Breakfast in Srijem: hedonism under a century-old walnut tree

We love beautiful Srijem — its greenery, vineyards stretching to the horizon, golden sunflower fields and the smell of a fresh morning. It’s even better to have breakfast in Srijem, with sparkling wine, sumptuous local delicacies and good music. This is exactly the kind of hedonistic experience that the Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board and the Zagreb Sparkling Wine Salon have prepared, organizing the “Sparkling Srijem Breakfast” on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in the Papak vineyards at the Radoš location in Ilok.

Under the canopy of a century-old walnut tree, more than a hundred guests enjoyed the light breeze and the views of the vines that promise another bountiful harvest. The smell of freshly baked cracklings spread from the large cauldron, accompanying the lively notes of the “Two and a Half Men” band. The tables were richly decorated with everything Srijem had to offer: fragrant homemade bread and cracklings, duck breast and chicken liver pâté with Spačva truffle, thin and thick sausages, kulin, and ham that had been patiently aged for two years.

Cheeses of various textures and aromas were arranged on the trays, and for a touch of sweetness, there were homemade jams, yogurts, and fresh fruit — watermelons, peaches, and plums from nearby orchards. It was a special pleasure to dig into that contrast with your fork — sweet and salty, fresh and ripe, delicate and spicy — all accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine that brought out the aromas to their full potential.

Part of the event was the "Sweet and Blue" wine workshop, where predicate wines such as Traminer from Ilok Cellars IBB 2019 and Graševina Papak IBB 2019 were blind-tasted. These wines were skillfully paired with French blue cheeses (Roquefort and Bleu d'Auvergne), but also with a special Istrian cheese enriched with truffles. The French, nevertheless, dominated this aromatic stage, although the white chocolate with the aroma of roses paired with fragrant Traminer was a real discovery for the senses.

While some participated in the relaxed painting workshop Feel good & Paint and transferred colorful impressions to canvas, the winemakers held "En primeur Srijem" at 1:00 p.m. There, they presented new and award-winning labels such as Chardonnay Čobanković, Graševina Lisca Buhač, Frankovka Papak and Cabernet Franca from the Trs winery, announcing an exciting wine autumn.

It was a breakfast to remember — not just a meal, but a true festival of flavors, aromas, colors, and music, in the heart of Srijem, where tradition and modern hedonistic enjoyment meet in the most beautiful way possible.

More information: Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, visit@srijem-slavonija.com

Photo: Domagoj Sever and Vedran Čuljak