Wine and sparkling wine: After 12 months of aging, 4,500 bottles of wine have been extracted from the Icarus valley

After a year of aging beneath the sea, nearly 4,500 bottles of wine have been retrieved from the Ikara underwater spring, marking the latest installment of the traditional event known as "Wine and Sea." The retrieval took place over the weekend in August, with organizers of the Ikara Winemakers Association carefully extracting the bottles from their submerged storage location. This annual ritual has been taking place for 11 years, drawing both local wine enthusiasts and curious tourists who gather to witness the unique process. The wines were stored in deep-sea conditions, approximately 20 meters below the surface, within the Ikara spring, a freshwater source located several dozen meters away from the end of the Ikara mul. Despite temperatures on land reaching near 40 degrees Celsius, the water maintains a stable temperature range of 14 to 15 degrees Celsius, providing ideal conditions for the maturation of the wine. According to experts, this underwater environment imparts distinctive characteristics to the wine, enhancing its flavor profile and complexity. Vjeko Zahej, president of the Ikara Winemakers Association, known locally as Veja, explained that the process involves selecting wines from various producers before they are placed into special cages and submerged in the spring. Last year, around 4,500 bottles were immersed, and this year they have been retrieved after a full year of aging. The association works closely with winemakers, visiting cellars and discussing which wines would benefit most from the unique underwater aging process. Zahej noted that the demand for this service is high, and the association often struggles to accommodate all the winemakers who wish to participate. Volunteers, including skilled divers, spend hours retrieving the bottles and preparing them for the new season. On Friday alone, a group of divers worked extensively to extract the last few cages from the spring, ensuring that the newly retrieved bottles could be replaced with fresh ones for the upcoming year. The event attracted not only local participants but also members of the European Wine Knight Order, who traveled to Ikara to observe the proceedings. Most of the wines retrieved come from mainland Istria, though there are also bottles of white wine from Kastav. Over the years, the Ikara spring has held wines from Slavonia, Moslavina, Slovenia, and Herzegovina, reflecting the diverse regional contributions to this tradition. In addition to the unique aging process, the bottles have acquired additional aesthetic value while submerged. Marine life such as snails, shells, and seaweed have attached themselves to the bottles, making each one truly unique. Zahej expressed admiration for the natural artistry of the ocean, noting that no two bottles are exactly alike. He thanked the sea for its contribution, raising a toast to the unique experience with a glass of white wine.