VinaIstra 2011

HABANOS MOMENTS 2011

First official Habanos Moments took place in May 2011. The basic idea was to bring
new and better ideas as well as some new elements in gastronomy of Istria, which has

been a melting pot of cultures and gastronomy for centuries.

The main theme of the event was United Kingdom Vintage Concept launched by
world oldest cigar distributor Hunters & Frankau of London. During the gala dinner in
Monte Mulini hotel wine vault Mr Simon Chase, the creator of the idea presented the
concept and guests were offered UK Vintage Romeo&Julieta Hermosos No.4 from
1999 vs. Fresh one  from 2009. Monte Mulini  chef (one of the best chefs in Croatia)
Mr Tom Gretić, at the same time a passionate aficionado, was in charge of tasting

journey matching carefuly cigars with best istrian wines.

Accompanied program offered for a smaller group of people (by invitation only)
tasting and matching of macerated istrian malvasia wines with aged cuban limited
edition cigar from year 2007 organized by winemakers and aficionados Giorgio Clai

and Mladen Roxanic.

Furthermore, during these few days the first Istrian cigar breakfast was successfully
launched in ''stancija'' Meneghetti (stancija is an old noble village house), their french
chef Mr Jan Ives was matching Meneghetti sparkling wine with french-istrian fusion

in food with Habano cigars.

On the last day of this long weekend on the Vinistra fairground (local Istrian wine and
gourmet fair) the biska – cigar matching took place (biska – istrian brandy born in
Roman and Celtic times made from mistletoe plant and malvasia grapes). 2011
Habanos moments was closed with this workshop, and from that moment the whole

story has started.