In the ceremonial hall of St. Stephen’s Church in Chicago, the second Wine Fest was held, organized by the Assembly of Krajina Serbs. The event gathered a large number of wine producers, mostly Serbs originating from Dalmatia, Herzegovina, but also Bosnia, and the jury was faced with a great challenge to choose the best ones in the categories of red and white wine in a strong competition.
The festival was opened by Stevo Dokić, the president of the Assembly, who reminded of the importance of wine in everyday life and in the life of Krajina and Dalmatian Serbs who now live in these areas as immigrants.
After the prayer read by priest Dragan Arsić, dinner followed, and then a cultural and artistic program.
The guests were addressed by the Consul Žeran of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago, Andrija Zečević, and the Consul General of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tatjana Telić. The two pointed out the importance of gathering Serbs and maintaining traditions, and Consul Telić, who is originally from Knin, recalled how wine was made, stored and valued in her family.
Nine-year-old Anđelija James, whose mother is originally from Dalmatian Kosovo, played the composition “Tamo daleko” on the violin, and together with her brother Aleksandar, she recited a recital that caused a standing ovation from those present.
Actor Milenko Šišarica elicited smiles with humorous skits, and at the end, he recited a toast of a Serbian host.
While the program was going on, the jury tirelessly tested the wines, and when they gathered their impressions, it was time to announce the winners.
In the competition of red wines, Branislav Obrenović won, Ilija Bjegović offered the best white wine, and the main prize, and what else could it be when it comes to winemakers, was prosciutto. True, Italian.
After the awarding of prizes to the best, it was time for other guests to enjoy their wines, and the Golden Fingers orchestra, reinforced by Tanja at the microphone, entertained them all together.
The Serbian Times reporter was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wines that were in the competition, and the success of their creators is even greater when it is known that they produced them in their home workshops, in cellars and garages.
The organizers promised at the end that there will be even more winemakers and good wines at the next Wine Fest, and see what our editor Antonije Kovačević exclusively recorded on the spot
Author: Antonije Kovačević Video Editing: Vladimir Talijan
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