Cviček Festival

Cviček Festival (Festival cvička) is the central wine and cultural event of the Dolenjska region and has been held in Novo mesto, the cradle of cviček, for many years. The festival is dedicated to promoting cviček – a unique Slovenian wine with protected geographical indication – as well as the winegrowing tradition, culture, and cuisine of Dolenjska. Each year, the event attracts numerous visitors, winegrowers, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts from Slovenia and abroad, making an important contribution to the recognition of the region and its distinctive wine specialty.

The story of the Cviček Festival is created by the Zavod Novo mesto in cooperation with the Association of Dolenjska Winegrowers’ Societies and the Novo mesto Students’ Association. The event, where winegrowing tradition, youthful energy, and a modern approach to wine culture intertwine and complement one another, is one of the largest events in the Dolenjska region.

The programme includes a parade of winegrowers’ societies, tastings of award-winning wines, a rich culinary offering, wine tastings at wine stalls, a cultural and musical programme, and the Cviček Court – the selection of the King of Cviček, the Ambassador of Cviček, and the Cviček Princess.

A rich accompanying programme offers free guided tours of Novo mesto, children’s entertainment, and the Cviček Tourism Academy with an expert symposium – an event that opens discussion on wine-drinking culture, winemaking, and experiencing wine through modern approaches and a long-term vision.

PROGRAMME

FRIDAY · 22 MAY · GLAVNI TRG

• 4.00 pm – Tasting of Award-Winning Wines (Gostilna Na trgu, last entry at 11.00 pm)
• 5.00 pm – Parade of Winegrowers’ Associations
• 6.30 pm – Novo mesto Town Band and the Novo mesto Majorettes Club
• 7.00 pm – Official Opening of the 5th Cviček Festival and the 54th Cviček Week
• 8.00 pm – Sympatic Ensemble and Friday Pumpa Party
• 9.00 pm – Crowning of the King of Cviček and Announcement of the Cviček Ambassador
• 10.00 pm – Gadi Band

SATURDAY · 23 MAY · GLAVNI TRG

• 12.00 pm – Cviček Goulash Competition (winner announcement at 4.00 pm)
• 4.00 pm – Tasting of Award-Winning Wines (Gostilna Na trgu, last entry at 11.00 pm)
• 2.00 pm – Čuki, Vila Eksena and Clown Žare (children’s programme)
• 4.00 pm – Award Ceremony of the Slovenian Salami Makers’ Association
• 5.00 pm – Award Ceremony of the Knightly Wine Evaluation
• 6.00 pm – Presentation of Awards and Medals from the Wine Evaluation of the 54th Cviček Week
• 6.00 pm – Cvičkarija (wine and culinary evening with Adi Smolar, Bistro Situla, atrium)
• 7.00 pm – Welcome of Local Wine Queens
• 7.30 pm – Dolenjskih 5 Ensemble
• 9.00 pm – Selection and Crowning of the 27th Cviček Princess
• 10.00 pm – Saša Lendero
• 10.45 pm – Čuki

ACCOMPANYING PROGRAMME

• 11th Meeting of Vineyard Choirs · Friday, 8 May, 6.00 pm · Trebnje Cultural Centre
• 13th Hike along Slak’s Trail · Saturday, 9 May, 9.00 am (gathering from 8.00 am) · Grm Agricultural School
• Academy of Cviček Tourism · Wednesday, 13 May, 10.00 am · Atrium of the Miran Jarc Library Novo mesto
• Wine and the Wine-Growing Region: free lecture and wine tasting with oenologist Blaž Pečarič from the Novo mesto Institute of Agriculture and Forestry · Wednesday, 20 May, 5.00 pm · TIC Novo mesto
• The Wine Story of Novo mesto: free guided tour of Novo mesto’s old town centre with a local tourist guide focusing on viticulture · Saturday, 23 May, 2.00 pm · TIC Novo mesto

Cviček Festival is not merely a wine event, but a celebration of Dolenjska’s identity, socialising, and pride in local heritage.

Event website