was crowned by a musical performance from the well-known Šibenik band Fenix. Their energetic playing and popular hits created a wonderful atmosphere on Poljana, getting numerous visitors dancing and rounding off the first day of the festival in the best possible way.
Day two: Active exploration and in-depth tasting
Saturday, 1 June, 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 beauty surrounding it, such as the proximity of Krka National Park and the canyon of the Čikola River. Riding electric bicycles made it possible to enjoy the landscapes without excessive effort, while the stops along the way were dedicated to tasting top-quality wines from local producers. This segment of the festival fits perfectly into the growing trend of cycle tourism and active holidays, offering a unique way to get to know the region and its eno-gastronomic treasures. Many participants pointed out that this was a perfect combination of physical activity and hedonism, and an excellent opportunity to discover the hidden corners of Drniš and its surroundings.
One of the hallmarks of the Drniš Merlot Festival is certainly the expertly guided wine tastings directed by Daniel Čečavac, a respected Croatian sommelier who perfected his knowledge by obtaining the highest, fourth level of the prestigious WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) education in London. This year's tasting theme was exceptionally attractive: "The Right Bank of Bordeaux – a 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 meant comparing wines from the same vintage (in this case the excellent 2019) from different wineries, allowing deeper insight into producers' styles and the subtle differences brought by terroir and vinification. As Mr. Čečavac explained, the 2019 vintage on the right bank of Bordeaux produced 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 wines tasted ranged in price from around twenty to almost eighty euros per bottle, and each one, according to the sommelier, justified its value in its own way and showed exceptional quality. The aging potential of these wines was particularly emphasized, stretching from five all the way to twenty-five years, making them an excellent investment for wine lovers and collectors.
The second festival evening was enriched by a musical performance from the group Soulwarmers, whose infectious soul and funk rhythms got the audience dancing on Drniš Poljana and ensured another unforgettable night filled with good music and positive energy. Their performance was the perfect conclusion to a rich two-day program.
Support that guarantees the future
Holding such a demanding and successful event would not have been 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 Town of Drniš, and the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union 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 significance of this event and gave it their support. Media visibility was ensured by Radio Drniš, a faithful companion of all local events. Thanks to all of them, the Drniš Merlot Festival continues to grow, attracting an ever-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 oenological discoveries.
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