Our Story
Tihocaj Estate was founded in 1996 when field veterinarian Dragutin Štetner purchased his first plot of land as a family retreat. Over the following years, he expanded the property to approximately two hectares.
In 2019, his son, renowned Croatian entrepreneur Davorin Štetner, decided to invest in Tihocaj and significantly expand its reach. Over the next five years, he acquired old houses and barns, gradually increasing the estate’s size to more than 25 hectares of fields, forests, and restored structures.
A pivotal moment came in 2020 when he introduced Wagyu cattle production, quickly earning recognition across Croatia. In addition, he undertook the revitalization of long-neglected fields and overgrown areas, restoring Tihocaj’s former splendor. Once a forgotten land, the estate has now been transformed into a thriving and cultivated property, reminiscent of its golden days when the entire area was actively farmed.
A Premier Destination
Over the years, Davorin Štetner established Tihocaj Estate as a renowned venue for high-profile gatherings, attracting influential figures from the worlds of diplomacy, business, and politics.
The estate has played host to several distinguished diplomatic-business events. U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, H.E. Robert W. Kohorst visited the estate in 2019. The farewell party of British Ambassador H.E. Andrew Dalgleish happened in 2022. and the estate was also the site of the Croatian Investors Association - CRANE brunch in 2022 which brought together H.E. Ilan Mor, Ambassador of Israel, alongside some of Croatia’s most prominent investors and entrepreneurs.
In 2024, Tihocaj Estate once again served as the venue for an important CRANE investors’ event, attracting some of Croatia’s most influential political and business figures. Among the esteemed guests were Croatian Minister of Justice, Damir Habijan, and Minister of Ecology, Marija Vučković, alongside Andro Krstulović-Opara, envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament. Diplomacy was well represented, with ambassadors including H.E. Nathalie Rayes of the United States, H.E. Simon Thomas of the United Kingdom, H.E. Jessica Blitt of Canada, H.E. Gary Koren of Israel, and H.E. Csaba Demcsák of Hungary all in attendance. Accompanied by over 100 distinguished investors and entrepreneurs, the event underscored Tihocaj Estate’s reputation as a key location for fostering high-level discussions and international cooperation.
