Kvarner Wines

The European region of gastronomy is both an international title, but also a global business and communication platform established by the International Institute of gastronomy, culture, art and tourism (IGCAT). To date, the title of European region of gastronomy has been adopted by 20 regions from 15 countries, and the goal of the platform is a holistic, systematic, planned and strategic connection of Gastronomy, Tourism and culture, as well as the exchange of knowledge and coordination of projects between the agricultural, educational, tourism and institutional sectors. This directly encourages regional development, strengthens the local community and builds the recognizability of the regions that have acceded to the platform.

Thanks to many years and continuous activities in the field of promotion of eno - gastronomy, from presentations of Kvarner cuisine nationally and globally, promotion of Kvarner restaurants offer, to education and connecting producers of indigenous food and wine, chefs, sommeliers and restaurant staff, solid strategic partnerships have been established between the Tourist Board of Kvarner and regional stakeholders – Primorje-Gorski kotar County, Faculty of Tourism and hospitality management and the Association of wine winemakers of Kvarner.

The action plan for the development of gastronomy of PGŽ is the foundation and landmark in all activities carried out by the Tourist Board of Kvarner. IGCAT has recognized the systematic work of the Kvarner tourist board on branding regional and local Eno-gastronomy and table culture through the development of regional quality labels and projects Kvarner Gourmet, Kvarner Food and Kvarner Wines.

The highlight of the project "Kvarner-European region of gastronomy 2026" will be in 2026. year, when the largest number of different events and projects undertaken in cooperation with stakeholders and partners will be held throughout the region. Kvarner will keep its title after 2026. years, and the establishment of partnerships between sectors will ensure the sustainability of the initiated projects.

In its bid for the European region of gastronomy, Kvarner under the motto “Food & “Food & heritage for the future – diversity is beautiful” heritage for the future – diversity Is beautiful”, put the focus on:

In the process of concluding partnerships and creating a network of associates on the project Kvarner – European region of Gastronomy, The Tourist Board of Kvarner gathered a strong community of ambassadors from the Primorje - Gorski kotar County. The ambassadors are top professionals in the sectors of gastronomy, hospitality, oenology and health tourism, and their achievements give special legitimacy to the project. These are: Daniela Kramarić (restaurant Plavi podrum, Volosko), Davor Andrić (hotel & restaurant Vila Barbat, Rab), Deni Srdoč (Hidden Wine Bistro, Rijeka), Dražen Lesica (restaurant Rivica, Njivice), Egle Katunar (House of wine Ivan Katunar, Vrbnik), Klaudio Jurčić (hotel & restaurant Bevanda, Opatija), Krunoslav Kapetanović (hotel & restaurant Navis, Opatija), Marinko Kauzlarić (hotel & restaurant bitoraj, Fužine), Nenad kukurin (Hotel & Restaurant Kukuriku, Kastav), Robert Benzia (Food & Wine Bar Ganeum, Lovran), Cyntia Vučaj (Villa Ariston, Opatija), Stiven Vunić (Tavern Zijavica, Mošćenička Draga), Tomislav Pavlešić (UNIRI and the Center for viticulture, winemaking and oil production), Vlasta Brozičević (Polyclinic Terme Selce, Selce), and sommeliers Mate Negulić, Josip Orišković, Alen Vukić, Časlav Matijević, Žarko Stilin, Monika Neral, Martina Škarica, Marinela Mrkonja, Lucija Marijević and Ines Matić Matešković.

By joining this international platform, Kvarner has been given the opportunity to participate in IGCAT projects, which ensures the region and its destinations and partners visibility, cooperation and recognition on the international market. Thus, The Tourist Board film " it's all about the taste” won first place at the Food Film Menu competition 2023. in the category” Linking rural and urban", a pastry chef Tea Vunić from Konoba Zijavica was invited to the expert jury of the European Young Chef Award 2023 project. The last in a series of awards is the one for Lošinj's traditional delicacy, krokant Crocantessa, which is the first place at the World Food Gift challenge 2024. in the category "Best innovation on tradition".