Another edition of the traditional event Ivana Tropčić won the title of the Wine Rose of Vinodol. has concluded, organized by the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski and the Tourist Board of Vinodolska Municipality. Ivana Tropčić from Stativa Gornja near Karlovac was awarded the title of the new Ružica Vinodola. Originally, 11 contestants were expected to compete, but due to health issues, only eight participants took part in the competition. The crown was passed on by the outgoing Ružica, Neva Cuculić, whose term had been extended due to pandemic-related cancellations. The first runner-up was Hana Uremović from Ledenice, and the second runner-up was Ana‑Maria Peica Butković, a Rijeka native who fell in love with Novi Vinodolski. The title of “most charismatic Ružica” went to Anja Brkljača from Novi Vinodolski.

The contestants were: Tina Mataija, Anja Brkljača, Sara Đukić, Elena Nikolić, Ivana Dražić, Ivana Tropčić, Ana‑Maria Peica Butković, and Hana Uremović. Those who had to withdraw were: Marta Maretić, Dahlia Rosa Zajec, and Stelaura Vlahović.

The participants were introduced to the public one week prior in Bribir, followed by three evenings of competition in Novi Vinodolski — starting Thursday in the Pavlomir vineyards, then Friday and Saturday in the Old Town, with the winner officially announced at Frankopan Square.

Nine exciting games crowned the winner:

• Thursday evening: vineyard tasks — grape stomping, hand-pressing, and filling a container with water from a vessel

• Friday evening: domestic tasks — coffee grinding, making fig and laurel chains, and labeling bottles

• Saturday evening: wine-related tasks — sealing and unsealing bottles, pouring wine, and opening sparkling wine

The musical program included:

• Trio Novi (Thursday)

• Nebuloza company (Friday & Saturday)

• Bands Point, Venus, Swing, and the klapa Dišpet

On Friday and Saturday, visitors could also enjoy stalls with handmade crafts and local products, as well as three wine booths — Pavlomir, Eko Etno Selca, and the Kvarner Wines association.

“I’m quite pleased with how the event unfolded. Organizing was challenging given the short preparation time and ongoing coronavirus concerns, which unfortunately forced three contestants out. Nevertheless, I believe this is one of the biggest and most important events for Novi Vinodolski. We need to build on it: it’s an authentic story rooted in our region, reviving an era from the Frankopan days and celebrating winemaking tradition. In future, I’d enhance the wine segment and integrate new moments,” said Tena Peričić, Director of the Tourist Board of Novi Vinodolski. She also expressed gratitude to the City, the Cultural Centre, all sponsors — Pavlomir d.o.o., Katarina line, Adria Mare, Drveni val, Infinity design, RM nekretnine — and the grape and wine lovers’ association Wine Rose of Vinodol for being crucial to this event.