“The magic of a Saturday morning is best experienced at a Kvarner sparkling breakfast in the vineyard,” concluded visitors after this year’s fourth edition of the event. Around two hundred guests enjoyed the hedonistic atmosphere of the vineyards of Pavlomir Winery in Novi Vinodolski, where the sparkling breakfast took place on Saturday, 6 June 2026, in partnership with the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board, the Kvarner Wines association and the Wine Stars project, based on the concept of Marija Vukelić, wine promoter and editor of the Wine Stars magazine.

This unique hedonistic event successfully promotes sparkling wines and the sparkling destination itself through a carefully designed programme that delights all the senses. A strictly limited number of guests allows for socialising in a convivial setting while also offering opportunities to retreat to a private corner on a bench, in the hay or beneath a tree. Every visitor enjoyed both shared and personal moments among beautiful decorative installations and picturesque photo spots created by the event styling agency “Čarolija – Details Make the Difference”. Premium Kvarner sparkling wines were paired with local ingredients, sweet and savoury delicacies served in the shade of a small grove overlooking three vineyards, accompanied by the soft and unobtrusive sounds of jazz music. The first part of the programme was dedicated to breakfast and sparkling wine tasting hosted by the winemakers themselves. At noon, guests attended a workshop pairing scampi with sparkling Žlahtina, followed by the “En Primeur Kvarner” presentation of new wine vintages from Kvarner wineries.

The lavish breakfast was prepared by the event’s partners. Alongside Pavlomir Wine House, Kvarner’s sparkling wines were presented by winemakers from the Kvarner Wines association: Ivan Katunar, Nada, Šipun, Plovanić, Ružić and Gospoja. Dedicated exhibition barrel stands were also hosted by Vina Karleuša, Bakarske Terase (PZ Dolčina), Vina Mandić and Anton Katunar.

The gastronomic offering was a true showcase of local producers. Guests enjoyed premium cheeses from Runolist (Krasno), MIH Dairy from Kolan on the island of Pag, Trivić Cheeses from Ogulin, as well as honey and fresh curd from the API Kvarner Cooperative in Krmpote. Traditional cured meat delicacies were provided by Gospoja, Maretić and Smjeli, alongside Buretić Bregi ham and specialties made from Black Slavonian pig and kulen sausage by OPG Karalić, Marić and OPG Pleša. The spread was complemented by homemade bread from the Grižane bakery, the traditional Bribir “prisnac” pie from Vagabundina Koliba and the indispensable Bakar baškot biscuit.

Premium extra virgin olive oil Oio Vivo arrived from Istria, while one of the event’s highlights was the unique Tonka’s fritule, served in both sweet and savoury versions. The sweet fritule featured a cream of dried figs, mascarpone and vanilla, finished with a ruby chocolate and sage dressing. The savoury version combined aromatic herbs, lemon and sage aioli, tobiko roe, olives and salted anchovies. A refreshing fruit interlude was provided by locally grown cherries from the nearby Uremović family farm in Ledenice, while the final sweet touch came in the form of chocolate pralines from Toš Patisserie in Crikvenica and the famous Rab Cake and biscuits from the island of Rab (Vilma Sweets).

The sparkling breakfast was officially opened by the Mayor of Novi Vinodolski, Tomislav Cvitković, host winemaker Miroslav Palinkaš and Marija Vukelić. The ceremony gained an extra touch of elegance when Pavlomir Wine House oenologist Marinko Vladić uncorked a three-litre Jeroboam bottle of Geni Pavlomir sparkling wine.

At noon, Marija Vukelić led a pairing workshop featuring sparkling Žlahtina and the highly prized Kvarner scampi prepared by the “Pod Orajom” tavern from Klenovica. The tasting was complemented by premium extra virgin olive oils Buža Vodnjanska and Žižolera from the Istrian producer Oio Vivo. Sampling the oils individually highlighted the characteristics that distinguish extra virgin olive oils from other types, helping guests make informed pairing choices not only with scampi but also with other Kvarner delicacies. The programme continued with “En Primeur Kvarner”, presenting selected new still wine vintages from participating wineries.

“Hedonism at its finest, refined and elegant” was the phrase most often used by delighted guests to describe the sparkling breakfast, adding that they are already eagerly awaiting the date of the 2027 edition.