Field Study – Inspiring Stories from Istria: Deklić Winery and Ciburiproduct

During a recent field study visit, students had a unique opportunity to get to know two Istrian family businesses that excellently illustrate the core concepts of the courses Family Entrepreneurship, Organization, Destination Management, and Management.

Deklić Winery tells its story through the fourth generation of the Deklić family. It is a contemporary wine oasis located on the slopes of Vižinada, combining traditional viticulture with innovative design. Although the Deklić family has been involved in winemaking for more than 100 years, their modern winery attracts visitors with its architecturally impressive space and its focus on the wine experience. On an area of around 25 hectares, they cultivate indigenous and international grape varieties such as Malvasia, Teran, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the visit includes premium tastings and an introduction to the production process from vineyard to bottle.

The winery is an example of how destination management and wine tourism can enrich the local offer, encourage regional development, and provide tourists and students with a deep experience of the connection between culture, nature, and entrepreneurship, as well as the importance of family involvement in business.

After the winery, we visited Ciburiproduct d.o.o. from Pazin, a family story with a long tradition that this year celebrates 50 years of successful work in the production of sauerkraut and other vegetables. What makes this company more distinctive than a traditional agricultural enterprise is its evolutionary development: from the humble beginnings of a grandmother’s homemade sauerkraut production to a modern facility with packaging, vacuum-sealing, and processing lines that enable the annual production of thousands of tons of products and export to the EU. Through the organized tour, students saw how traditional recipes are combined with modern technology and quality control systems, and how family vision and continuous investment can lead to a leading position in the region.

Both visits provided students with valuable insights into the management of family businesses, the importance of innovation while preserving tradition, and the role of strategic management in growth and market positioning—knowledge that is essential for future managers and entrepreneurs.

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