Croatian Wine Festival 2024 - Long Table Lunch Nicola Estate

Nikola Estate
The annual Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce (WACCC) Croatian Wine Festival celebrates the achievements of Croatian-heritage winemakers and grape growers in the Swan Valley of Western Australia.
The Long Table Lunch this year was held at Nikola Estate, Middle Swan, Swan Valley, on Sunday October 13, 2024.
It was a privilege for the WACCC to host at this special lunch a delegation of 22 European Union Ambassadors, in WA on a week-long tour that opened with this insight into the historic Croatian roots of the Swan Valley Wine Region in Perth’s east.

The delegation was touring WA to deepen engagement and understanding of the mining sector following the signing of the EU-Australia Critical Minerals MoU earlier this year. The bilateral agreement enables the European Union and Australia to collaborate on the future supply of sustainable critical minerals.

The venue, Nikola Estate, has been growing vines since 1929, making it the ideal backdrop for the announcement of the 2024 Croatian Master Winemaker of the Year. And the winner is . . .

The Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce Master Winemaker of the year for 2024 is James Talijancich, of Talijancich Wines.

James is the third generation of the family to carry on the winemaking business since his grandfather arrived from Croatia in 1926 and commenced his wine business in the Swan Valley in 1932. Today’s wines, particularly their fortified varieties, produced from grapes grown on the Herne Hill property in the Swan Valley, have won great acclaim both nationally and internationally. Not only has he been an excellent winemaker, but he has been a servant of the local wine industry in an administrative capacity for decades. This year he led the establishment of the ‘Old Vine Charter’ in the Swan Valley. In his younger days he was a renowned basketball player, representing the state. For his achievements and dedication, James Talijancich, along with his father, Peter, also received the prestigious award from the Swan Valley Winemakers Association as they were named Icon of the Swan Valley 2024.

A second award, for Croatian Master Vigneron of the Year 2024, went to Jim Jurjevich, a man who has freely given his valuable time and expertise to the Western Australian table grape industry for over 75 years.

Jim arrived from the Croatian island of Vis as a small boy with his parents some 70 years ago, and has since established a successful vineyard operation in the Swan Valley at Herne Hill. At the same time, he has served on a number of industry committees, including the Swan Valley Grape Growers Association, Department of Agriculture, Table Grape Growers Committee and Export Grape Pool Committee.

The Croatian Ambassador to Australia, Betty Pavelich, spoke at the lunch and said it was a opportunity for the EU group to gain insight into how the valley’s Croatian heritage has contributed culturally and financially to the state.

“It is always such an honour to come back to the Swan Valley for the Croatian Wine Festival, hosted by the Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce. I am truly grateful to chamber president Luke Jurcevic, the owners of Nikola Estate, the Yukich family, and all of the committee and members for the effort they put into organising this incredible festival.

“Families of Croatian heritage have been in the winemaking business in the Swan Valley for more than a hundred years. Some of the vineyards even started with vines from the Croatian Island of Vis, where winemaking began some 2500 years ago. I’m particularly pleased that more than 20 of my fellow European Union Ambassadors were able to join me at Nikola Estate for what was a fabulous afternoon of Croatian culture, great food and wine. I congratulate the WA Croatian Chamber on this successful event,” Ambassador Pavelich said.

WACCC President Luke Jurcevic said the ambassadors’ visit made this one of the most influential and high-profile encounters in the chamber’s recent history.

“Swan Valley is definitely on the international map. We are looking forward to further promotions and events promoting this region and its Croatian heritage winemakers,” he said.

“The region’s door to Europe has been opened wide and I would expect the tourism interest to the valley to be significantly boosted, coupled with much greater awareness about the important cultural and financial role the Croatian community has played in the region and within the wider Western Australian community.”

Ambassadors representing the European Union from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, France, Finland, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, The Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia and Spain. Their duties later took them to Broome where they took part in roundtable discussions about mining operations and operational landscapes, followed by engagements with Broome’s Indigenous community.

Prior to lunch, Phil Walleystack delivered a Welcome to Country on behalf of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation – a moving experience for all in attendance. Phil is also the CEO of Indigenous Arts Foundation, who recently sent the Kaya Dancers to perform in Zagreb and Split, Croatia, at the International Folk Festival, joining performers from around the world. Their tour was named ‘Kaya Croatia’ – at one point both the Australian and Aboriginal flags were projected onto the famous Zagreb fountain as Isaiah Walley-Stack performed with the didgeridoo; the dancers also performed for the Australian Ambassador to Croatia Richard Rodgers in Zagreb. The Croatian audience response was by all accounts outstanding.

Back in Swan Valley, the Hon. Justice Larissa Strk discussed Croatian contributions to the region, suggesting it was a great testament to the achievements of immigrants in Australia. As the first person of Croatian descent appointed to the WA Supreme Court, she was well qualified to talk about such amazing achievements.

Tania Lawrence MP, Member for the federal seat of Hasluck, emphasised the significance of such a global representation as the EU delegation to the Croatian Wine Festival. She described it as fantastic opportunity for the further development of political, economic and cultural ties between Australia and Croatia.

Meredith Hammat MLA, representing Deputy Premier Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, expressed her great pleasure at joining the Croatian community to celebrate wine, food and the incredible contributions Croatians have made to WA. She detailed the Croatian heritage and traditions that have made the Swan Valley the special wine region it is today and reflected on the many contributions people of Croatian heritage have made to WA’s economy, society, sports, arts and public life.

WA Croatian Chamber of Commerce President Luke Jurcevic used the occasion to announce the Arts, Crafts and Creative Awards initiative for 2025, while awarding Ron Gomboc from Gomboc Gallery for his 50 years of sculpting excellence, inspiring creativity and significantly enriching our community. Ron has created sculptures in Cottesloe and Bondi Beach for the past 21 years for the Sculptures By The Sea events, as well as producing hundreds of pieces for galleries and clients around the world. As well as designing and making of the Australian Arts Cinema and Television Awards (AACTA) actual award given to winners over the past 12 years.

Luke also honoured the talented Vjeran Duplancic with an award for enriching the Croatian community for over 37 years with song, music and dedicated service. Vjeran performed both the Australian and Croatian national anthems at the lunch and sang Croatian songs with his daughter Helen to entertain all the guests.

Andrew Vlahov, OAM, four-time Olympian and CEO of Friendship Games, announced the 2025 event to be held in WA next July, bringing young sports people together across 11 sports.

Antun ‘Tonci’ Buterin, President of Meeting G2, gave an update on the upcoming 10th year event, bringing Croatian heritage businesses together by connecting the homeland and the diaspora. It will take place in Zagreb this November 13 and 14.

Graeme Yukich from Nikola Estate gave a heart warming reminder on the history and journey of his family's efforts for us to all enjoy this amazing venue. The Yukich family and staff provided us with such a perfect experience and it was an honour to have international guests present, to also feel the joy at Nikola Estate.

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Also present was Zoran Sangut, the consul of Croatia in Perth, the Lord Mayor Logan Howlett City of Cockburn and Sister City of Split, Croatia, Be Botanics – beautiful floral presentations – Jasmin Biagioni - leading floral arranger, Foundation President and life member for WACCC, Brian Rakich and wife Beverley Rakich, also Dennis Yagmich – Life member of the Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce and wife Sally Yagmich, Pia Turcinov AM, FundWA and Anthony Radich, Perth Glory.

Leaders of Western Australia: Laura and Jure Denona – Gwelup Croatia Soccer Club and Hrvatski Dom – Croatia House, Dean Zlendic - Western Knights Soccer Club, the WA Croatian Community Centre - Anthony Sumich, President Zrinka Vlasic – Hrvatska Folklorna Groupa – Zagreb and Glen Svilicich, Anthony Radich and Darlene Gianoli from The Lado Croatian Folkloric Ensemble of Western Australia. As well as Vice-President of the WA Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Martin Cop.

The LADO Croatian Folkloric Ensemble of WA delivered a mesmerising performance, blending vibrant costumes, intricate choreography and rhythmic music. Their passion and precision captivated the audience, showcasing Croatia’s rich cultural heritage with grace and energy. This was truly an unforgettable experience to witness.

“It was a privilege to honour and celebrate our community and the contributions of Croatian heritage Australians here in Perth”, said Luke Jurcevic, WACCC President. “The day was simply joyful and Perthect!”

Vjeran and Helen Duplancic (Father, daughter duo) They seamlessly blended their performance with original compositions from their latest CD release Contact the Chamber for Vjeran and Helen CD requests.