ZAGREB, 30 July (Hina) - The Istrian Wine Museum - the first of its kind in Croatia - was officially opened in Pula.

Speakers at the ceremony emphasised that the museum marks the beginning of a new cultural and tourism era in preserving and promoting Istria's wine heritage.

The project came to life thanks to the joint efforts of two couples, the Otočans and the Kostadinovs, who spent nearly three years researching similar museums across Europe and beyond. Their initiative was supported by institutions such as the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Ethnographic Museum of Istria, the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria, and the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism in Poreč.

Milan Antolović, former head of the county's agriculture department, stressed that this is the first museum and exhibition of its kind in Croatia, adding that Istria has long been a national leader in many fields.

Ivan Marić, head of the Vinistra association, expressed his satisfaction that Istria - already home to a museum dedicated to olive growing, born from the vision of entrepreneur Lorena Boljunčić - now also has a wine museum. He said the museum preserves the spirit of rural Istria while showcasing the historical and cultural importance of winemaking in the region.