OWF 2026: One square, two palaces, 90 winemakers
IZOLA – On Friday, 24 April, the historic centre of Izola will host the traditional Orange Wine Festival – Nature in the Glass. More than 85 growers from 11 countries will present their white, orange and sparkling wines.
The growers coming to Izola on the last Friday of April share a strong commitment to producing healthy and flavourful wines in harmony with nature. They are also united by their care for preserving a well‑kept cultural landscape and the identity of their regions. Their approach reflects the principles outlined in the festival manifesto What We Stand For.
Both established growers and young producers who have enthusiastically embarked on the path of ethical, nature‑ and people‑friendly farming will be presenting their wines. The wine tasting will be accompanied by culinary offerings from renowned chefs and producers from the wider region. The showcase will also include top‑quality olive oils. Alongside the festival, tastings and discussions will explore opportunities in the wine world and its future.
This year, the festival will take place in two palaces. Growers will present their wines in the Manzioli Palace and in the renovated Podestà Palace, culinary offerings will be available on Manzioli Square, and festival discussions will be held in the Church of St. Mary of Haliaetum.
A guided tasting will feature wines by young Slovenian growers made from local varieties.
The discussion on opportunities in wine tourism will bring together leading experts from Croatia, Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, including Denis Ivošević, Director of the Istria Tourist Board in Poreč, Uroš Peterc of the boutique Peterc Hotel in Brda, and Austrian‑French journalist Georges Desrues. In the discussion on ethics and responsibility in the wine universe, the speakers will include natural wine ambassador and top chef Ana Roš, acclaimed wine writer Simon J. Woolf, and a representative of the Slow Food movement.
The festival will open with a ceremony at 13:45 on Manzioli Square and will run until 21:00. Local restaurateurs will keep the evening going.
MORE: www.orangewinefestival.si
ACCREDITATIONS & INFO: info@orangewinefestival.si
GROWERS: Aleš Kovář - Altum - Babunidze Wines - Baadur Winery 1933 - Bartol - Batič - Blažič - Bretz Jörg - Brič - Burma - Cigoj - Clai - Coronica - Cultus - Dalle Ore - Dario Prinčič - Die Hopi Bauern - Diković - Dobra Vinice - Donatus - Draga-Miklus - Eclipse - Etyeki Kúria - Fattoria La Maliosa - Fedora - Fornazarič - Ghvinobistve - Gio Marani - Gordia - Guerila - Gvazi - Hektár - Imeda Vineyards - Ipša - Istenič - Iveritas - Kabaj - Kavčič Lenart - Klin - Kobatl - Krapež - Kristalvin - Kristinus - Londaridze's Bio Wine - Lunika - Manavi Wines - Mansus - Marof - Měřínský - Milovín - Molinetto - Monschein Bioweinhof - MonteMoro - Montis Eko Laura - Movia - Murenc - Muzze Winery - Norbin - Nord und Süd - Paraschos - Piquentum - Prameny - Pregeljc - Prus - Ražman - Reia - Reja Anej - Renčel - Rodica - Rogovila - Rojac - Roxanich - Sassotondo - Schiefer Uwe - Slamič - Slavček - Surva - Svetlik - Ščurek - Špetici - Štemberger - Šumenjak - Tomáš Režný - UOU - Ussai - Valleris - Zaro - Zuzana Barnáková - 7rows
