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Viticulture
is deeply rooted in the tradition of the inhabitants of Đakovo. It is supposed
that grapes were grown on this area long before the first written document about
it, which dates back to the period of reign of Turks. Some documents from the
turn of the 17th century speak about large parts of land covered by vineyards,
55 settlements and Đakovo.There are some hints that the first vineyards on this
region were founded as far back as 1226. The years passed and brought wars,
bishops and noblemen changed, and viticulture had its ups and downs. I have no
intention to go far in the history, but there are some facts should be noticed
to point out rich experience in wine production of Đakovo. |
History of vineyards and the Đakovo Diocese
  The
wine production in Mandićevac, hilly region not far from Đakovo, started in 1772
when the bishop Josip Čolnić began to plant grapes in Pridvorje. It is not known
how many plants he set, but his heir bishop Antun Mandić enlarged vineyards to
30 acres, and the whole complex on the slopes of Krndija was named after him. He
also built cellar, which was renovated by bishop J.J. Strossmayer in 1872.
At the beginning of 18th century bishop Petar Bakić set vineyards on the slopes
of the mountain Dilj called Trnava.
The third area covered by vineyards is in Pisak 4 km east from Đakovo and it was
established by bishop Josip Koković.
Very important period in development of the Đakovo vineyards refers to bishop
Strossmayer's time. He was very open-minded and enthusiastic about everything
that brought prospect and benefit to Croatia, in economic as well as in cultural
life. He expanded and developed wine production with great enthusiasm.
Many awards received on exhibitions in Zagreb, Vienna, Paris and Trieste from
1864 to 1891 witness about the quality of wines from that period of time.
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Mandićevac There are 287 fruit bearing and 37 new acres of plants. The annual output of
grapes is about 3500 tons. Here on the highest point of the Đakovo region wine
factory was built up in 1963. it was enlarged in 1969 and in 1984, when a new
bottle filling department was opened with the capacity of 3200 bottles an hour.
Wines produced in Mandićevac got a fed dozens of awards, gold and silver medals
on different exhibitions.
Besides wines of high quality a new product, brandy Favory, labeled with six
stars and awarded by gold medal, comes out of old cellar of Mandićevac. |
Trnava
It is situated on the eastern slopes of Dilj. It is the most beautiful in the
period when peaches blossom, and the richest in autumn when fruit ripen. It
particularly refers to grapes production because many private vineyards and
weekend houses cover the Trnava hillside. The greatest producer of grapes on
this area is the Đakovo Diocese which from 50 fruit bearing acres brings 17
wagons of wine. Processing and manufacturing of wine is done in Trnava cellars
while bottle filling and maturing is done in the cellars of the diocese in Đakovo.
All wines produced here are labeled as «holly mass» wines. |
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Maja Đelagić 3K
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