The Kvarner International Wine Trophy is the first national, international, professional, objective evaluation of wine in the Republic of Croatia. The Kvarner International Wine Trophy 2025 wine judging was held on March 7, 2025 in the PZ Gospoja pršutana in Vrbnik on the island of Krk. The wines were evaluated by 25 evaluators in 4 commissions, composed mostly of certified evaluators of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, oenologists, but also sommeliers and wine journalists. 256 samples of wine produced from 41 varieties of vine grapes, from 90 wine producers from 6 countries, were evaluated. The wines were evaluated using the internationally recognized method of 100 points, and based on the number of points achieved, the wines received the following awards:
14 championship awards were also awarded in the following categories:
The most successful winemakers in the Kvarner International Wine Trophy 2025 judging were ceremoniously awarded their diplomas at WineRi on March 21, 2025 at Exportdrvo in Rijeka.
The Kvarner International Wine Trophy is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Regional Development of the Republic of Croatia and European Union Funds, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Municipality of Vrbnik, the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Kvarner Tourist Board, the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Vrbnik, e-computing Pazin, dBoki, OZF Design, Printeo, Jamnica, Pekara Vrbnik and Gospoja pz.
The 2026 Kvarner International Wine Trophy will be held in Vrbnik on March 26th and 27th.
Applications open on February 16, 2026. and close on 16.3.2026.
while samples will be submitted no later than March 13, 2026.
This project has a bright future.
„"Despite all the regional evaluations in Croatia, there is still a need for a national, but still international, quality, objective and professional wine evaluation in Croatia, which places emphasis on the regionalization of Croatia and its specificities and on wines from indigenous Croatian grape varieties. And that is exactly the Kvarner International Wine Trophy. It is a project that has united all of Croatia, all four wine-growing regions, and in addition to the rich wine list submitted for evaluation, we have managed to gather wine experts from all over Croatia - from Erdut, Međimurje, Istria and Kvarner to Dalmatia. I am pleased that the first year has already shown a bright future for this evaluation, and the numbers support this - 260 wine samples, 41 varieties, 6 countries, 25 evaluators and 14 champions. The criteria for this evaluation were raised with the aim of getting closer to the major world evaluations, which are currently very popular, but also with the desire and goal of elevating this evaluation above other regional and local evaluations that we currently have. I am convinced that this evaluation will grow year after year, and together we will show that we can create a world-class evaluation, and thus build the future of the Croatian wine scene. With this evaluation, we are creating a relevant platform that goes beyond existing regional competitions and contributing to the recognition of Croatia on the world wine map.“
Dr. Ivana Puhelek
President of the evaluation committees
Winemaking, a tool for the development of rural areas in the PGŽ region
The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County has been nurturing a tradition of viticulture and the production of top-quality wines for centuries. From the Liburnian region, through the Kastav region to the wine-growing slopes of Vinodol and the islands, wine has always been a part of our identity and life. The establishment of the Kvarner International Wine Trophy competition represented an important step forward in the valorization of this tradition and its connection with a new, contemporary approach to branding and promotion.
This project not only confirms our wine excellence, but also places us alongside the most important European wine regions. We are proud that this further strengthens Kvarner's position on the European wine and gastronomy map, especially ahead of 2026, when we will proudly bear the title of European Region of Gastronomy.
Winemaking in our county is no longer just a tradition - it has become a tool for the development of rural areas, sustainable tourism and authentic offerings, and the Kvarner International Wine Trophy is a symbol of Kvarner wine excellence and cooperation.
I congratulate everyone who participated in the realization of the project. This is a step that has the flavor of this region and the strength of our unity.
Ivica Lukanovic
Prefect of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Winemaking, a tool for the development of rural areas in the PGŽ region
„"This project represents an important step in promoting Kvarner as a recognizable wine and gastronomy destination. Evaluating wines at an international level further strengthens our position on the European wine map and contributes to the development of local winemaking and tourism. The title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026 is a great honor for us, but also an obligation to continue investing in the quality, authenticity and promotion of our rich wine and gastronomy offer. I am pleased that the ambassadors of the Kvarner - European Region of Gastronomy 2026 project - Klaudio Jurčić, Daniela Kramarić, Lucija Matijević, Tomislav Pavlešić and Žarko Stilin - also participated in this project."”
Ph.D. Irena Perišić Živadinov
Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board
A turning point for Kvarner
„"I am extremely proud of the awards won by wines from Kvarner, from our international evaluation Kvarner International WIne Trophy in Vrbnik to the world's most prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards. First of all, I am proud of the fact that the vast majority of awards came for wines from autochthonous grape varieties of Kvarner, which is a message to us winemakers to continue working and expanding vineyards with autochthonous grape varieties. Sending wine for wine evaluation in order to confirm product quality is one of the three main marketing tools for brand positioning.I believe that our new Quarner Quality and Kvarner Wines Route projects will also contribute to this.We are also preparing a catalog for the HoReCa market with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The Kvarner International Wine Trophy project represents a milestone for Kvarner because through it we are creating a recognizable brand that will present our wine offering to the world. By launching this brand, we are rounding off the Kvarner wine marketing story alongside the existing brands of the Kvarner Wines Association, the International Wine and Gastronomy Festival WineRi and the Kvarner Wines Route, and are laying the foundations for the region's wine future."“
Anton Brusić, M.A.
President of the Kvarner Wines Association
Wine highlight of the year: Caterers delighted with the Masterclass of the Kvarner International Wine Trophy 2025 champion
The Masterclass presentation of the Kvarner International Wine Trophy 2025 champions, held on April 16 in Rijeka, aroused great interest among restaurateurs and wine professionals. In the exclusive atmosphere of the Wine&Co wine shop, award-winning wines from as many as 14 categories were presented, among which wines from indigenous varieties such as Žlahtina, Malvasia, Graševina and Plavac Mali stood out.
The caterers emphasized that this wine selection not only meets the high standards of the market, but also provides them with a concrete tool for raising the quality of wine offerings in restaurants, hotels and wine shops throughout the region. The event once again confirmed the growing importance of Kvarner on the European wine map and the importance of the extremely important and potent eno-gastro market of Kvarner as one of the most significant in Croatia on the way to becoming the first and only Croatian European Region of Gastronomy in 2026.
Statements from key participants:
Assistant Professor Ines Matić Matešković, Ph.D.,
sommelier and ambassador of the European region of gastronomy and the Kvarner Wines brand:
“"I am proud that within this Masterclass we were able to bring these wines closer to restaurateurs, sommeliers and wine professionals, because they play a key role in promoting quality to end consumers. Kvarner is clearly profiled as a region that, in addition to oenological excellence, also offers an authentic wine story."“
Dr. Ivana Puhelek,
oenologist and president of the judging panels:
„"The Kvarner International Wine Trophy showed that the Kvarner region, but also the whole of Croatia, has a lot to offer – from exceptionally well-groomed wines of international style to those distinguished by authenticity, terroir and strong local character. I was impressed by the diversity of styles and the balance of wines in almost all categories, especially in the segment of white and sparkling wines. I believe that this platform will continue to encourage excellence among producers, and the Kvarner wine scene will come to life even more strongly through the gastronomic and tourist offer."“
Daniela Kramaric,
sommelier and owner of the Plavi podrum restaurant:
„"As a restaurateur and sommelier, it is extremely important to me to have access to wines that carry a story, character and a high level of quality. The Kvarner International Wine Trophy Masterclass was an excellent showcase of exactly that – wines with an identity, which can stand alongside the greats on the world wine scene. I am especially pleased that wines made from indigenous varieties were among the champions, because these are exactly the wines our guests are looking for – authenticity that remains in their memories."“
The 2026 Kvarner International Wine Trophy will be held in Vrbnik on March 26th and 27th, with samples being submitted by March 13th, 2026.
Applications open on February 16, 2026. and close on 16.3.2026.
For more information
Kvarner International Wine Trophy
Sveta Nedija 5, 51516 Vrbnik
Phone: +385917639776
e-mail. kvarner.trophy@gmail.com
Kvarner Wines
Frankopanska 1, 51516 Vrbnik
Phone: +385917639776
e-mail. vina.kvarnera@gmail.com
