In its second year, the VIA VINO Festival encouraged visitors to explore the rich food and wine scene of Zagreb County. Over the course of three weekends and at several unique locations—from gently sloping vineyards on a hill above Ivanić-Grad, the fairytale setting of the historic Nespeš Manor, and the natural amphitheatre of Plešivica, to the hidden forest lodge Čardak in the Turopolje woods—hundreds of VIA VINO guests enjoyed spectacular evenings dedicated to premium wines and authentic gastronomy bearing the signature of Zagreb County.
“The VIA VINO Festival, held at locations just outside the capital, revealed to our visitors a unique blend of local gastronomy. Our menus were based on seasonal and traditional ingredients, including Turopolje pork and black Turopolje truffles, paired with premium wines and renowned family-run distilleries from Zagreb County,” said Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, organiser and initiator of the destination project VIA VINO.
The Richness of the Turopolje Forest on the VIA VINO Finale Menu
The final evening of the festival took place at the secluded Čardak Forest Lodge, surrounded by the dense and well-preserved Turopolje forest—the very source of many of the delicacies featured on the menu. Guests were welcomed by the ceremonial guard of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje, the Turopolje Banderium, while Juraj pl. Odrčić, Župan of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje, introduced the audience to the historical importance of the Turopolje forest.
Visitors had the opportunity to witness a live truffle-hunting demonstration, led by the experienced truffle dog Kali, whose successful finds delighted several guests.
The autumn VIA VINO menu at Čardak Forest Lodge featured creative bruschettas with pumpkin cream, dishes made from Turopolje pork, and the ever-present black truffles. Freshly prepared homemade pasta with shaved black Turopolje truffle was served, while the well-known VIA VINO menu also included local cold cuts with cheese and sour cream, as well as burgers made from locally sourced beef.
Premium Wines and Craft Gin from Family Distilleries
The diverse wine selection included sparkling wines, impressive amphora-aged wines from the Kolarić family, and the popular natural orange wines of the Jagunić winery. At the festival finale, visitors were also introduced to the “Grozd” Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers from Velika Gorica.
Wearable Souvenirs of Zagreb County
The Zagreb County Tourist Board combined tradition and contemporary trends in a unique, modern and wearable souvenir—bracelets inspired by the traditional Turopolje podgutnica necktie and poculica headpiece. The authentic and original design, created in collaboration with the Borboleta brand, was presented during this memorable Turopolje evening.
The festival concluded with a free open-air screening of the 2020 European Film of the Year, Another Round, and an invitation from the organiser, the Zagreb County Tourist Board, to the next edition of VIA VINO.
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