WINE, GASTRONOMY AND LOCAL FLAVOURS: BARDAČA BRINGS TOGETHER WINE AND FOOD LOVERS

Bardača, near Srbac, hosted the “Bardača Wine Story” festival, bringing together regional winemakers, local food producers and enthusiasts of wine and gastronomy, while highlighting the area's potential for developing wine and culinary tourism.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

Held at Konoba Bardača, the event offered visitors the opportunity to enjoy free wine tastings, discover different wine varieties and sample homemade food and traditional local specialities.

A MEETING OF REGIONAL WINEMAKERS

The festival featured wineries Deklić and Damjanić from Istria, Sekulović from Trebinje, Pajić from Brčko, VinaM from Banjaluka and Fazan from Prnjavor.

Among the exhibitors was Pajić Winery from Brčko, established in 2013, which supplies the markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, with an annual production capacity of approximately 100,000 bottles.

Its range includes Sauvignon Blanc, Tamjanika, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as sparkling wines, late-harvest wines, grape brandy and cognac.

The Istrian wine selection also attracted considerable attention. Presented by Ljubiša Radonić from Gradiška, it focused particularly on Malvasia, an indigenous Istrian grape variety.

Visitors also had the opportunity to taste different styles of Malvasia, as well as extra virgin olive oils from Istrian producers, including the single-varietal Leccino and Buža oils, alongside Teranino liqueur.

LOCAL PRODUCTS ADD TO THE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE

Local products were another important part of the festival, with members of the Srbac Women's Association presenting a selection of homemade jams and traditional delicacies.

Particular attention was drawn to their spicy jam, which pairs well with wine, as well as a new blueberry jam developed in cooperation with the company “Naša Borovnica” from Stari Martinac.

The gastronomic offer was further complemented by products from Uki's Chocolate Fairy Tale, based in Potočani near Prnjavor.

REVIVING BARDAČA'S FORMER TOURISM APPEAL

The importance of the event for developing the area's tourism offer was emphasised by Srbac Mayor Mlađan Dragosavljević, who noted that the local community, together with the Tourism Organisation, is working to restore Bardača's former appeal.

The organisers aim to revive interest in the area through events of this kind, helping bring attention back to a destination that was once a well-known tourism centre.

Snježana Marić, director of Konoba Bardača, said the intention is to restore the spirit of the former Bardača through joint efforts involving local residents and visitors, following a period of reduced activity.

According to Marić, the area has recently been attracting an increasing number of motorhome travellers, including visitors from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia.

Although additional work is needed to improve the facilities and provide better conditions for motorhome tourism, the feedback from visitors has been positive, with many expressing their intention to return.

NEW ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

The organisers have announced plans for further events of a similar nature, aiming to establish Bardača as a meeting place for lovers of nature, gastronomy, wine and active holidays.

An important step in this direction is the reopening of Konoba Bardača after an extended period, with sports and recreational activities now available to visitors throughout the year.

The “Bardača Wine Story” festival represents another effort to bring the area's tourism potential closer to domestic and international visitors, while making local gastronomy and traditional products an integral part of its recognisable tourism offer.