Business and Wine
In parallel with the festival, an exclusive business event was held for members of renowned business organizations from Slovenia and Austria.
The afternoon began with a presentation of the Taggenbrunn estate—where Jezeršek Catering has successfully managed the culinary offerings since May 2024—as well as insights into the collaborative partnership with the estate’s owners, the Riedl family. It is precisely thanks to this collaboration that Taggenbrunn has developed in recent years into a major hub for culinary, cultural, and economic networking in the Alpe-Adria region. A particular focus of the discussion was on the path the Slovenian company Jezeršek Catering has taken to realize its vision in the Austrian market—and on the future of cross-border cooperation.
Vesna Nikolić Hodnik from the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce (WKK) (WKÖ) also spoke about the importance of such networking. She presented the unique features of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) as well as the NAAN – New Alpe Adria Network project and the AREASÜD economic region, which will be shaped by the new Koralm railway connection , scheduled to open on December 14, 2025.
At the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting, the participants emphasized that cooperation between Carinthia and Slovenia offers exceptional opportunities for both sides—they just need to network better and get to know one another
32 select winemakers and nearly 100 wine tastings
This day was all about wine. At the Alpe-Adria Wine Festival & Clubbing, 32 top winemakers from Carinthia, other Austrian regions, Slovenia, and Italy offered a total of nearly 100 different wine tastings —ranging from fresh white wines to elegant reds and sparkling specialties.
In addition to the winemakers, selected vendors also treated visitors to their offerings—including Kärntnermilch with a lavish cheese buffet, Fonda and Piranske soline, who presented a sophisticated combination of Piran sea bass and salt flowers, Steakbauer and Blatnik with a first-class beef tartare, and OsterRob, who delighted guests with a demonstration of high-quality Japanese knives. Sushi master Ernest Barać provided a true culinary spectacle, performing the captivating Tuna Ritual before the visitors—he filleted a 20-kilogram tuna and served its finest cuts in carefully selected flavor combinations, highlighted by the freshness and texture of the seafood ingredients.
An exciting wine program at the
The festival featured many wonderful experiences that offered visitors a glimpse into the diversity of the Alpe-Adria wine region. These included a masterclass led by sommelier Ingrid Bachler, during which participants tasted selected wines from Carinthia, Slovenia, and Friuli that revealed the diversity and character of these regions. The Taggenbrunn Wine Experience also drew particular attention—a sensory experience in which visitors compared Taggenbrunn wines, relied on their senses and intuition, and enjoyed a comprehensive 360-degree experience with the Wine 360° art installation.
Magical music among the vineyards
Emely Myles & Band provided the musical magic of the afternoon on the castle terrace—one of the most beautiful terraces in the region. With her energetic performance and charismatic presence, the finalist from *The Voice of Germany* captivated the audience with a mix of soul, pop, and jazz, creating an atmosphere that brought generations together. The evening continued in the castle’s magnificent concert hall, where DJ Rinabro created a genuine club atmosphere with modern beats.
Thus ended a day filled with wine and fine dining, marked by energy, smiles, and dancing—in the spirit of friendship, collaboration, and new encounters.
Success that promises a tradition
The festival is organized by the successful Slovenian catering company Jezeršek Catering, which has increasingly established itself internationally in recent years, in collaboration with the exclusive presenting media partner *Kleine Zeitung* and partners Transgourmet, Koželj Wines, Jacques Lemans, Antenne Kärnten, and Kärnten Card.
The extraordinary response from visitors, partners, winemakers, and exhibitors confirms that the festival has struck the right balance between business networking, wine culture, and a modern social experience. That is why we can already say with certainty: The Alpe-Adria Wine Festival & Clubbing will be back next year!
