The re-elected president of the association of Istrian winegrowers and winemakers has been given a mandate for another four years, naming stronger international promotion of Istrian wines and the inclusion of young generations of winemakers among his priorities
Poreč, 24 July 2026 – At the Morosini-Grimani Castle in Svetvinčenat, Vinistra held its electoral assembly, at which Luka Rossi was re-elected president. Rossi thus enters a new four-year term, continuing to lead an organisation that has firmly positioned Istrian wines on the domestic and international scene in recent years.
Ahead of Vinistra lies a new period of development, in which one of the key tasks will be further strengthening the recognition of Malvazija Istarska and Teran on the international market.
After a term that delivered a series of important projects — from stronger international promotion of Istrian wines and appearances at the world’s leading wine fairs to raising the standards of wine judging — Rossi announces the continued transformation of Vinistra into an even stronger platform for the development and positioning of the Istrian wine region.
“Today Vinistra must be a strong support to its members, open new markets, invest in knowledge and education, and keep building the international visibility of Istrian winemaking. The challenges ahead are not small: the wine market is changing, competition is growing, and climate change demands new answers in the vineyards,” Rossi pointed out.
Projects that further cemented the position of Istrian wines
Istria was the first region in Croatia to draw up a Strategy and marketing plan for Istrian viticulture and winemaking to 2030, laying the foundations for stronger branding of Istrian wines, the development of wine tourism, quality improvement and the creation of new market opportunities.
In the previous term, Vinistra continued to develop its key projects — from the Vinistra international exhibition of wine and winemaking equipment, a new and improved system for the Judging of wines and spirits, and the World of Malvazija, to En Primeur, Open Wine Cellar Days and the exclusive Vintage by Vinistra events. A particular step forward was made in national visibility, with a new visual identity for both the association and the wine exhibition, and unified, modernised exhibition spaces presented at Vinistra’s 30th-anniversary edition in 2024.
Over the past four years, Vinistra has further consolidated its international position through appearances at ProWein in Düsseldorf, the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London and Wine Paris, as well as through cooperation with the Wine Museum in Bordeaux. A special place belongs to the Decanter Winners Showcase by Vinistra, which brings together the best Croatian winemakers awarded at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards.
Among the most important achievements of his term, Rossi highlights hosting the prestigious international competition Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, held in Poreč in May 2023, which further positioned Istria on the international wine map.
Bringing in the young generations of winemakers
“Our task is not only to preserve what we have achieved, but to create the conditions for Istrian wine to be even more competitive, more recognisable and more present on world markets. Thirty years ago, few could have imagined how far this story would go — and today we carry the responsibility to keep building on that success. The main goal is to connect the new generation of winemakers and create a platform through which they can cooperate, exchange experience and develop new ideas. It matters to us that the new generations are active creators of new trends and new values, with a modern approach to promotion and production,” said Rossi.
An important part of future development is therefore the inclusion of new generations of winemakers. Within the association, Vinistra has established GEN V, a body gathering more than 40 members of the new generations of winemakers, led by Gianna Kozlović — ensuring the continuity and long-term sustainability of the Istrian wine story.
Istria as the leader of Croatian winemaking
Luka Rossi enters his new term with the goal of keeping Vinistra among the key drivers of the development of Croatian winemaking — from vineyard and cellar to world markets.
“I take on the new mandate with the same responsibility as four years ago, but with even more experience and a clearer vision of Vinistra’s development,” Rossi concluded, thanking all Vinistra members for their trust, and his predecessors — Ivica Matošević and Nikola Benvenuti — for the solid foundations and successful leadership.
At the electoral assembly, alongside Luka Rossi, the winemakers elected Josip Barišić as vice-president of the association, and Ivan Damjanić, Lara Zgrablić, Marko Krstačić, David Deklić, Ivica Matošević, Nikola Benvenuti and Gianfranco Kozlović to the Supervisory Board. Ivan Marić remains Vinistra’s director for the next four years; he recently also took on the role of vice-president of the Wine Industry Association at the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
Foto: Merlo De Graia
