The culinary gathering kicked off with a Margherita pizza featuring tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, basil and olives. It was paired with a cocktail made using Clitoria Blue gin from the Velika Gorica-based craft distillery Dum2Spirits. It is distinguished by the way it turns blue when mixed with tonic water. The drink pleasantly refreshed the palate between bites of the Margherita crafted by pizzaiolo Matej Topić, winner of last year’s Caputo Pizza Cup in Poreč.
Gin Clitoria Blue, which derives its color from the butterfly pea flower, is flavored with citrus as well as mint, bay leaf, rosemary and fennel, botanicals many people grow around their homes. Distillery owners Alen and Sanja Dumanić also produce a medicinal bay leaf liqueur called Allorino.
Neretva's Limoncello
Another hit is their Limoncello, made from fresh, aromatic lemons that are juicy and rich in essential oils. They source the botanicals and fruit from the Neretva Valley, where both of them originate.
The pairing continued with a mixed pizza and a 2025 Pinot Gris from the Kos-Jurišić winery in Nespeš, located in the Zelina wine-growing region. The wine is characterized by aromas of dried apple, apricot, and fig, accompanied by subtle notes of vanilla and cinnamon.
A Wine with a View
The Kos-Jurišić winery upholds a family winemaking tradition, also producing Kraljevina, Graševina, Chardonnay, Yellow Muscat, and Kerner. At the summit of their vineyard-covered hill lies Wine Paradise, offering wine tastings with a view of Sljeme
Award-winning Varaždin pumpkin seed oil, produced by the Jurica Cafuk family farm in Domitrovec (municipality of Vidovec, Varaždin County) and presented by owner Marija Cafuk, was served alongside homemade flatbreads and pizzas.
Varaždin Cabbage and Pumpkin Seed Oil
She represents the fifth generation of the family cultivating the renowned Varaždin cabbage, a product registered and protected within the EU single market since 2017. In addition to cabbage and potatoes, the Cafuk family produces Varaždin pumpkin seed oil, which holds a protected geographical indication.
Denis Štefanić, from the village of Štefanići near Motovun, presented his Istrian extra virgin olive oils. He showcased Bianchera (made from the Istarska Bjelica variety), featuring notes of green apple, almond, and freshly cut grass, Buža, with a rich fruity aroma and a subtle peppery finish, Leccino, offering a mild yet complex flavor with notes of ripe fruit and herbs and Limolivo, a perfect harmony of fruity olive flavors and fresh citrus.
Istrian oils paired with pizzas
The family owns an olive grove with 1,500 trees and expands their plantings every year. Their oils paired beautifully with the flatbreads and pizzas.
The third course paired the Bresaola pizza with the 2025 Sávoj Rosé from the Belje winery. Delicate cured beef, arugula, Parmesan, melon, pepper drops, toasted hazelnuts, burrata and balsamic glaze harmonized beautifully with this fresh, elegant, and fruity rosé.
Bresaola and Sávoj: The Perfect Pairing
Notes of strawberry, raspberry, and red berries accentuated the pizza's refined qualities, creating the evening's standout pairing according to the attending food journalists. The Sávoj line offers wines designed for everyday enjoyment, characterized by a pronounced fruit-forward profile.
During the dinner, AVA.LIT was also presented, a hospitality software program that supports a wide range of operations through specific modules developed expressly for the industry. Representative Roberto Radelić discussed software solutions for fast-food kiosks, clubs, cafés, and restaurants, as well as for fitness centers and hotel systems.
Tracking staff and inventory levels
Their services include tracking staff schedules and attendance, food and beverage ordering, payment processing and inventory monitoring.
To conclude, Tiramisu was served alongside the 2024 Traminec & Yellow Muscat blend from the Slovenian winery Puklavec Family Wines. Its creator, oenologist Darija Peček, noted that the Traminec contributes richness and spicy notes, while the Yellow Muscat adds freshness and vibrancy.
Sweet, yet light
Aromatic grape varieties featuring floral, fruity, and spicy notes, harmoniously complemented the dessert's creamy texture, while the wine's natural sweetness provided a lovely finish to the meal without feeling heavy.
The Wine with Pizza event concluded just as it began, with the Dum2Spirits distillery and their aforementioned Limoncello, served chilled in small glasses as a digestif.
Inspired by Wine with a Spoon
It was an elegant finale to the first themed evening of this new project. Renata Cisar and Mustafa Topčagić conceived this inaugural event, part of a wine and gastronomy project pairing wine with one of the world's most beloved fast foods, drawing inspiration from the Wine with a Spoon concept.
FAMA / Photos: Julio Frangen