For five decades, the exclusive Wine Awards gala ceremony, held under the auspices of the prestigious German magazine Der FEINSCHMECKER, has stood as one of the year’s foremost social and culinary highlights, celebrating exceptional chefs and world-class wineries. On this distinguished stage, Istria once again claimed a prominent spotlight, marking its third consecutive appearance at this renowned event.

More than 500 distinguished guests from the fields of art, culture, business, and gastronomy gathered on 15 November 2025 at the elegant Grand Elysée Hotel in Hamburg for this exceptional gastronomic and wine experience, an unmissable occasion for which tickets sold out weeks in advance. Guests were treated to a spectacular program: internationally acclaimed pianist Joja Wendt delivered moments of musical brilliance, while twelve of Europe’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs crafted extraordinary gourmet creations.

Istria Shines at the Gala Event

Among the distinguished chefs was Johann Lafer, a culinary television icon who, among other achievements, develops gourmet concepts for the business-class menus of major international airlines. In Hamburg, Lafer captivated guests with a dish featuring Zigante black and white truffles, created exclusively for Istria. A multiple Michelin-starred chef and one of the most esteemed culinary figures in Germany and Austria, Johan Lafer is also a proud gourmet ambassador of Istria!

In addition to the culinary masterpieces crafted with Istrian truffles, the Istria Tourist Board presented top-quality Istrian wines, which stood confidently alongside the finest selections from Europe’s most prestigious wineries featured that evening.

This year’s gala event welcomed an elite line-up that included the wineries Deklić and Medea, as well as the renowned extra virgin olive oil producer Negri representing the very best of Istria’s wine and olive oil excellence. The olive oil, placed on every table, delighted the 500 guests and sparked great interest in Istria’s rich gastronomic heritage.

“For us, this was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exceptional quality we have in Istria to such an exclusive audience,” said Denis Ivošević, Director of the Istria Tourist Board, reflecting on this successful presentation in Hamburg.

[November 2025]