Join us for Ski & Wine on Sljeme, an exciting event that combines skiing, beautiful nature, exceptional wines, and support for a good cause!

This past weekend, Sljeme hosted the inaugural Ski & Wine event, which uniquely integrated sports, nature, premium wines, and a humanitarian focus to create an exceptional winter experience. The event successfully brought together enthusiasts of skiing, esteemed wines, and local culinary offerings while promoting sustainable tourism, supporting local producers, and advancing a noble initiative to assist children from the Special Hospital for Chronic Diseases of Children in Gornja Bistra.

The recent event has reaffirmed Sljeme's status as an optimal venue for promoting eno-gastronomy and sustainable tourism. Such developments present new opportunities for revitalising its offerings throughout the year.

The event was organised for the first time and was notably enhanced by its humanitarian aspect, supported by the Croatian Association of Ski Fans (HULJS). This organisation actively contributed to the planning and fundraising efforts for the Special Hospital Bistra. Through their participation, the association members increased the visibility of this noble initiative and motivated numerous attendees to contribute.

The participants engaged in tastings of high-quality wines from esteemed local winemakers, complemented by the picturesque winter landscape of Medvednica and carefully selected gastronomic offerings that enhanced this distinctive experience. A portion of the funds raised during the event is designated to support the initiatives of Special Hospital Bistra, thereby contributing to the enhancement of treatment conditions for its youngest patients.

As many as six renowned wineries from Zagreb County participated in this event: Philipecz, Tomac, Šember, Kos, Dobra Berba and Jagunić.

"At Sljeme today, we experienced an impressive display of enthusiasm for winter sports, complemented by an array of exceptional wines. The integration of skiing, high-quality sparkling wine, and a humanitarian objective rendered this festival distinctly remarkable," stated Nino Staničić Vidrač, president of the Croatian Association of Skiing and Snowboarding Fans (HULJS Ski). His remarks aptly encapsulate the essence of the event, where sports and culture converge to forge a unique narrative.

Petra Masnec, the director of the Tourist Board of the town of Jastrebarsko, has consistently contributed to promoting the Plešivica vineyard and its winemakers. This year, she significantly supported the Plešivica winemakers, enhancing the visibility of Plešivica wines at various events. Her efforts underscore the critical role of local collaboration in advancing wine and food tourism within the region.

The wine tastings were conducted with remarkable expertise by the renowned sommelier Darko Lugarić, who provided guests with in-depth insights into the characteristics of each wine and their ideal pairings with local cuisine. Additionally, a distinctive experience was offered by Monika Antolović, who showcased a selection of indigenous products through a presentation of homemade bread from the Family Farm Robić, accompanied by traditional lard. This combination allowed attendees to experience the authentic culinary heritage of the region.

Ivana Alilović, the Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, highlighted the significance of such facilities for the sustainability and enhancement of the tourist offerings in Sljeme.

Sljeme has hosted an event concept that seamlessly integrates sports, nature, gastronomy, and humanitarian efforts for the first time. This venue possesses a significant potential that extends beyond the winter season. Events of this nature are essential for attracting a broader audience yearly. The "Ski & Wine" initiative fosters sustainable tourism, supports local producers, and embodies a profound message of community and solidarity. We take pride in participating in an initiative that generates value for the community while assisting those in need, particularly the children at the Special Hospital Bistra.

The event attracted many visitors and reaffirmed the significance of integrating nature, sports, eno-gastronomy, and social responsibility in developing appealing and noteworthy tourist offerings.