Damir Josić

What is the connection between agriculture and tourism? Are these two sectors entering a new era, and what does the future hold for winemakers? These are some of the questions Damir Josić will address at the panel discussion “Olive Growers, Winemakers and Bread for a New Era of Agriculture and Tourism.” For a quarter of a century, the owner of Josić Winery and Restaurant in small city of Zmajevac has played an important role in shaping Baranja as a wine and gastronomic destination. Trained as a men’s tailor, a profession he pursued until the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence, Josić entered the hospitality business in 1993, when he opened the pizzeria and restaurant in Osijek. This eventually led him into the world of wine. In 1999, he purchased his first vineyards in Zmajevac, together with an old wine cellar dating back to 1935. What began as an enthusiastic venture with relatively small - scale production gradually developed into one of Baranja’s most recognizable enogastronomic projects. In 2009, he expanded the winery with a restaurant and tasting room, creating a place where wine is closely intertwined with Baranja’s cuisine, local ingredients, traditions and the distinctive atmosphere of Zmajevac’s historic wine cellars. The restaurant was created by connecting a series of traditional gatori - wine cellars carved into the loess slopes - allowing food, wine and architecture to come together in a strong sense of place. Damir Josić also trained as a chef, first at the Kul IN culinary institute in Sisak and later at the prestigious ALMA – Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana in Parma. Alongside Graševina and other white varieties, Josić recognized early on the potential of Baranja for producing serious red wines. One of the winery’s signatures is its red cuvée, featuring the distinctive black stork on the label—a symbol of the winery’s connection with the natural environment of nearby Kopački rit Nature Park. Its Cabernet Franc is also highly sought after.

At the beginning of 2026, a new, state-of-the-art winery was opened in Zmajevac, representing an investment of almost €2.5 million. Today, the Josić family cultivates around 25 hectares of its own vineyards and works with growers on approximately the same additional area. The new production facility provides room for further growth while maintaining a strong focus on wine quality. Josić remains firmly committed to Zmajevac and Baranja. He sees wine tourism as one of the region’s greatest opportunities for development, while emphasizing that its success will depend on people, new experiences and attractions, small wineries, and a willingness to invest in the future.