The story of wine

Wine Lovers and True Connoisseurs

Wine is a vast and rich subject. For thousands of years, it has been discussed, analyzed, and featured in numerous expert lectures and studies. It is even mentioned by sacred writers on many pages of the Bible. Simply put, wine is a beverage produced through the alcoholic fermentation of must or mash from fresh grapes of the noble vine species. Wine is used to honor guests, refresh the weary, awaken the sleepy, encourage the disheartened, and cheer the sad. Still, it should be enjoyed in moderation, as wine can also intoxicate—and drunkenness serves no one, whether tired, sad, or joyful.

The culture of wine is as old as humanity itself. It accompanies people through all of life’s occasions—from birth to death—intertwining with human paths and stories, reflecting destiny in its crystal mirror. The peak of this relationship may be best expressed in the Latin saying:
“In vino veritas” (“In wine, there is truth”).
Indeed, there are truths spoken under the influence of wine that might never otherwise be revealed.

Wine is perhaps humankind’s most noble drink, with a perfectly balanced composition of elements carefully chosen and preserved by nature. These combinations are studied and understood by oenologists, but even those with no formal knowledge need only taste a well-crafted wine to exclaim that it contains warmth, wisdom, love, poetry, happiness, patriotism, and forgetfulness. Without wine, they say, many songs would remain unsung, works unwritten, dreams unrealized, and love stories lost.
To truly enjoy wine, or to offer it to others, one must understand the secrets of this noble drop. Without appreciating the small treasures hidden in every sip, something remains missing—within us and around us.

Vivodina – A Winegrowing Region

The first known mention of Vivodina dates back to the 14th century, when it was referred to as a free commune—also known as a “brotherhood of noble men.” Since ancient times, the Vivodina region has been renowned for its vineyards. The vineyards were devastated in 1889 by phylloxera, which destroyed two-thirds of the grapevines. However, by 1892, the hardworking people of Vivodina began planting new vineyards using American rootstock.

In 1995, the winegrowers, winemakers, and fruit growers of the Ozalj area established the Association of Winegrowers, Winemakers, and Fruit Growers of Ozalj. Since 1996, the Association has organized an annual international wine exhibition in Vivodina every June.

Centuries of Skilled Viticulture

Vivodina and Vrhovac have a long and rich tradition of grape cultivation and winemaking. Viticulture remains an important activity in Vivodina, growing in significance despite a decreasing population. Historical records suggest that the people of Vivodina practiced viticulture as early as the Middle Ages. There was hardly a household in Vivodina without its own vineyard. Nearly half of the documents from 1550 to 1776 are sale or gift contracts involving vineyards between locals. The region’s long-standing reputation for producing excellent wines is confirmed by the awards their wines earned at historical tastings.

The Ozalj–Vivodina Wine Road

The Wine Road stretches 30 kilometers, from Vivodina to Vrhovac. Today, around 80 hectares of the Ozalj–Vivodina area are planted with vineyards. Winemakers proudly grow varieties such as:
Graševina (Welschriesling), Sauvignon Blanc, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Yellow Muscat, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch (Frankovka), Zweigelt, and the young wine Portugizac.

The purpose of the Wine Road is to allow visitors to enjoy high-quality wine and traditional local cuisine at 11 family-run farms, all while taking in the breathtaking landscape. The beauty of the Vivodina region was immortalized by teacher and writer Davorin Trstenjak in his book Travel Memories, where he wrote:
“He who has not seen the Kupa Valley from the Church of the Holy Cross above Lović has not seen the beauty of Croatia!”
Indeed, from the top of Lović Prekriški, the view stretches endlessly across our beautiful homeland…