Success of rehabilitation programmes: Lepoglava Penitentiary’s wine and honey recognised again

The Lepoglava Penitentiary achieved remarkable results in 2025 in domestic and international evaluations of wine and honey, which once again confirms the success of rehabilitation and work programmes implemented within the correctional system 

At the Kvarner Wine Trophy 2025, the Penitentiary won three silver medals for its Yellow Muscat, Rhine Riesling and Sauvignon, and a bronze medal for Graševina.

The prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) also confirmed continuous results - bronze medals were awarded for Rheinriesling, Graševina and Yellow Muscat. In addition, the Sauvignon was awarded a gold medal at the Franjo Lebar Štrigov evaluation for the second consecutive year.

In the segment of apiculture, the acacia honey of the Lepoglava Penitentiary won a gold diploma at the International Honey Evaluation in Vukovar and a silver diploma in Zagreb in 2024. Its chestnut honey was awarded silver diplomas in both competitions.

The Lepoglava Penitentiary has 5 hectares of vineyards and more than 24,000 vines of various varieties, including Graševina, Rheinriesling, Sauvignon, Yellow Muscat, Pinot White, Grey and Black, Gewürztraminer, Silvaner and Furmint.

On average, 15 prisoners participate throughout the year in all stages of wine growing and production - from pruning and care of plantations, through harvesting, to processing grapes in the cellar. A total of 24,000 litres of wine were produced from the 2024 harvest. 
 
In addition to winegrowing and beekeeping, a significant emphasis is placed on education. In cooperation with external colleges, prisoners are trained for the professions of fruit growers and beekeepers.

In the past few years, a total of 31 prisoners have been trained - 21 for fruit growers and 10 for beekeepers. Acquired qualifications make it easier for the prisoners to integrate into the labour market upon release.

The Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation supports such programmes that make the prison system an effective space for rehabilitation through work, education and concrete achievements. Systematic investments in technology, expert guidance and proper working conditions contribute to the development of penal capacities towards sustainable, high-quality and socially beneficial resocialisation.

News