With a ceremonial toast and the first glasses of sparkling wine from Baranja, the 11th edition of WineOS by Graševina Croatica, the wine, delicacies and lifestyle fair, officially opened at the Osijek-Baranja County Economic Centre. WineOS is the largest and most significant wine and gastronomy event in eastern Croatia.
The honour of serving as this year’s ceremonial godmothers of the fair went to Prof. Marija Ham, PhD, from the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, Osijek-based photographer and artist Marina Buljubašić Vojnović, and Ivana Soldo Čabraja, a prominent actress at the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek. With a symbolic toast, they officially opened WineOS, marking the beginning of a two-day wine event that once again places Osijek among Croatia’s leading wine and gastronomy destinations.
With its 11th edition, WineOS has entered its second decade, confirming its continuous growth and development. From its modest beginnings at the Archaeological Museum to a modern exhibition venue, the fair has brought together winemakers, delicacy producers, industry professionals and wine enthusiasts from across the region and beyond for the third consecutive year.
With its distinctive identity and strong influence on the wine and gastronomy scene in eastern Croatia, WineOS has become a meeting point for industry professionals, producers and an audience that knows how to recognise quality. It is precisely this synergy that gives the fair its strength and ensures its long-term sustainability, said Boris Ocić, President of the Dekanter Association and one of the fair’s organisers.
Tomislav Panenić, Director of the Graševina Croatica wine industry association, emphasised the importance of unity among winemakers from Slavonia and the Danube region, who gain a powerful platform for promoting their wines through WineOS.
– Graševina Croatica proudly supports WineOS because this fair showcases the potential of our wine region in the best possible way and raises the profile of Croatian wines – said Panenić.
Igor Mikulić confirmed that WineOS by Graševina Croatica has become a serious business platform where partnerships are established and new markets are opened for domestic producers. He emphasised that the Croatian Chamber of Economy recognises the importance of this wine event and will continue to support it in the future.
Hrvoje Hefer, Director of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, pointed out that WineOS promotes the quality of domestic production and encourages the development of the entire agricultural and food sector. Meanwhile, Jure Galić, Head of the Department for Support and Coordination of Tourist Boards at the Croatian National Tourist Board, highlighted the fair’s importance in promoting tourism in Osijek and eastern Croatia.
– WineOS is an excellent example of how wine and gastronomy offerings can be transformed into a strong tourism product – Galić stated.
Speaking on behalf of the City of Osijek, the Mayor’s representative Mato Lukić emphasised that WineOS has become an essential part of the city’s identity.
– There is a good reason why Osijek is being called Croatia’s wine living room these days, and I am pleased to see the event continue to grow and develop year after year – said Lukić.
Osijek-Baranja County has also provided continuous support to the fair since its third edition.
– Projects like this confirm the potential of Slavonia and Baranja and strengthen their recognition at both national and international levels. Osijek-Baranja County supports the development of winemaking, viticulture and the overall wine and gastronomy tourism offering. This is an important segment of tourism and one of the reasons why visitor numbers continue to increase year after year – emphasised County Prefect Nataša Tramišak.
This year’s edition, the largest WineOS to date, is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
– The Ministry of Tourism and Sport is always pleased to support projects that strengthen a destination’s competitiveness and extend the tourist season, and this event is a perfect example. Wine is an important part of Croatian identity, while wine tourism is becoming an increasingly strong reason for visiting a destination. Wine and gastronomy are among the top five reasons tourists choose to visit Croatia – said Sandra Posavec, Director of the Directorate for Sustainable Development and Public Tourism Infrastructure at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
In addition to the ministries’ patronage, the fair is co-organised by Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Osijek, with partners including the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK), the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH), the Osijek-Baranja Police Administration, OTP Bank, Maya water, Podravka, Filir, the Osijek Tourist Board, the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, and the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
– I am pleased to greet visitors and organisers on behalf of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Croatia has 17,000 hectares of vineyards, almost fifty percent of which are planted with Graševina – said Marinko Beljo, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia.
Throughout today and tomorrow, visitors can enjoy a rich programme featuring more than one hundred exhibitors, outstanding wines and delicacies, the Podravka Cooking Show, guided wine tours, the exciting HAPIH Blind Date, and a series of professional masterclasses led by renowned sommeliers. WineOS will also be open tomorrow, giving Osijek another day to celebrate wine, gastronomy and good company.
