Srdan Lisac
WEINAKADEMIKER (CROATIA)
After graduating in Biotechnology from the University of Zagreb, Croatia, Srđan continued with graduate studies. He obtained his PhD degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Zagreb in 1995. In 1996, he became Head of Laboratory for Oenology and Viticulture at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in Split, Croatia. Besides scientific work, the position gave him an insider’s perspective on winegrowing, winemaking and the wine trade.
Following this position at the institute, Srđan concluded his scientific career and became involved with food technology and food quality schemes. He worked actively on projects relating to EU harmonisation, preparation of wine and foodstuff producers for the market as well as on projects linking tourism and winemaking, such as Dalmatian Wine Routes. Srđan was involved in organising the Croatian wine producers’ stand at ProWein, Dusseldorf, Germany from 2001 to 2008.
Srđan also became interested in sensory testing and studied at the Centro Studi Assagiatori in Brescia, Italy, becoming a certified Sensory Analysis Panel Leader in 2011. He is a member of the Gustus, association of sensory analysts and is actively involved in sensory expert panels organised by Gustus for various international competitions in Croatia.
In 2012, Srđan completed the WSET Award in Wine & Spirits courses in Ljubljana, Slovenia and in London, followed by the WSET Diploma Programme in 2016 at the Weinakademie Osterreich in Rust, Austria. He graduated in 2018 and became Weinakademiker the same year. Srđan has been working as a WSET educator since 2013 for WSET Approved Programme Providers in Croatia, Italy and North Macedonia.
Since 2018, Srđan has been a Vinitaly International Academy Wine Ambassador and since 2019, a Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) Certified Educator. He participates regularly in educational trips organised by VIA.
In 2018, Srđan became a Certified Sherry Educator for Consejo Regulador de las Denominaciones de Origen Jerez-Xeres-Sherry and Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda. He organises Sherry Week events in Croatia.
Passionate about education, Srđan hosts educational seminars for the Centre for Food Culture in Zagreb, Croatia. He has brought top international wine and food programmes, such as WSET and Beer & Cider Academy, to his region and country. Besides wine, he is also interested in beer, prosciutto and olive oil.
He continues to play with combining food and beverages, matching them and exploring their joint possibilities.