Wine Dinner "Vinarija Fakin: Passion from the Heart of Istria with Premium Wines and Gourmet Delicacies"

On Wednesday, May 17 2023, wine enthusiasts had the opportunity to savor an eno-gastronomic experience with a touch of Istria at a unique wine dinner "Fakin Winery: Passion from the Heart of Istria with Premium Wines and Gourmet Delicacies." The event was held at the ATLANTA bocca mARAI restaurant in Zagreb in collaboration with wine partner Wine&Friends.

Marko Fakin and Bety Prodan Fakin shared their wine story and presented wines alongside an experienced sommelier who provided insights into the organoleptic characteristics of the wines. During the dinner, guests participated in a surprise wine quiz hosted by the well-known Croatian quizmaster Dean Kotiga, where they learned more about the wines and Fakin Winery through challenging questions in a fun and engaging manner.

Guests embarked on their wine journey for the evening with Fakin's Chamal sparkling wine and Rose, followed by five Fakin wines paired with five courses of gourmet cuisine prepared by Chef Mate Sučić, the recipient of the 2023 Young Talent award, a highly regarded international culinary guide, Gault&Millau. Guests had the opportunity to taste the indigenous flavors of Fakin's Malvasia, Malvasia La Prima, Teran, Teran Il Primo, and Muscat, accompanied by a surprise wine, Teran Michel, an exclusive wine of great importance to the Fakin family, produced in a limited series of only 1200 bottles.

Furthermore, in special Jeroboam bottles, Teran Il Primo from the 2019 was served. This wine, which received a high rating of 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, a leading American wine industry magazine, became the first Teran in the U.S. market to achieve this score, and it also received 95 points at the prestigious Decanter competition. With its full body and richness, Il Primo is crafted through a precise selection of the highest-quality hand-harvested grapes from the Flaminio micro-location, with roots dating back to 1972.

The tasting also featured the Teran from 2022, which won the champion title and a platinum medal at the 29th International Wine and Winemaking Equipment Exhibition Vinistra in Poreč. The Teran from the 2015 vintage, known for its authentic taste and exceptional aging potential, surprised guests with its unique character. Through the elegant aromas of the 2018 Malvasia, which received an impressive 96 points at Decanter, guests could experience the true expression of the Motovun terroir and the indigenous signature of Fakin vineyards.

These wines, characterized by their minerality, freshness, and expressiveness, are a result of the unique combination of soil and climate at the foot of Motovun. Guests had the opportunity to savor their distinct flavors and direct aromas that make them truly unforgettable.

The authentic flavors of Fakin wines paired perfectly with various specialties, such as aged beef paired with caper chips and fennel mayonnaise, smoked sea bream mousse, lamb ravioli, octopus demiglace with asparagus, and a lemon dessert with cottage cheese ganache, forest fruit coulis, and carob crumble.

Marko Fakin emphasized, "We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to introduce Fakin Winery in Zagreb and share our love and passion for what we do. Each wine was carefully selected for this evening to reveal the richness of taste and aroma of our beautiful region and the quality of grapes nurtured in our vineyards at the foot of Motovun. Each of our wines brings a unique story that we wanted to convey to our dear guests tonight. Once again, a big thank you to everyone who was part of this unforgettable experience, and we look forward to new gatherings!"