Ninth Days of Dalmatian Prosciutto and Wine in Vrgorac

The aroma of prosciutto, a glass of good, chilled drops and concerts under the open sky. The town at the top of the mountain once again becomes the centre of excellent snacks, wine and good entertainment, because on June 5 and 6, the ninth Days of Dalmatian Prosciutto and Wine are held in the City Park. Visitors can expect a rich program, from culinary presentations and prosciutto cutting competitions to professional meetings and evening concerts. Vrgorac will once again confirm its status as one of the most important centres of Dalmatian prosciutto production this year.

"The Days of Dalmatian Prosciutto and Wine have long since outgrown the scope of a local event and have become an event that brings together people from all over Dalmatia, but also our dear guests from Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. We want every guest to experience what Vrgorac is known for - hospitality, top-notch food, and a great atmosphere. This is not just a fair, this is a true celebration of our identity and a celebration of our people," said Vrgorac Mayor Mile Herceg.

The organisers, the Tourist Board of the Town of Vrgorac, and the Town of Vrgorac emphasise that the goal of the event is to connect producers, professionals and guests and to further promote the rich eno-gastro heritage of this region and the whole of Dalmatia. The program also brings an attractive entertainment part, so on Friday, June 5, the audience will be entertained by Stela Rade, while Saturday evening is reserved for a concert by Petar Grašo. As part of the event, a round table dedicated to the protected Dalmatian prosciutto will be held, with the participation of experts and producers of the "Dalmatian prosciutto" association. The challenges of production, preserving quality and positioning Dalmatian prosciutto on the domestic and foreign markets will be discussed.

"Vrgorac is the host of the largest and only fair exclusively for certified prosciutto, and in this way we are building a story that combines tradition, excellence in production and a modern tourist experience. We have connected with some of the world's largest prosciutto festivals, and every year we try to raise the event to a higher level, which visitors recognize and are happy to return to us and come in increasing numbers," said Željka Opačak, director of the Vrgorac Tourist Board.

Since 2016, Dalmatian prosciutto has been the holder of a European designation of protected geographical origin and one of the most recognisable Croatian gastronomic products.

"The story of prosciutto is a story that can be told throughout Dalmatia, including in Vrgorac. Prosciutto is much more than a delicacy, it is part of the life and tradition of this region. When you add to that good wines and people who know how to throw a party, then it is clear why people always enjoy coming to Vrgorac," points out Vlade Prančić, president of the "Dalmatian Prosciutto" association, while Vrgorac winemakers are particularly pleased that visitors are increasingly recognizing and seeking out the preserved old wine varieties Zlatarica Vrgorska, Trnak and Plavka, as well as other wines that bear the authentic stamp of this region.

Photo: Saša Petreković