Banoštor is certainly one of the most beautiful villages in Mt. Fruška Gora. Nature was particularly generous when it comes to this village. On one side, the village spreads on the Danube bank and poses to ships and barges that float on the Danube. On the other side, green slopes of Mt. Fruška Gora provide superb backdrop for a story about wine, wine-makers, diligent Banoštor folks, which is being told every September. It's the story of Banoštor Grape Days when the entire village comes alive...

Ivana and I visited Banoštor last year as well during Banoštor Grape Days, so upon our departure from Belgrade, we already had some idea what to expect there. And we knew that we would find there all local wineries at one place.

Upon our arrival in Banoštor, we headed to the petrol station first, instead of going immediately to the center of the village where stands of wine-makers were located. Everybody has his own small rituals and habits, and so do I, so I never tank my car on OMV or NIS petrol stations. It means that we ended up on mountain roads of Mt. Fruška Gora with just as much petrol to reach the petrol station in Banoštor... And already with some doubt that we would make it to Banoštor (which I didn't voice in order not to alarm Ivana), we spotted a road sign with the name of the village which we awaited eagerly. And then another 300 meters of uncertainty while we took a detour (following instructions of a local police officer) until we reached the petrol station. So, the car got its precious liquid, therefore it was a moment for Ivana and myself to seek what we have come to Banoštor for - the wines of Banoštor.

We strolled along the main street in the village, stopping here and there at the stands where all those trinkets were sold, which is a typical decor of any Serbian village fair, including honey biscuits, "halva" and amusement park full of children who are spending their pocket money received from parents, aunts and uncles specifically for this occasion.

In front of main stage, children in traditional folk costumes perform a mix of traditional dance from all parts of Serbia. I could never understand how our ancestors wore those fur caps during scorching days. Anyhow, boys and girls didn't seem bothered about it, keeping a smile on their face throughout the dance from east Serbia.

Stalls of Banoštor wineries:



Firstly, we lingered at the stand of winery Fruškogorski vinogradi, with racks of recognizable white labels on their QUET wines. The name QUET has its root in history of Banoštor, because there used to be a fortress in this village in the Middle Ages and a settlement of the same name - Quet or Keve. Then other stands followed as well - wineries Bononia, Vinarium, Stojković, Ačanski, Urošević, etc. Those who wanted to bring home some of Banoštor wines could count on prices ranging from 400 to 500 dinars on average. Hot weather was not an ally to exhibitors, because some of them didn't have coolers or fridges. That is the reason why we decided to skip the stand of Silbaški cellar because we didn't feel like tasting lukewarm wines packed in plastic bottles.



When we completed the visit of wine and grape exhibition, we stopped at the stand of the Banoštor Women's Association, who attracted us with merry atmosphere at their stand and genuine Vojvodina doughnuts and other delicacies which were offered to visitors.



And finally, the right manner to finish this visit to Banoštor is perch and sturgeon paired with Banoštor wines at local csarda "Jole"... Traditional tambourine orchestra, splendid view of the Danube, chilled wine and delicious fish - an ideal combination...

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