At the initiative of the Crmnica Local Community, the Bar Municipality, the Bar Tourist Organization, and the Crmnički Vranac Winegrowers and Winemakers Association, the 28th annual Wine and Bleak Festival was held in Virpazar on February 28 and March 1, 2026. The weather was more than favorable during these days.
For nearly three decades, this festival has brought together winemakers, fishermen, home-made food producers, and guests from all over Montenegro and the region, celebrating the rich viticulture and fishing traditions of Crmnica.
Program
The festival began on Saturday, February 28, with a ceremonial opening at 11:00 AM. Performances on the first day included the folklore ensemble “Rumija,” Rajko Joličić, the group “Akademia,” Milena Čeranić, and Nikola Bušković. An award ceremony for the best song about wine was also held.
On the second day—Sunday, March 1—the cultural and artistic society “Edinstvo,” the vocal group “Assa Voce,” and the group “Perper” took the stage. Awards for the best wine were also presented that day, which, according to the organizers, further highlights the quality and potential of local producers.
Wine Competition and Professional Judging
This year’s competition included 26 exhibitors, presenting a total of 66 wine samples. The evaluation of the young wines from the 2025 harvest was entrusted to the reputable company “Plantaže 13. Jul,” which, according to the organizers, confirms the serious and professional nature of the event.
Awards are available in the following categories:
- Wine with the highest expert rating;
- Best Crmnica wine;
- Gold, silver, and bronze medals for red, white, and rosé wines.
Roundtable: “Vranac” and the Lake’s Fish Resources
A separate section of the program included a roundtable discussion, which took place on Saturday, February 28, at 4:00 PM at the Skadar Lake National Park Visitor Center in Virpazar. The professional forum discussed two key issues for the local community, agriculture, and the environment in Montenegro:
- “Vranac Today and Tomorrow: Trends in Winemaking and the Prospects of an Indigenous Montenegrin Variety”;
- “The State of Fish Stocks in Lake Skadar.”
Environmental Emphasis and Treats
This year’s festival also carried a clear environmental message: protect Lake Skadar.
Therefore, the organizers decided not to offer bleak (ukljeva, an indigenous fish species of Lake Skadar) in order to make a concrete contribution to protecting this species, especially during the fishing ban. Instead, guests were offered other fresh lake fish—no less delicious and prepared in accordance with local traditions. Guests will receive the following free of charge:
- 200 liters of homemade wine;
- 200 kilograms of fresh lake fish.
Results, Medals, and Winners
The annual festival, which featured 66 wine samples, was thoroughly analyzed by Plantage. The 30 medals awarded included silver and gold awards for wine quality, as well as recognition for “Best Wine Festival” and “Best Wine.”
The name of the best wine was reportedly associated with the Ražnatović Winery, and a separate award—”For the Largest Wine”—was given to the Buk wine. The recipient of this award was Miloš Rajković from the Buk Winery (Bukovik village), who emphasized that the winery traditionally participates in the festival and sees this as an additional opportunity for further development. His words echo the same festival tone, familiar to anyone who has ever visited Virpazar:
“…they are good hectares… and the cooperative year produces 12 to 13… Zadovolenny smo ov sledom… i nadamo se… proizvodstvo predstavitelst sve bolia i bolia vina,” Rajković noted.
The award for the best wine festival is also mentioned in connection with Pedža Ražnatović of Ražnatović wine. He, in turn, speaks of the importance of the organization and the public’s response, mentioning the estate’s geography: Danilovgrad, Bjelopavlići, and the vineyards “in Riječka, near Drušići,” emphasizing that public reaction is the best test of quality:
“…Our wines are from Danilovgrad, from Bjelopavlići… the grapes are in Riječka, near Drušići… this is odzivom i reaktsija… da, doprinimo negovogo kachestva,” Ražnatović said. Sports: 200 Meters – Olympic Event
The program’s sports event, the 200-meter race (Olympic event), also deserves special mention. Milutin Šoć, a member of the Svetiņik Kayak Club from Podgorica, was named the winner; Nenad Burzanović placed second; and Radojica Prelević of the Kotor Kayak Club finished third.
What the Organizers and Guests Say
Organizer Bojana Čokđurić notes that she is pleased with how the event went and how well the program combined the gastronomic portion with the opportunity to taste and purchase wine.
The festival remains a popular attraction for guests year after year. Goran from Nikšići, who was at the festival for the first time, admitted that he was captivated by the atmosphere and the food:
“Probao sam več tri, chetveri vrste vina… Riba is luck… a good, clean ten-ounce drink… Siguran sam da chu doči i sledi za godu,” he said.
Among Vlada Mijović from Belgrade, originally from the Kremnicka kraj, where, according to her, such gatherings are rare, was also among the visitors. For her, this is an event not to be missed:
“The festival is not to be missed… the festival is not to be missed, the festival is not to be missed, the people are to be present, the good wines are to be had… the people are to be present,” Mijović said.
