Event Details
Friday Tasting in Kaštelir-Labinci – The Authentic Heart of Istria
Every Friday evening in July and August, the small square in front of Butiga – Local Food Store in the heart of Kaštelir comes alive with local producers, residents and visitors. The Friday Tasting is the centrepiece of the summer programme "Ljeto u Kaštelir-Labincima" and welcomes guests from 7 PM for free tastings of the finest local products: Istrian wines, olive oils, craft spirits, beers and homemade specialities, presented directly by the family farms of the Kaštelir-Labinci municipality.
Launched in 2023 as a small neighbourhood project, Friday Tasting has grown year by year while keeping its original spirit intact. The focus is always on the people behind the products: winemakers, olive oil producers, distillers and artisans from the local community who share their stories in person.
What to Expect at Friday Tasting
- Free wine tastings with producers including Vinarija Legovina, Wine Radoš and Vinarija Cossetto
- Olive oil tastings with family farms such as OPG Grebac and others
- Craft spirits and liqueurs from Brandystra Distillery and other Istrian producers
- Live cooking by local Istrian chefs using seasonal ingredients
- Live music for a relaxed summer atmosphere
- All tasted products available to purchase directly at Butiga
- Workshops on traditional Istrian specialities
Location and Programme
The Friday Tasting takes place every Friday from early July to the end of August, starting at 7 PM in front of Butiga – Local Food Store in Kaštelir. Each week spotlights a different producer, complemented by live cooking from Istrian chefs, music and workshops on local products such as the traditional Cukerančići (Istrian sugar pastries) or Broštulani gramper – roasted potatoes with walnuts, a culinary symbol of the municipality. All products are simultaneously available for purchase at Butiga, so visitors can take a piece of Kaštelir-Labinci home with them.
Tickets and Entry
Friday Tasting is free of charge with no advance registration required. The event is jointly organised by the Tourism Board of Kaštelir-Labinci Municipality, the local government, and the community's restaurateurs, winemakers and farmers, co-funded by Croatia's Fund for Touristically Underdeveloped Areas.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive punctually at 7 PM as tastings are popular and producers often bring limited quantities.
- Kaštelir is about 7 km from the coast and 50 km from the main European road network, making it easy to reach by car from the Istrian Riviera.
- Combine Friday Tasting with other weekly events: the Gourm-E Bike eno-gastro cycling tour runs on Mondays, and Wine Nights at Vinarija Cossetto take place on Wednesdays.
- Products can be purchased directly from producers or at Butiga; both cash and card are accepted.
- Book accommodation in the region well in advance as Kaštelir-Labinci fills up quickly during summer.
