The workshops and study visit held in Zadar County on 10 and 11 April 2026 brought together experts, producers, and lovers of high-quality local products with the aim of promoting oils from indigenous olive varieties and strengthening cooperation within the community.
The programme began at the Agricultural Education Center in Zemunik Donji, where Zadar County presented project activities and the NIR analyser for assessing olive oil quality, with a strong focus on sustainability and biodiversity. Participants were also introduced to examples of good practice implemented by the Zadar County Rural Development Agency (AGRRA) and Vinalia Consulting, a wine laboratory.
This was followed by a visit to the Plastić family farm (OPG Plastić) in Nadin, including a tasting of local products and an overview of good agricultural practices.
On the second day, activities continued at the City Market as part of the Tuna, Sushi & Wine Festival 2026, where indigenous olive oils from Zadar County were in the spotlight. During the workshop “Sea, Karst and Olive”, chef David Skoko, sommelier Ivan Stiblik, and olive oil expert Filip Erceg introduced participants to the art of pairing food, wine, and olive oil through tastings and practical demonstrations.
The programme also included educational olive oil tasting workshops and presentations of indigenous varieties, while the official award ceremony for olive growers further highlighted the importance of olive growing in the region.
The aim of the two-day event was to strengthen cooperation between producers, experts, and the local community through education, tastings, and joint activities, with an emphasis on preserving genetic diversity and valorising indigenous varieties.
Activities related to the promotion of indigenous olive oils were carried out within the framework of the Central BIC – Biodiversity Innovative Communities project, part of the Interreg Central Europe programme, co-financed by the European Union.