By taking over the property of Wine cellars Belje, Inc. in Kneževi vinogradi and after returning the property to Belje, Agrokor has become the biggest wine- grower, maker and producer in Croatia. At the same time, a long-term strategy of oenological development was made in accordance with the characteristics of different regions, from Istra through continental Croatia to the Danube region.
It is our goal in this year to reinstate Belje. Our first step was to improve the quality, design and distribution. Accordingly, this year Agrokor is going to invest over 15 mil kuna in Wine cellars Belje. Among other things, investments are going to be made for the purchase of new fermentors, filters, vineyard tractors, as well as for planting new vineyards. Medium-term plan also includes the construction of a new winery built according to the newest technological standards.
Wine cellars Belje are located on the wine-growing hills of Baranja, at the altitude of 150 – 220 m. On the southern slopes of Banovo brdo, Wine cellars Belje have in total 511 ha of vineyards, out of which 56 ha under red sorts and 455 ha under white sorts, predominantly Graschevina (Riesling). Apart from Graschevina, there are also others sorts such as Rhein Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot grey and Muscat ottonel. So far, 103 ha of new vineyards have been planted with red sorts – Pinot noir, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot and Blaufrenkish, as well as white sorts – pinot grey, Pinot white, Chardonnay and Graschevina. Clearing the old vineyards and planting new ones is planned in the future. Thus, Wine cellars Belje are going to have 600 ha of vineyards.
The wine assortment of Belje includes the following sorts: Graschevina, Belje Riesling, Chardonnay, Rhein Riesling and Pinot Grey. In he past, table wines and quality wines composed the most significant part of the production. Development plans and the new vineyards are gearing towards better quality and bigger production of high quality and premium wines.
The 2006 vintage was truly a golden vintage for Belje because the wines are of exceptional quality. This is reflected in numerous prizes and awards at the most important competitions in the country. On the first festival of Graschevina in Kutjevo, the Graschevina wines from Belje won 3 gold medals, whereas the Premium Graschevina wine from Wine cellars Belje was declared the Festival champion. On the 39th exhibition of continental wines in Sv. Ivan Zelina, Premium Chardonnay was rated the best white still wine. This wine won 5 gold medals in total.
Chardonnay and Predicat Chardonnay have proven their quality with two gold medals on this year’s VINOVITA, as well as with two silver medals on the International wine fair in Ljubljana.
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