Wine message from Valjevo - Pusula wines made by French recipe at modern winery to hit stores in 2013

Many people don`t know that the Valjevo area had vineyards back in 1863. At that time, more than 10 hectares of land in the village of Milicinica were planted with vine. There, on the gentle slopes of Pusula, the hill exposed to the sun the whole year long, Radomir Savic planted his first vineyard in 2006. A contemporary winery is now under construction on that site and is expected to be put in operation in mid-2013.

- We started building a contemporary winery and a wine tasting room this July in order to expand the capacity and develop the wine tourism. Equipment is imported from France. We expect the construction of this complex to be completed early next year – Radomir Savic, director and co-owner of Belgrade-based Astra ITB, says in a talk with eKapija.

Since 2006 until today, vine has been planted on more than 16 hectares, and the plan is to plant another 50 hectares with vine in the future.

- A land lot on Pusula, a property of our family, has been waiting to be planted with vine for decades. Having consulted winemaking and viticulture experts, we`ve performed agrochemical analyses of the land at the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade and an analysis of the data provided by the Valjevo Institute of Meteorology. Given that the results of all analyses we`ve done speak in favor of the idea to plant that lot with vine, we`ve decided to build our own "path of wine" - Savic explains.

With the expert help from technologist Radosav Cvetkovic and professor Dr. Nebojsa Markovic, they`ve decided to import certified grape seedlings from France.

For now, Pusula wines are made from the following varieties: sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay.

- The capacity of the winery is 50,000 bottles a year. We expect it to grow once we expand the area planted with vine, and the plan is to plant another 50 hectares of vineyards. This year we will start making new wines as well, such as traminac, cabernet franc, and there will also be a rose wine. All new wines will also be marketed under the name of Pusula, which means `letter` or `message` - Marina Zelenkapic, coordinator at the winery, says to eKapija.

Our interlocutor says that Pusula wines are available in restaurants and wine stores in Belgrade since recently, adding that a large market chain should also start offering these wines soon.

The winery Pusula participated in the event National Contest for Best Wines and Brandies - Serbia 2012, which was held October 26-27 at Tulip Inn Hotel in Belgrade.

S.O.