From 20 to 22 August, Novi Vinodolski will once again become the stage for one of its most distinctive and cherished events – The Wine Rose of Vinodol. Inspired by the centuries-old wine-growing tradition of the Vinodol Valley, this unique festival has spent more than two decades successfully combining heritage, wine culture, friendly competition and entertainment, attracting visitors from Croatia and abroad.

The festival draws inspiration from a historical custom dating back to the time of the Frankopan family, when, after the grape harvest, the most hardworking and graceful grape picker was chosen and honoured as The Wine Rose of Vinodol. Today, contestants compete for this prestigious title through nine engaging disciplines over three days. The challenges range from vineyard skills and traditional household tasks to wine serving and presentation, each highlighting a different aspect of Vinodol’s rich cultural heritage.

The introduction to the festival will take place on Friday, 14 August, in Bribir, where this year’s contestants will be officially introduced. Visitors can enjoy an exhibition competition in making traditional makaruni pasta, performances by Sergej Božić and Srđana Čolović, followed by an evening concert by Feedback Band.

The main competition begins on Thursday, 20 August, in the vineyards of Pavlomir Winery. Surrounded by beautiful vineyards, the contestants will demonstrate their vineyard skills while Antonio Krištofić and Trio Nebuloza provide live entertainment, complemented by an excellent selection of local food and premium wines.

On Friday, the festival moves to the picturesque Old Town of Novi Vinodolski, where contestants will compete in traditional household challenges accompanied by Trio Nebuloza. At the same time, the band Insula will entertain visitors on Croatian Veterans’ Promenade.

The grand finale takes place on Saturday, 22 August, also in the Old Town. Accompanied by Trio Arka, the contestants will compete in the final wine-serving and presentation disciplines before the Wine Rose of Vinodol 2026, her runners-up and the Miss Congeniality title are announced. The winner will receive valuable prizes, including an Adriatic cruise for two and an autumn weekend getaway in Rovinj. The evening will conclude with performances by Petar Dragojević and Trio Mirakul.

Alongside the competition, visitors will also discover the story of wine. On Frankopan Square, the Wine Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, offering the opportunity to taste premium wines from Croatia’s renowned wine regions and discover new wine experiences. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the specially created Novljanski Pijat, a signature dish prepared exclusively for the festival using local ingredients to showcase the authentic flavours of the Novi Vinodolski region.

This year, Vinodol Law Square will focus on preserving local traditions through demonstrations of traditional crafts and a fair of local products. Visitors can explore basket weaving, blacksmithing, herbal traditions, raku pottery, wood carving, mosaics, wool felting, tatting, traditional games and many other crafts that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Vinodol.

Year after year, The Wine Rose of Vinodol proves that tradition can be vibrant, engaging and contemporary. The unique blend of wine, gastronomy, music, customs and friendly competition offers visitors an unforgettable way to experience Novi Vinodolski.

From 20 to 22 August, Novi Vinodolski will once again celebrate its most beautiful wine story – one where tradition is not only preserved but truly brought to life.

The festival is organised by the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board and the Vinodol Municipality Tourist Board in cooperation with the City of Novi Vinodolski, the Municipality of Vinodol, the Novi Vinodolski Cultural Centre, Pavlomir Winery, the “Ružica Vinodola” Association of Grape and Wine Friends, the Kvarner Wine Association, KUD Ilija Dorčić and the Novljansko Kolo Chair of the Čakavian Parliament. The event is supported by the Kvarner Tourist Board and the Croatian National Tourist Board, while sponsors include Katarina Line, Adria Mare Travel Agency, Bartelo Mali, Skipper, API Kvarner, Leut Gallery & Souvenir Shop, Zola Floral Atelier and Pavlomir Winery.