The 15th Edition of The Balkans International Wine Competition on Hvar

From May 27 to 31, 2026, the island of Hvar will host the 15th edition of The Balkans International Wine Competition 2026, one of the most important wine events in the region.

Hvar, one of the oldest wine-growing regions in Europe with more than 2,400 years of viticulture tradition, represents the perfect blend of history, expertise, and passion for wine. By choosing Hvar as the host destination, The Balkans International Wine Competition further highlights the connection between wine, culture, and people, while opening a new chapter for the competition in an authentic Mediterranean setting.

During the five-day event, winemakers and wine professionals from 12 countries will have the opportunity to present outstanding wines, exchange experiences, and discover the rich wine, gastronomic, and cultural heritage of the island of Hvar.

The wine judging sessions will take place from May 27 to 29 in Jelsa, while a series of wine and gastronomic events will be held afterwards in Hvar and Stari Grad.

For the past 15 years, The Balkans International Wine Competition has successfully promoted Balkan wines on the global wine scene. This year’s edition also introduces a new distinction — the Platinum Medal for wines awarded 96 points or more, representing the highest recognition in the BIWC 2026 judging hierarchy.

A team of distinguished international wine experts and judges will also arrive on Hvar, including:

Rod Smith MW – UK/Francuska -Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine
Caroline Gilby MW –UK
Elizabeth Gabay MW -USA/Francuska
Pasi Ketolainen MW– Finska
Sasa Spiranec . Hrvatska
Cyril Meidinger -Francuska/Njemačka
Alessandro Griccioli- Italija

As part of The Balkans International Wine Competition 2026, a masterclass will also be held in the town of Hvar at Loggia on May 30, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM.