The third annual Mrkonjić “Summer Wine Festival” will be held on June 29, 2025, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Trg srpske vojske (Serb Army Square) in Mrkonjić Grad.
This already well-recognized event once again brings a blend of taste, tradition, and positive energy, gathering winemakers, wine lovers, and guests from across the region.
The festival is organized on the initiative of Ognjen Vučenović, a young sommelier from Mrkonjić Grad who, through his travels around the world, gained extensive knowledge about wine and became a passionate advocate for it.
It was Ognjen who came up with the idea to organize an event in his hometown that would connect wine, culture, and history. The idea was quickly embraced, especially since historical records show that this region was once home to thriving vineyards.
The oldest and only known written record dates back to 1660, when the famous Ottoman travel writer Evliya Çelebi passed through the then Varcar Vakuf and noted the presence of numerous vineyards in the town and its surroundings. He described a town with eleven neighborhoods, homes surrounded by vineyards and gardens, a pleasant climate, and a vibrant trade atmosphere.
“Çelebi’s writings show that viticulture was once a part of our everyday life and economy. This festival is an attempt not only to revive that tradition but to enrich it with a modern spirit,” say the organizers.
The festival, held as part of “Mrkonjićko ljeto 2025” (Mrkonjić Summer 2025), is organized by the Cultural Center “Petar Kočić,” under the patronage of the Municipality of Mrkonjić Grad.
The third edition of the Summer Wine Festival brings a rich program: wine tastings from local and regional wineries, culinary offerings, and an open-air social space.
A large number of visitors is expected, and the festival is increasingly becoming a significant event on the tourist and cultural map of Mrkonjić Grad.
The wine festival is not just a celebration of taste—it is a reminder of identity and heritage that is once again being rediscovered and celebrated, writes MG Forum.
Source: See Srpska
