Wine under a redwood, in a castle or along the Drava River, here's where the attractive Slavonia and Podravina Festival is coming to, wine not!?

Wine under a redwood, in a castle or along the Drava River, here's where the attractive Slavonia and Podravina Festival is coming to, wine not!?

The sixth edition has been announced in Virovitica-Podravina County Slavonia and Podravina Wine and Snack Festival, wine not!? which will take place from September 11th to October 9th, with each weekend bringing a new location, a different ambiance and a new wine experience

The wine will be tasted under the canopy of a hundred-year-old sequoia tree, by the Vodice spring on Papuk, on the banks of the Drava River, in the birthplace of Petar Preradović, but also after a walk through the vineyards of Papuk - it was announced at a press conference held in the Small Town Hall of the Virovitica-Podravina County.

"Over the past six years, our festival has become synonymous with good wine, good fun and discovering the potential of our county. When we launched it, we knew that it could connect different parts of the county and our people and present them in a different way. Over the past ten years, we have invested almost 80 million euros in the restoration and development of our cultural and natural heritage, and events like this give these investments additional value and one more reason to come. When we talk about continental tourism, our county is not just a stopover, but a destination worth visiting and returning to."", he said Igor Andrović, Prefect of Virovitica-Podravina County.

September reserved for wine

"September in our county has already become reserved for enjoyment and discovering new experiences, and from the beginning of the festival we wanted to create a premium tourist product that goes beyond classic wine events. That is why visitors to the festival do not come just to taste wine, but through each event they get to know a different ambiance and story of our region. Synergy is extremely important for the success of our festival. All local tourist boards from our county, winemakers and OPGs participate in its organization, which gives us a program that connects municipalities and cities", she said Martina Jakelić, director of the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board.

She added that each of the seven stations brings a different concept, and this year, new content is being offered that further raises the level of the entire event. This approach has brought the festival recognition, and visitors return precisely because of the authentic and carefully designed experience. 

"When selecting wines from our local producers, it is important to us that they are available on the market, and we pay special attention to award-winning wines so that visitors have the opportunity to taste the best that our winemakers have to offer. Throughout this year's festival, we will present 25 wines, with each location bringing a different selection. The wine offering will be accompanied by local gastronomic snacks, and for the second year, we are also presenting local producers of strong alcoholic beverages. I believe that Slavonia and Podravina, wine not!? will be a great opportunity to enjoy, but also to discover new wines and flavors of our county.", said the oenologist Ivana Nemet, who has been leading festival tastings for all six years. 

Seven events from Bilogora and Drava to Papuk

The first stop of this year's Wine and Snack Festival of Slavonia and Podravina, wine not!? is Slatina. Wine Story Under the Sequoia arrives at EPIcentar Sequoia on September 11th, where wines and snacks will be served under the canopy of a giant sequoia tree. The day after, the festival moves to Virovitica, in Kino Park. Along with the tasting, there are also attractive wine games.

After that, it goes to Papuk Nature Park. In Slatinski Drenovac, on September 19th, Kapljica and Vodica will be held, next to the spring after which this place got its name. Along with the wines, there will be traditional miller's snacks.

And then DrávaOn September 25th, guests will enjoy the gardens of the former summer residence of Count Drašković, now the Drava Story Visitor Center, in Noskovci. Wine, Slavonian snacks and a view of the Drava will be an attractive combination.

The very next day, September 26th, follows Graveyard and Wine in the atmosphere of Preradović's heritage. In the birthplace of Petar Preradović, wine will be served along with gastronomic snacks prepared by students and mentors of the Stjepan Sulimanac High School.

For those who love outdoor activities, there will be an all-day wine marathon on October 3rd. Wine & Walk Orahovica. The route is 6,8 kilometers long and leads through the wine-growing region, with several stops for tasting wine and local products, of course by walking, all in a light hedonistic rhythm. At the end of the marathon, dinner is waiting for the Orahovačko Lake. Not bad as a reward for the six and a half kilometers traveled.

The festival ends on October 9th at Suhopolje in aristocratic style. The Evening of Noble Delights will be held in the basement of Janković Castle, with wines, local products and music.

The registration fee for each of the seven events is 22 euros, and the number of participants is limited. Depending on the location, there can be 40 to 50, and up to a hundred visitors at the marathon. Tickets can be purchased online at the website Tourist boards of Virovitica-Podravina County.