Baranja

Situated between the Danube and the Drava, with numerous channels and lazy waterways cutting across it, the Baranja lowland enjoys a moderate continental climate and boasts ideal vine growing terrains. Fields of wheat and rolling hills covered in vineyards, with charming cottages in between – that’s Baranja. Many of these cottages have wine cellars, some with 200-year-old barrels. Typical accompaniments at wine tastings are fresh local bread, cheese or sausages, perfect with high-quality white wines, especially if the summer was sunny and dry. In winter, cold northern winds create excellent conditions for a late harvest and good ice wines. Baranja is perfect for Sauvignon, Italian Riesling, Pinot, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay and Traminer. You can pick and choose between four wine routes: Zmajevac (e.g. Čočić Winery, Josić Winery, Gerštmayer Winery, Čokot-čarda Winery), Suza (Kovač Winery, Kolar Winery, Pinkert Winery), Beli Manastir Branjin Vrh (Dobrovac Winery) and Kneževi Vinogradi (Gregurek Winery, Belje Winery).

Visit Josić Winery and taste their red or ruby coloured blends of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon or Black Pinot. Or go for the top-ranked Baranski Šiler, made from Frankovka and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is perfect with pasta, paprika-flavoured sausage kulen or red meat. Have a sip Graševina (Italian/Welsch Riesling),a white wine that tastes like green apples, in the Josić restaurant. Stop by at the Gerštmajer Winery. Its owner Mihalj Gerštmajer has been in the rural tourism and wine-making business for a long time. He owns 8 hectares of vineyards, a wine cellar (400 m²) and 1.5 hectares of land. His outdoor roofed facility seats 50 people and serves homemade specialties. Wine tastings offer a selection of Graševina (dry Riesling), Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc (dry), Traminac (Traminer) and Rajnski Rizling (Rhine Riesling).

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