NFCA
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CROATIAN AMERICANS
For Immediate Release Contact: Erik Milman, 202-331-2830

NFCA Hosts Successful Croatian Wine Tasting on Capitol Hill 

(Washington, D.C. - June 23, 2003) The National Federation of Croatian 
Americans (NFCA) held a successful Croatian wine tasting event on Capitol Hill on 
Monday, June 16 at the home of NFCA member Lucie Gikovich! Tony Butala, founder 
of " The Lettermen" and a Napa Valley vintner served as the master of 
ceremonies. NFCA friend and Congressman George Radanovich, a vintner from 
California, was the special guest of honor at this event which was also attended by 
Congressmen Walter Jones, Dana Rohrabacher, and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. There 
were over 40 Croatian Americans and congressional guests that came out to 
taste fine wines from Croatia, hear more about Croatian issues of interest and to 
interact with Members of Congress.

This Capitol Hill event allowed NFCA members the opportunity to promote 
Croatia and Croatian issues like membership in NATO to the many congressional 
staffers in attendance. Deputy Ambassador Kresimir Pirsl, represented the Croatian 
Embassy and thanked all the dignitaries and congressional guests for showing 
their interest and support for Croatia. Congressman George Radanovich 
welcomed everyone, shared his love for his ancestors's homeland and highlighted his 
leadership and efforts on behalf of Croatia in the U.S. Congress. Steve 
Rukavina, the past NFCA President said " I want to thank Congressmen Radanovich, 
Jones, Rohrabacher, and Congresswoman Woolsey on behalf of the NFCA for their 
strong support of Croatia and for attending this special wine tasting event. I am 
very pleased that our dignitaries and guests were able to experience the fine 
wines of Croatia and learn more about the many tourist attractions of Croatia 
and it's long beautiful Adriatic coast line with over one thousand islands."

Tony Butala, was the featured speaker of the evening and entertained the 
crowd with a few stories about his Croatian heritage, life as an entertainer and 
vintner. The Croatian American originally from Sharon, PA, led the select 
group through a wine tasting lecture and process that was enjoyable and 
educational. "It is great to be in Washington, D.C. with old friends and meeting new 
friends of Croatia in the process. It is always a pleasure to introduce more 
Americans to the culture and history of Croatian winemaking that dates back to 
the Roman times," said the Croatian American singer.

The Dingac wine from the Ivo Skaramuca Vineyards on Peljasac made from the 
Plavac Mali grape was a real crowd pleaser as was the Nikola Bura Plavac brought 
by Mike Babic of Vinum USA (Madison, NJ). Also, the fine Dingac and Postup 
red wine sent down by Twice, Inc and also from Peljasac, was appreciated by all 
in attendance. The Zlahtina wine from the Katunar winery on Krk and the 
Grasevina wine from the Dakovacko winery were the favorite white wines on display. 

This will be the first in a series of wine tastings that the NFCA will be 
hold throughout the country to showcase Croatian wine and tourism. These events 
will allow the NFCA to interact with local Croatian American communities 
throughout the nation and increase awareness about the attractions of Croatian 
tourism and the fine wines from Croatia.

If you have any questions about the NFCA or activities, please call our 
national NFCA office at 202-331-2830 or e-mail us at nfcahdq@aol.com 
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