Over 1,500 Business Deals Sparked at Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2024

The third edition of the international wine, food, and tourism fair, Wine Vision by Open Balkan, confirmed its position as a leading event in the industry, bringing together wine experts and enthusiasts from 48 countries. Over 400 international buyers joined Serbian entrepreneurs for more than 1,500 scheduled business meetings, with countless spontaneous connections made at exhibitors' booths.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, speaking at the opening, highlighted the fair’s growing prominence, calling it the third most significant wine fair in Europe after Vinitaly and ProWein in Düsseldorf. “This is a remarkable shared success,” Vučić said, crediting the collaboration between Belgrade, Skopje, and Tirana for the idea. He also expressed hope that Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama would attend next year while thanking North Macedonia’s Prime Minister for his presence at the opening.

“By all metrics—quality, number of exhibitors, and visitors—this event is climbing rapidly. With Düsseldorf losing ground, in two or three years, we might even compete for second place,” Vučić added. While touring the booths, he emphasized that although Serbia cannot yet compete with Italy and France, it is among the best in the region.

Turning Dreams into Deals

Slađana Ristić from Momirović Distillery shared her excitement:
“We’re looking to expand internationally and within the region, and this event has opened doors for us. We had promising meetings with partners from Germany, Azerbaijan, and neighboring countries. The fair’s organization was impeccable, and the atmosphere was inspiring. I’m confident we’ll see some successful partnerships come to life.”

A Blend of Traditions
John Šuša from Plavi Perun Winery praised the fair’s vibrant energy:
“As first-time exhibitors, we were blown away by the response. Over the past two days, we’ve had fascinating conversations with buyers from China, Russia, Canada, and Japan. Our wines carry the vibrant essence of the New World combined with deep Serbian traditions—a story that truly resonated with the international audience.”

A Taste of the Balkans

For Enikő Király from the global company Vinventions, the fair was an unparalleled networking opportunity:
“I’m thrilled to have met so many exceptional wineries from Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. The quality of their wines is outstanding, and being here in Belgrade at such a well-organized event has been a true pleasure.”

With record-breaking attendance, enthusiastic participants, and strong leadership support, Wine Vision by Open Balkan is not just a fair—it’s a celebration of culture, commerce, and collaboration. It’s setting new standards for the wine industry and elevating the region on the global stage.