The Dobra Berba Winery in Sv. Jana served as the venue for this morning's panel discussion titled "One Wine Story – Croatia and Slovenia Raise a Toast to the Same Tale," which was conducted in conjunction with the 2025 Via Vino Festival. This event convened prominent figures in sustainable wine tourism from both countries, fostering dialogue on essential issues about the evolution of winemaking heritage into a responsible and sustainable tourism product. Emphasising the importance of respecting nature, community, and cultural heritage, the discussion aimed to establish a shared, sustainable cross-border destination within the EU InterWine project.
The discussion was held at Dobra Berba Winery in Sv. Jana convened a diverse group of participants, including environmental experts, winemakers, industry associations, representatives from local government, and professionals from the tourism sector. Collectively, they aimed to explore the potential of wine tourism as a catalyst for positive change, fostering a shared narrative for both Croatia and Slovenia. Among the panellists were Petra Boić Petrač from WWF Adria, Saša Štula of Dobra Berba Winery, Vlado Mikulčić from the “Grozd” Winegrowers and Winemakers Association in Velika Gorica, Katja Pinterič from Pinterič Wines in Slovenia, Filip Bernardić representing the Municipality of Pušća, and Andreja Mihelin from Mihelin Winery in Slovenia. Ivana Alilović, the Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, moderated the panel discussion.
"The Via Vino Festival continues to attract an increasing number of visitors each year, and we are pleased that this surge presents an opportunity to promote the InterWine project, which we regard with great pride. The Plešivica region is home to over 40 award-winning winemakers, including the highly esteemed biodynamic Tomac Winery. Our vision emphasises sustainable and regenerative development rather than mass tourism, aiming to preserve the authenticity and quality of our wine region. Through the 'One Wine Story' panel, we have effectively demonstrated that oenological culture and wine traditions can serve as a bridge connecting countries, cultures, and generations," stated Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
Petra Boić Petrač, Director of Communications and Donations at WWF Adria, posed a critical inquiry: Is it feasible for viticulture and wine production to be both sustainable and economically viable?
“Wine tourism offers considerable potential to illustrate how tourism can positively impact the preservation of landscapes, biodiversity, and local communities. However, the growth of eno-tourism also presents challenges, including increased water and energy consumption and greater waste generation. Wineries can act as educational centres, and vineyards managed through regenerative practices differ significantly from conventional methods. Initiatives such as eco islands, which use specific plants to repel pests from grapevines, can reduce the need for chemical and pesticide use. It is essential for winemakers and all stakeholders to recognise their responsibility to the land that sustains them” emphasized Petra Boić Petrač, WWF Adria’s Director of Communications and Corporate Partnerships.
Host Saša Štula outlined the philosophy behind Via Vino and similar events, noting, “We are fundamentally a winery; however, we organise these events to welcome new visitors annually. I encourage guests to explore additional nearby wineries, as this is central to the experience.” He exemplified the balance of tradition and innovation through Dobra Berba’s use of advanced technology, such as drone-assisted vineyard treatments and digital production methods, while preserving heritage in their sparkling wines, such as Piena, made from four local grape varieties. Other participants echoed this sentiment. Vlado Mikulčić highlighted the risks of urbanisation in wine-growing areas, while Katja Pinterič stated that initiatives like InterWine help small producers access new markets. Filip Bernardić discussed the collaboration between Sutla Valley and Bregi to enhance tourism offerings: “We aim to be a destination recognised for exceptional accommodation, gastronomy, and wine.” Andreja Mihelin concluded by emphasising the importance of cross-border cooperation, noting that proximity to major cities provides an opportunity to attract visitors through knowledge exchange.
Fifty students from the Zagreb Hotel and Tourism School made a notable contribution to the dialogue, representing the next generation of professionals in the region's tourism sector. These students acquired valuable insights into the interplay of tradition, ecology, and tourism, and how these elements can collectively foster a sustainable development model.
An EU Project Without Borders
The panel discussion is part of the EU initiative “InterWine: Connecting Cultural Heritage and Wine Tourism to Create a Sustainable Cross-Border Destination.” This project is co-financed by the Interreg Slovenia–Croatia programme and receives support from the European Regional Development Fund. With a total value of €1,383,080.02 and a duration of 30 months, InterWine is one of only six successful projects selected from a pool of 73 applications. The primary objective of the project is to enhance the significance of culture and sustainable tourism by developing a novel joint tourism product that integrates the cultural heritage and winemaking traditions of Croatia and Slovenia. The project partners include the Zagreb County Tourist Board, the City of Velika Gorica, the Municipality of Pušća, the Craftsmen’s Training Institute, the Brežice Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth, the University of Maribor – Faculty of Tourism, and the Posavje Museum Brežice.
Beginning at noon, the Via Vino Festival will present a ten-hour celebration of wine, pizza, and entertainment
After the panel concluded at noon, the Via Vino Festival continued with what it does best – a spectacular celebration lasting until 10 p.m. Visitors can look forward to premium wine tastings from local winemakers, perfectly paired with authentic pizzas crafted by The Pizza Whisperer, a renowned master of traditional Italian pizza. From midday to late evening, the atmosphere will be brought to life by a trio of popular event DJs – Mirzaisfab, Oysha and Leggero – whose dynamic sets will create the perfect soundtrack for socializing, conversation, and enjoying sparkling wines.
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