Tradition that is "drinked" with friends/ Pogradec celebrates its 31st year of Artisan Wine and Chestnuts

2025-12-13 12:29:00, Qyteti im CNA

Tradition that is "drinked" with friends/ Pogradec celebrates its 31st

For the 31st consecutive year, Pogradec has organized the Artisanal Wine and Chestnut Festival, a consolidated tradition that has brought together residents of the entire region, as well as visitors from within and outside the country, for years.

This celebration, in addition to entertainment, music, and traditional food, focuses on the competition of artisanal wines and Albanian wineries, promoting local indigenous production and the values ??of agricultural heritage.

The celebration of the new wine also serves as a call for the preservation and expansion of areas with vineyards and chestnuts, identity elements of the area.

According to sommeliers, if this wine is packaged and labeled, it could be part of international tables.

Tradition that is "drinked" with friends/ Pogradec celebrates its 31st

"This is the 31st year that the Wine and Chestnut Festival is celebrated, this is not just a celebration, there is not only entertainment here, but it is also a competition where all Albanian wineries but also artisans compete for red and white wine, the novelty this year is that we have also included rosé wine in the competition. This is also a call that we make to all young people and agribusinesses to increase viticulture as much as possible and preserve chestnuts because they are the most important and ancient varieties of Pogradec. In addition to the festival, we aim to promote the values ??of the city to attract as many tourists as possible for a 4-season tourism", said Entela Gusho, deputy mayor of the Municipality of Pogradec.

"Pogradec has a long history not only in wine but also in hospitality. Pogradec wines have their own style, wine from the cellar, it goes without saying that it is wine fermented spontaneously, naturally, thanks to the soil here. The method and technique of production here is completely unique. I would compare them to natural wines in the world because Pogradec's artisanal wines are completely like their international sisters that are produced naturally. First, it should be widespread above all in the local bars and if it starts to be dressed up nicely, with a correct bottle and label, of course it can be part of the great world tables", said Dashamir Elezi, taster.

During this celebration, chestnuts also receive special attention, a traditional product that has been a source of livelihood for many families in the area for decades.

"The number of chestnut plots is definitely increasing, residents are planting new areas with vineyards and chestnuts. Even tourists are getting used to the old tradition and ripe chestnuts, asking for ripe chestnuts, it is known that they also ask for Pogradec artisanal wine," said Rogen Karafili.

Tradition that is "drinked" with friends/ Pogradec celebrates its 31st

For the people of Pogradec, wine is more than a drink, it is part of culture and hospitality. Almost every old house in Pogradec has cellars with barrels in its basements, where artisanal wine is fermented according to traditional methods, passed down from generation to generation.

"We know how to drink because we know how to make it" is the famous expression of Mitrush Kutel that refers to the city's old tradition of wine production. There is no house without a cellar in Pogradec, or those who do not have one are not from Pogradec, especially the old houses are all with cellars. The old people say that it takes two days to make wine, one day to make wine and one day to put it on the table to make wine", said Andi Klemente.

Tradition that is "drinked" with friends/ Pogradec celebrates its 31st

"There are many who preserve it and make it in wooden barrels. I am currently drinking warm, boiled wine. Locals love and demand Pogradec wine, it is drunk with friends, because wine without friends is pointless to drink, cheers," said Lorenc Ndona.

Tradition that is "drinked" with friends/ Pogradec celebrates its 31st

"The process is like a child that you raise with a love of its own. From grapes to must, fermentation until the wine reaches the tel for 40 days before we close the bottle. When we make wine, we always wish each other to drink it with friends and comrades. Not only friends within Pogradec but also those who come from abroad"

For two nights in a row, Pogradec welcomes thousands of citizens and visitors with wine, music and entertainment, while at the end, prizes are awarded for the best artisanal wine, the best wine from wineries, as well as for the most beautiful painting and poetry dedicated to wine./ CNA