After two days filled with wines, spirits, gastronomy, encounters and outstanding experiences, the 11th edition of WineOS by Graševina Croatica closed its doors. Judging by the number of visitors, smiles, comments and the overall atmosphere, the fair dedicated to wine, delicacies and the enjoyment of life celebrated its most successful edition to date. This year’s WineOS godmothers, Marija Ham, Ivana Soldo Čabraja and Marina Vojnović, also contributed to the wonderful atmosphere.
– Special thanks once again go to our godmothers, as well as to the godfathers and godmothers of previous WineOS editions who spent these two days with us, because for us, once a godparent – always a godparent. On behalf of the organising team, who did an incredible job this year, I would like to thank all exhibitors, business partners, the media and, of course, our visitors. The support we could feel throughout the fair made WineOS a truly unforgettable experience and set a high bar for us for next year – said Denis Despot, producer of WineOS.
Over the two days of the fair, WineOS welcomed nearly 5,000 visitors, including around 200 business guests from the HoReCa sector, distribution, the wine industry and tourism. This year, WineOS therefore served as a platform for business networking, as well as a meeting place for winemakers, professionals and an audience that knows what it is looking for in a glass. The importance of the event was further confirmed by exceptional media attendance, with 113 accredited journalists from Croatia and the region covering the programme and exhibitors throughout both days.
More than 150 exhibitors presented themselves at exhibition stands, on stages and at accompanying events, including wineries, distilleries, producers of gourmet delicacies, barrel makers and manufacturers of wine and viticulture equipment. Visitors had the opportunity to taste more than 800 wine and spirits labels, with around 5,000 glasses in circulation. More than 5,000 bottles of water were consumed during the fair, while more than 4,000 packs of savoury snacks were enjoyed between wines and conversations. Nearly two tonnes of ice ensured that wines were served at the optimal temperature throughout the event. More than 1,500 tasting portions of food were prepared on the gastronomy stage and at exhibitors’ stands, ensuring that the gastronomic component of WineOS fully met visitors’ expectations.
– WineOS 2026 exceeded our expectations. The numbers are impressive, but what makes us happiest is the atmosphere and the feeling that both exhibitors and visitors genuinely enjoyed themselves. Today, WineOS is a mature event with a clear vision and strong support from its audience – said Boris Ocić, President of the Dekanter Association.
One of the most eagerly anticipated moments was the People’s Choice competition, in which visitors cast a total of 5,496 votes to select the best wines and spirits of the festival. Awards were presented in the categories of white, rosé and red wines, sparkling wines and spirits. These awards, coming directly from the public, once again confirmed visitors’ trust in WineOS as a relevant and credible platform for recognising quality.
The highest number of visitor votes in the white wine category went to Bijeli muškat from Obiteljski podrum Zajec. In the rosé category, Rosé from Vinarija i destilerija K55 received the most votes, while Mercellus from Apostol winery received the highest number of votes in the red wine category. Coletti winery’s Blanc de Chardonnay received the most votes in the sparkling wine category, while Moostra plum brandy took first place among the spirits. Three lucky visitors received special editions of Belje Graševina with personalised labels as gifts.
A rich programme marked both days of the event, featuring numerous masterclasses, guided wine tours, food and wine pairing workshops and themed lectures, while Podravka’s chefs prepared dishes live on stage and presented contemporary gastronomic trends.
The collaboration with the Osijek-Baranja Police Department also attracted considerable public interest, with its stand continuously visited throughout the event. After tasting wines, visitors had the opportunity to take a breathalyser test, allowing WineOS to send a clear message about the culture of responsible alcohol consumption. Thanks to the exceptionally approachable police officers, the initiative was recognised as educational, useful and highly engaging. This year’s Eno-gastro Quiz by Dean Kotiga attracted as many as 21 teams, with the “Spojeni” team proving to be the most knowledgeable wine enthusiasts.
– This fair has become a key gathering point for the wine scene at the beginning of the year. It is not only a place where wines are presented, but also where contacts are made, knowledge is exchanged and new collaborations are initiated. This year’s edition demonstrated just how much interest in quality wines and serious wine stories continues to grow year after year – said Tomislav Panenić, Director of Graševina Croatica.
– WineOS 2026 concluded with more visitors than ever before, its richest programme yet and its best atmosphere to date. Osijek once again confirmed its position as the region’s wine hub in January, while WineOS by Graševina Croatica reaffirmed its status as an event that sets standards and raises the bar higher year after year – concluded Vinko Ručević, Director of the Fair.
The 11th edition of the fair was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. The co-organisers of the fair are Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Osijek, together with partners HGK, HAPIH, the Osijek-Baranja Police Department, OTP Bank, Maya water, Podravka, Filir, the Osijek Tourist Board and the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, as well as the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
