Vrgorac - a green oasis of Dalmatian prosciutto and wine

Only a few dozen kilometers from Makarska or Ploče, positioned right next to the A1 highway, with a view of fruitful vineyards and orchards, is Vrgorac.

The town where Tin Ujević was born is situated at the foot of Matokit (the ridge of the Vrgorsko gorje), a unique combination of greenery and karst, telling wonderful historical stories, while also proudly showcasing how the hardworking hands of this region work diligently every day in their vineyards, orchards... Vrgorac is today an agricultural pearl, one of the largest food producers in Croatia, an interesting destination with rich tourist content, ideal for a peaceful vacation or weekend getaway.

It is considered one of the largest wine regions in Croatia, as confirmed by the fact that over 10 million vines have been planted in the fertile fields of Rastok, Jezero, and Bunina, where the Zlatarica Vrgorska, Trnka, and Plavka varieties flourish. Today, Vrgorac has over 450 family farms, with an annual production of 550 tons of strawberries, 900 tons of peaches and nectarines, and 1,200 tons of apples. The vineyards, whose vines proudly soak up the sun, cover a total of 2,963 hectares, which is 96 percent of the cultivated area.

Vrgorac is also the 'most prosciutto-producing' town in Croatia, with the largest prosciutto in Southeast Europe, which is supported by the fact that the Pivac brothers' prosciutto/drying house produces 300,000 pieces of prosciutto annually, of which 50,000 are certified Dalmatian prosciutto, delicacies protected by the EU geographical indication, and 2,500 tons of Dalmatian pancetta and buđola.

Already a traditional event that lasts from June 20 to 21, this year marks the beginning of summer! The Days of Dalmatian Prosciutto and Wine celebrate the flavors of tradition in one place, gathering and offering all the best from the Vrgorac region, all of Dalmatia, and beyond. The event is traditionally held beneath the medieval fortress of Gradina, in a unique Austro-Hungarian city park that tells the story of the region's cultural development.

-Vrgorac is a small Dalmatian town on top of a mountain, made famous by its people and their hardworking hands. Today, it is best known for its large-scale agriculture and Tin Ujević, but we are still waiting for the complete valorisation of its rich history. It was founded in the Middle Ages, while traces of life in this area date back to prehistoric times. It is unique with its medieval fortress, Gradina, Ottoman towers, a special Austro-Hungarian park, and a distinctive water reservoir from 1929.

Through the efforts of our ancestors, the bitter karst was cultivated. In this piece of the Mediterranean climate, a dynamic and original language, culture, and identity were created - the president of the Society of Friends of Vrgorac Antiquities, Prof. Branko Radonić, told us during a unique tour of Vrgorac. The walk is circular, and what is impressive is that the story of this city begins and ends in a beautiful Austro-Hungarian park, whose green attire will be complemented by the stands where this cult festival will be held.

- This year, we are also presenting Dalmatian prosciutto, but also protected prosciuttos from various regions (Istria, Drniš...) to our guests, while the wines they represent come from the most respected Croatian vineyards, including our Vrgorac region. The festival brings together the best prosciutto makers and winemakers from all over the country and abroad. This year, we are proudly collaborating again with the Parma Prosciutto Festival. Although our prosciuttos are somewhat different, we are bound by friendship, love for tradition, and a shared appreciation for a good party.

The Days of Dalmatian Prosciutto and Wine significantly contribute to the development of eno-gastro tourism, while also strengthening the Vrgorac brand as a destination that knows how to combine quality, production, and hospitality. This year, the novelty is that we are organizing additional events outside the park, in the very center of Vrgorac. Therefore, all lovers of good food will be able to have fun at the food gastro corner at the City Fountain.

On Friday, June 20, a team of renowned culinary stars and ambassadors of the international association ŠKMER (Association of Chefs of Mediterranean and European Regions), the legendary Stevo Karapandža, Željko Neven Bremec, and others, will arrive in Vrgorac, while the following day, Saturday, the culinary masters, the team of the SDŽ Chamber of Crafts, and their guests, will take over the chef's baton. In addition to the competition among prosciutto makers, festival visitors will also have the opportunity to showcase their cutting skills. Along with the fine food, we have also prepared a musical backdrop, announces Željka Opačak, director of the Vrgorac Tourist Board, who is not hiding that prosciutto and the festival's tradition attract an increasing number of visitors who discover and mostly fall in love with this green pearl of Dalmatia in this way.

With the Dalmatian Prosciutto and Wine Days festival, Vrgorac offers a unique experience for every traveler. Here, you can relax in silence, savour traditional and homemade dishes like peka (baked bread) served at the Borovac farm, and explore the destination during the day, in sync with the local population's rhythm. Get on a bike (you can rent one at Illyria Adventure) and dive into Jezero – that’s the affectionate name for the local field, once a real lake, and today one of the most beautiful natural landscapes of the Vrgorska Krajina region and a true green oasis of Dalmatia with endless orchards and vineyards.

This place combines the Mediterranean and continental climates, history and future, old and young, who often return to this area after school to continue the tradition. Jelena and Drago Nosić will tell you this story in their Poetica distillery in Vrgorac, where you can taste their signature cocktails served with top-notch snacks overlooking another Vrgorac field, Rastok, and show how the world-famous Ginspiration, a multiple award-winning gin, is made.

Continue cycling through the vineyards where winemaker Goran Franić will invite you for brunch and refresh yourself with Trnak wine in his vineyard. A little further on, winemaker Dario Gašpar will teach you a great deal about wine varieties, demonstrating the power of Zlatarica, a variety he is particularly proud of, through an interesting tasting. While you are in the field, fresh fruit awaits you - especially peaches and apricots, which have just started their season.

And when you thought Vrgorac showed everything, a surprise follows! For all lovers of active holidays, there is the Matica Vrgorska stream, which, imagine, flows in two directions for half the year in the southeast-northwest direction, and for half the year in the opposite direction, depending on the work of the spring. It meanders through the entire field, making this place so fruitful, and on one of the streams it also offers a unique kayaking range. Experience it with Illiria kayaking, which, as an agency with licensed guides, helps every lover of active holidays to have a complete experience. On a guided tour of this special river, you will experience the 'Croatian Amazon' but also learn how to refresh yourself during the long summer days.

foto: Nikola Zoko