Vergilas Craft Distillery recently had the opportunity to present its products at three prestigious events, showcasing why it is becoming one of the most interesting new names in the Kvarner craft spirits scene. With a focus on local flavours and creative product lines such as WHITEHEAD, the distillery brings a taste of the region to its spirits and helps put Kvarner on the map as a destination for food and drink lovers.
Mozaik okusa Kvarnera [A Mosaic of Kvarner Flavours] opens in Rijeka
The opening of Mozaik okusa Kvarnera was held at Exportdrvo in Rijeka, celebrating Kvarner’s new title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026. The event brought together people from the worlds of tourism and gastronomy, with local food and drink taking centre stage. Vergilas Craft Distillery was there to showcase some of its authentic Kvarner-inspired spirits.
Irena Peršić Živadinov, Director of the Kvarner Tourist Board, spoke about the importance of local products in giving the region its unique identity, while Petar Škarpa, Director of the Rijeka Tourist Board, highlighted how projects like this help showcase the diversity of Rijeka’s food and drink scene.
Mayor Iva Rinčić pointed out that the European Region of Gastronomy title is the result of years of work by local restaurateurs, winemakers and producers who have been creating unique flavours and experiences.
Vergilas Craft Distillery presented several of its spirits and liqueurs, including the barrel-aged grape pomace spirit Halubajska kapljica, herbal spirit Grobničke alpe, sage spirit Ričina and sloe liqueur Trnovica.
The distillery’s founder, Ivan Vergilas, joined the presentation together with many of the partners and collaborators who are part of the distillery’s journey and its growing story from Kvarner.
PLACE2GO International Tourism Fair in Zagreb
The distillery also took part in the 13th edition of PLACE2GO, an international tourism fair held at the Zagreb Fair, one of the leading tourism events in the region. The fair brought together key players from the tourism industry from around the world, highlighting its international importance and the industry’s return to pre-pandemic levels.
As part of the presentation of the Rijeka Ring area, the Municipality of Viškovo showcased its rich tourism offer and authentic local experiences. Among them, Halubajska kapljica from Vergilas Craft Distillery stood out as a local brand and tourism product that brings together tradition and a modern approach to craft distilling.
“Zeleni kras” – Cross-Border Local Producers’ Fair in Ilirska Bistrica
At the 4th Zeleni kras Fair in Ilirska Bistrica, the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Viškovo presented a selection of local products from Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Halubajska kapljica once again attracted attention, showcasing the quality and traditions of the Kvarner region.
The event highlighted the importance of connecting local tourism providers from Slovenia and Croatia, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, share knowledge and build new partnerships. It also provided a great opportunity to promote local products and strengthen cross-border connections between the two neighbouring regions.
Through these appearances, Vergilas Craft Distillery shows how a local product can become a strong ambassador for its region, bringing together authentic flavours, innovation and a modern presentation of Kvarner as a gastronomic destination.
