The focus of this year's edition of Zinfest is on presenting our local heritage as a global brand through the CROATIAN HOMELAND OF ZINFANDEL project, which is on its way to becoming an important component of Croatian heritage.
This year's edition of ZINFEST, the international Crljenak and Relatives Festival, will bring together numerous winemakers and wine lovers from November 13th to 14th in Marina Kaštela, where the focus will be on Kaštela's Crljenak, but also a rich wine offer with over 30 Crljenak and other traditional varieties from our region. This Festival will be a true paradise for wine lovers, where visitors will also be able to enjoy traditional dishes, namely the Dalmatian brunch, which was also tasted today during the presentation of the program, first in Marina Kaštela, and then in the Putalj tavern in Sućurac and Bedalov in Kambelovac.
The program of the 5th Zinfest was announced on Thursday at the Spinnaker restaurant in the Kaštela marina, and according to the organizers, this top wine event in Kaštela and Dalmatia, which is the ancestral homeland of Zinfandel and a top location for the production of this world-famous wine, obliges us to promote this exceptional product and symbol of our region in order to earn diamond status in every respect, but also to strengthen the recognition of our region.
During the three days of Zinfest, there will be an opportunity to socialize with passionate winemakers and winemakers to enjoy the traditional hospitality and festivities of the Zinfest celebration together. In addition, it is an opportunity to enjoy the best combination of freshly prepared local dishes combined with the best of the celebrated Zinfandel, said Srećko Radnić from the Zora cluster on behalf of the organizers.
"This Zinfest will offer wine lovers the most lavish offer so far, with as many as thirty wines from Crljenak/Tribidrag," he points out. Srećko Radnić, president of the Zora cluster and one of the organizers of the event.
- Visitors will be able to taste an exceptional number of unique traditional grape and wine varieties, while the programs will offer an unforgettable experience and a sense of staying on the Kaštela Riviera. They will enjoy the program 'Story of Wine', presentations by students and professors from catering schools, and signature gastronomic delicacies. This year, in addition to Dalmatian brunch competitions, a 'masterclass' will be organized, where the "Last Crljenak Harvest" will be presented. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the recognition of Kaštela and the awareness of the realization that Kaštela is the homeland of Zinfandel and that the Kaštela Crljenak is its direct ancestor - added Radnić, especially emphasizing that the festival is an opportunity to gather all winemakers and winegrowers in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
"It is a great honor and pleasure for us to participate in an event that celebrates the tradition and connection between food and wine," said the cooking teacher from the Split Tourism and Hospitality School, Lorenzo Pervan.
- As an educational institution, we want to convey to young people the importance of preserving cultural heritage and show that tradition is not something outdated, but the foundation on which we can build modern gastronomy. Through a combination of traditional dishes and Kaštela Crljenak, our students will present how the values of the past can be interpreted in a modern way, with pride and respect for our roots - said Pervan.
The importance of Zinfest for the city was confirmed and Antonia Kljaic, Head of Social Activities of the City of Kaštela.
- The city of Kaštela traditionally supports events that promote the preservation of indigenous foods and drinks. This event contributes to strengthening the cultural identity of Kaštela, Dalmatia, and the whole of Croatia - Kljaić pointed out, adding that the festival positions Kaštela not only as a tourist destination but also as a place rich in cultural and historical heritage.
At Zinfest, lovers of Dalmatian cuisine will be able to enjoy specialties such as orzo with seafood and tuna cruda, prepared by the famous chef of the Spinnaker Marine restaurant in Kaštela, Petar Božić, together with his colleagues.
- This is a unique opportunity for visitors to taste authentic Dalmatian dishes combined with top-quality wines from our region - said Božić.
- In addition to Crljenak, visitors will be able to taste other indigenous varieties such as Plavac, Babica, Opola and the increasingly popular Dobričić, while white wine lovers will enjoy Pošip and the rare Vlašak variety - he said Anton Kovac iz Putalj wineries in Kaštel Sućurac.
- The festival's emphasis is on Crljenak, but the offer will be diverse. It should be known that the production of Crljenak is an extremely demanding process and that each bottle represents the effort and dedication of the winemaker. It is very difficult to bring the grapes to an excellent quality that you can later handle in the winery and make top-quality wine - he said.
The festival offers the opportunity to participate in fun and educational wine schools or prepare traditional dishes and meet winemakers, enologists and sommeliers who have helped shape the best wines in Dalmatia. The event program will offer wine tasting workshops led by famous sommeliers, tasting traditional dishes prepared by top chefs and folk cooks, with a special emphasis on dishes from the Dalmatian brunch menu, as well as the presentation of interesting projects and initiatives.
Photo: press / Ivana Topić
