At a ceremony held on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at the European Parliament in Brussels, the advisor to the Mayor of Mostar, Marin Čuljak, formally accepted the title “European City of Wine Dionisio” for the year 2024. This title is awarded by the European Network of Wine Cities (RECEVIN) with the aim of promoting destinations that have successfully combined tourism and wine into a compelling story. During the award ceremony, the representatives of USAID Turizam and the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VTK/STK) presented the Herzegovina Wine Route (HWR), with special emphasis on the city of Mostar.
“We are proud that Mostar has been declared the European City of Wine Dionisio for 2024! This prestigious recognition is proof of our rich tourist offerings, which, combined with wine production, provide an excellent reason for gastronomic tourists from all over the world to visit. We look forward to showcasing the unique tourism opportunities that Mostar and the entire Herzegovina region have to offer, especially through the Herzegovina Wine Route project. This title opens up new possibilities for the development of wine tourism and further promotion towards leading European destinations, as we stand shoulder to shoulder with cities from Spain, Italy, Portugal, and other tourism powerhouses.”
The title of European City Dionisio for the year 2024 is the latest in a series of accolades won by Herzegovinian winemakers and the Herzegovina wine region in recent times, including the declaration of the Herzegovina Wine Route as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe Iter Vitis, the award for Best Iter Vitis Wine City for Mostar, Best Sustainable Destination for Wine Tourism for Trebinje, Best Practice in the Promotion of Cultural-Historical Heritage and Wine for the Tvrdoš Monastery, and 39 medals for Herzegovinian wines at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards, the most prestigious wine competition in the world.
Herzegovina Wine Route presentation in European Parliament
These exceptional results have been spurred on by the numerous activities of the Herzegovina Wine Route, led by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with six local communities, and supported by the United States Government through USAID’s Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam) project.
“We sincerely congratulate Mostar on being declared the European City of Wine Dionisio for 2024! This prestigious recognition further highlights the significance of Herzegovina in the world of wine tourism. The Herzegovina Wine Route offers a unique and rich experience for wine enthusiasts, allowing them to enjoy the excellent flavors of our locally produced wines while exploring the unique cultural heritage of Herzegovina. We are thrilled with this recognition and dedicated to collaborating with the City of Mostar and the five other cities/municipalities covered by the HWR in developing this tourism product,” stated Darko Pehar, the Secretary of the Tourism and Hospitality Group in the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From Ljubuški and Čitluk in western Herzegovina, through Mostar, Čapljina, and Stolac in the central part, all the way to Trebinje in the southeast, the winemakers of the Herzegovina Wine Route have gained international recognition for their indigenous wine varieties such as Žilavka, Blatina, Vranac, and Trnjak. Wineries are the most visible part of the Herzegovina Wine Route, but it also includes many natural attractions, a rich cultural heritage, gastronomic offerings, and a unique culture of hospitality. For more information about the Herzegovina Wine Route, visit the website hwr.ba.
(Source: Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
