Wine Vision by Open Balkan Returns for the Third Time: November 22–24, 2024

The third edition of the Wine, Food, and Tourism Fair, Wine Vision by Open Balkan, opens on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Belgrade Fair with a series of business meetings reserved exclusively for professional buyers. Organized under the auspices of the governments of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania as part of the Open Balkan initiative, the fair will run until Sunday, November 24. It will be open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24.

This year’s Wine Vision will host over 650 wineries, distilleries, and gastronomic companies from 38 countries.

The first day is dedicated exclusively to professionals and B2B meetings, with buyers and sommeliers from 48 countries having already scheduled appointments through the Fair’s platform.

A highlight of the event is the Open Balkan Wine Trophy competition, where approximately 30 esteemed international judges will assess more than 900 wine samples from regional wineries.

Over 44,000 square meters of total exhibition space have been allocated for fair displays and programs.

Hall 1 will feature an exhibition of wineries from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, along with a showcase of distilleries and the finest rakija. In the rakija segment, located in the gallery of Hall 1, over 50 distilleries will have their stands, highlighting rakija as an essential element of Balkan authenticity. Notably, Serbian plum rakija has been inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

Hall 1A is dedicated to professional equipment for the wine industry and a specialized wine shop.

Halls 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3A will showcase wineries and host wine masterclass programs.

Hall 3 will serve as the venue for winery exhibitions, B2B sessions, the Media Center, and the Open Balkan National Tourism Organizations.

Hall 4 will present wineries from around the world, along with an exhibit for Expo 2027.

Hall 5 will host a gastronomic event with chefs from around the world, masterclasses, cooking competitions, culinary challenges for young chefs, and the Gastro-Theater.

Hall 11 will feature a food exhibition with various dishes and spices, particularly from the Balkans. The Food Vision by Open Balkan culinary program will take place here, where top regional chefs will compete in preparing traditional Balkan dishes. Visitors will be able to attend presentations, gastronomy masterclasses, live cooking demonstrations, and chef competitions.

The Young Chefs Club of Serbia will organize a professional chefs’ competition, which will also have a charitable component.

For true wine connoisseurs, the event offers numerous masterclasses and lectures on topics such as the terroirs of Serbia and the Balkans, marketing strategies in the wine business, crafting the perfect wine list, and insights into great wines and renowned wine regions worldwide.

For more details about the content and programs, visit the official event website.