The event that attracted many wine lovers and foodies is the 'Dubrovnik FestiWine Gala', which took place on April 28, 2016 at the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel. The entire proceeds from the gala went to sponsor the young culinary talents of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

As part of this culinary and wine spectacle, carefully selected fine wines of Komarna vineyard were presented, accompanied by amazing delicacies prepared by Zdravko Tomšić, chef at the famous Croatian restaurant Draga di Lovrana, which is a part of the JRE Croatia, the association of the most creative chefs and a part of the world renowned Jeunes Restaurateurs. Chef Tomšić, who is also food consultant for the Adriatic Croatia International Club, joined Petar Obad, chef at one of the leading hotel groups in Croatia, the Adriatic Luxury Hotels.

Vinko Cvitanović and Luka Matić, the two young culinary talents who won FestiWine scholarships in 2015 and spent one month at the restaurant Pri Lojzetu – Zemono castle, assisted chefs Tomšić and Obad.



Aleksandar Noršić, renowned sommelier and a member of the Board of the United States Sommelier Association, selected wines for this special evening. Carefully designed courses were presented by the renowned food journalist, Sanja Krmpotić. Radovan Marčić, one of the MasterChef Croatia jury members and a well-known editor and maritime writer, led us through the evening with his expert knowledge.



guest chef Zdravko Tomšić

host chef Petar Obad

wines presented by sommelier Aleksandar Noršić

menu courses presented by food and wine journalist Sanja Krmpotić

Radovan Marčić led us through gala dinning experience



AMUSE BOUCHE

Plavac mali Rosé Syrtis 2015, Volarević

* Dandelion and potato soup with quail egg

and prosciutto hummus

* Roughly minced beef steak lightly seasoned with salt,

pepper, olive oil and fresh herbs

* Smoked sea bream fillet in olive oil, orange,

lemon and sage honey emulsion

* Tuna sous vide with wasabi and dijon mustard aioli

* Dalmatian ceviche

GALA MENU

Pošip 2015, Rizman

* Goat cheese with Adriatic prawns, wallnut dressing

and pea sprouts

Rusula Rose 2015, Rizman

* Herb-crusted sea bass fillet with cherry tomatoes and

scallions on a bed of Savoy cabbage Dalmatian style

Plavac mali Terra Madre 2012, Poljopromet

* Beef tongue with prawns and wild asparagus filling

in sweetbreads sauce

Plavac mali Sv Roko 2013, Saints Hills

* Lamb shank in truffle sauce on celeriac cream

Tribidrag 2013, Rizman

* Fried artichoke, curd cheese foam, red wine powder

and lemon ice-cream

Plavac Mali Syrtis Gold Edition 2012, Volarević

* Puff pastry raviolo filled with Williams pear concasse

in gorgonzola foam

The vines of Komarna vineyards, located in the region of South Dalmatia in the Dubrovnik- Neretva County, were first planted in 2008. The vineyards cover an area of 82 hectares. The soil is skeletal, composed mainly of limestone and very little earth, sloping up to 30%, with vines growing from the height of 250 m above sea level all the way down to the sea. The favourably positioned airy vineyards, facing south and southeast, have secured their winemakers the eco production certification. 92% of all planted vines are autochtonous Dalmatian varieties (Plavac, Pošip, Tribidrag, Maraština, Babić) and the rest are international varieties (Syrah, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Cabernet, Viogner). There are currently four winemakers from Komarna vineyards on the market (Saints Hills; Rizman; Volarević and Poljopromet); while another three winemakers have yet to produce their first wines (Modrozelena, Neretvanski branitelj and Deak). The wineries have established their own association - K7, which aims to control the quality of wines from Komarna vineyards and promote the common interests of the wineries and the development of rural tourism in the region.

Rene Bakalović, the first Croatian gastro nomad, wine enthusiast and Croatian cuisine promoter, will share and implement his oenological-gastro experience and knowledge into the first regional wine festival Dubrovnik FestiWine, held in Klarisa from April 24th to 26th, 2014.

Hedonist with rich life experience is a famous media persona who was part of many TV shows in last couple of years, including „Kod Ane“, „Okusi Hrvatske“, „Dugo toplo ljeto“, „Kruške i jabuke“, „Gastronomad“. He says:“ Wine is a social and cultural phenomenon with great potential that makes Croatia special, but is not promoted enough.“

Promotion and repositioning of local wines in Croatia's tourism offer and retaining status it deserves, is one of the primary goals of Dubrovnik FestiWine and Mr. Bakalović’s knowledge and experience will surely be of a great help.

Journalist of Jutarnji list and Dobra hrana thinks Croatia is one of the most interesting countries, in oenological and gastronomical sense. His passion for wine was definitely proven when he made his wife Jasminka angry by spending a fortune on a single bottle. ‘’It was Count Eltz's wine and when Jasminka found out I spent all the money we had on that bottle, she wanted to murder me.’’ – Rene remembers.

UK Times compared him to the globally famous ‘’Naked chef’’, calling him ‘’Croatia’s answer to Jamie Oliver’’.

Rene’s thoughts and interesting facts on wine and Dubrovnik FestiWine festival can be read since this Saturday, March 29th in Rene’s column ‘’Uz FestiWine’’ in local weekly newspapers Dubrovački vjesnik.

On Saturday, 30th ofApril at the President Dubrovnik Hotel, the closing Festiwine dinner was held, where the winners of the traditional wine competiton Dubrovnik FestiWine Trophy were announced.

The winner of the Dubrovnik Festiwine Trophy 2016 is 'Dingač selekcija 2008' by the Dingač winery from Potomje, which also won the trophy for the best wine of the Pelješac region, Best Plavac mali award, Best Diingač wine, Best red wine, and the Grand prix award. Pošip 2015 by the Blato 1902 winery from Blato, Korčula, was selected as the best white wine and won the Trophy for the best wine of the Korčula wineyard, the Best Pošip wine and the gold award. Volarević Rose by the Volarević vineyards won the silver award and is selected as the best wine of the Komarna vineyard.

Along with other recognitions at this year's Festiwine, all the winners were awarded trophies and medals at the festival's closing dinner party.

On behalf of the Festiwine, Vido Bogdanović thanked all the wine producers who participated at the festival, as well as all the sponsors, friends, supporters, and visitors of the festival.