Date: December 12, 2025
Special Guest: Mr. Ivica Dobrinčič
On December 12, 2025, in the boutique atmosphere of our restaurant, we hosted a remarkable wine evening in collaboration with Šipun from the medieval coastal town of Vrbnik on the island of Krk. On this occasion, we were honored by the presence of the esteemed winemaker Mr. Ivica Dobrinčič, agronomist and oenologist, who personally presented the philosophy, history, and distinctive character of his wines.
Šipun Winery cultivates vineyards both in the valley and on sunlit hillsides, where the strong bora wind prevents disease and fungal growth, ensuring healthy grapes and full-bodied wines with pronounced character. The Dobrinčič family’s tradition of vine cultivation spans several generations, while their commercial wine production is relatively recent, with a strong focus on indigenous varieties such as Žlahtina, Sansigot, Trojišćina, Kapitul, and Maličić.
From an early age, Mr. Dobrinčič has been fascinated by vines. Prior to 2003, he was engaged in graft cultivation and vine sales, while also preserving nearly extinct local varieties such as Žlahtina, Trojišćina, and Sansigot. For each nearly extinct variety, he planted twenty vines, which eventually led to the creation of their wine museum. Today, with the support of modern technology, they produce wines that reflect the unique microclimatic conditions of the island of Krk.
The evening began in our gallery space, where guests were welcomed in a relaxed atmosphere with an opening greeting and the first course. The main part of the evening featured a carefully curated menu created by Robert Čebokelj – hotel owner and head chef – together with Josipa Mačinković. In a refined culinary presentation, they carved and served the lamb leg and veal loin in front of the guests.
Evening Menu
Amuse-bouche:
Salad pocket with marinated anchovy
Sparkling Žlahtina 2025
Starter:
Fried sardine stuffed with artichoke and olive
Rosé Trojišćina 2025
Seafood Course:
Calamari skewer with chimichurri sauce
Žlahtina 2025
Warm Course:
Šurlice pasta with prawns, roasted pumpkin, burrata cream, green apple
Hlam 9, Žlahtina 2022
Main Course I:
French-style lamb leg, braised endive
Sansigot 2022
Main Course II:
Veal loin, savoy cabbage cream, light sauce
Hlam 4, Cuvée
Dessert:
Presnac – traditional Krk cake, sweet caramel
Kapitul 2017
Each dish was meticulously paired with wines from the Šipun portfolio, creating a complete and harmonious food and wine experience – from the fresh and vibrant Žlahtina to the elegant and full-bodied Sansigot and the structured Kapitul.
Throughout the evening, Mr. Dobrinčič shared his knowledge of ampelography – the science of vine varieties – and stories of preserving indigenous grape varieties while maintaining the microclimatic diversity of their vineyards. His presentation illustrated how tradition, varietal care, and modern technology coexist in their vineyards, easing physical labor while preserving a close, personal connection to the land and the grapes.
We invite you to follow our announcements, as we will continue organizing wine evenings and other culinary experiences in the coming year.
