The grape harvest has been completed at the largest vineyard in Tomislavgrad, located at an altitude of up to 965 meters. This year’s yield was reduced due to hail, but the quality, they say, is unquestionable. It is an interesting fact that Tomislavgrad is not a wine-growing area and is a pioneer in wine production. However, in terms of quality, it is already on par with developed wine-growing and winemaking regions in the world.
The grape harvest in Tomislavgrad is in its final stage. At the largest vineyard, which covers 18 hectares, this year’s yield was reduced by 15-20% due to hail. Instead of the expected 60 tons, the yield is 45 tons of grapes.
“This year, the biggest challenge for us was that hailstorm on August 2nd, which severely damaged both the bunches and the leaves, so the yield is much smaller than we expected, which we usually plan to be much lower than most vineyards. So, the yield in some vineyards is 0.5-0.6 kg per vine, but we are very satisfied with the quality,” says Ivica Dilber, owner of the “Knebu” vineyard in Tomislavgrad.
There are currently 80.000 vines, and next year the planting of another 20.000 is planned. The vineyard owner, Ivica Dilber, says that each year is difficult and challenging in its own way. For this area, late frost is typical, and birds also cause major problems.
Grapes in Tomislavgrad ripen as much as two months later because of the harsh climate and high altitude. Such conditions often lead to smaller yields, but the grapes, and therefore the wine, have a more intense and unique taste and aroma. To achieve top-quality wine, the grape yield is reduced to even one kilogram per vine. The harvest here is done by hand, with the help of seasonal workers and friends. Many are still in disbelief that it is possible to grow grapes in Tomislavgrad.
“This is a combination of technology, knowledge, certain skills, and above all, emotion and love for one’s native region, which is the reason this vineyard was created,” says Davor, a friend from Imotski, Croatia.
Varieties have been planted that can withstand the harsh mountain climate at over 900 meters above sea level, and it has been confirmed that grapes grown in such areas produce top-quality wine.
“This wine already rivals other developed regions. One must take into account the fact that the winery is young, the wine-growing area doesn’t even exist, we don’t have a wine region here in Tomislavgrad at all – this is something entirely new, and the results are already here,” says enologist Josip Martinovic.
And the awards are not lacking. For the second year in a row, recognitions have arrived from the world’s largest wine exhibition in London. It is precisely such results that provide encouragement for expansion in this field. In addition to new plantings, next year a modern winery facility will be completed, with numerous amenities that will bring new jobs and attract people to this region, which many already call the Herzegovinian Tuscany.
