The tradition started by Despotika Winery from Šumadija continues: every year a bountiful harvest is celebrated with friends and associates at the winery. The tradition was broken only last year as vineyards in the immediate vicinity of the winery were affected by hail. But this year again, at 10 o'clock in the morning, cars swarmed Despotika estate bringing visitors from all sides eager to enter the vineyards and harvest clusters of Morava, our local grape variety which is getting more and more popular. The invitees were also business partners from China, so the harvest was truly international.

Following the standard routine, harvest snips are sterilized on an open flame and small crates are distributed along the rows of vines. All pickers take their positions in rows. Suddenly, as you start picking grapes and carefully lowering them into the crates, the row extends further, seemingly evading in front of you, with no end or beginning while crates full of Morava grapes remain along the row. This year, the grapes are perfectly healthy, sweet, no feaving the crates to the top filled with lawn. And the grapes are healthy this year, sweet, no damages... The clouds that covered the sky to protect pickers from the heat have repelled wasps as well, so pickers have no disturbances.

After a couple of hours, the crates filled with grapes confirm that pickers ahve earned their lunch... accompanied with traditional music to wind up after work.

Guests are given an opportunity to participate at least for a moment in the processing of grapes for Despotika's rosé.

And then it's lunch time. First, a tour of the winery and wine museum, then everyone moves to the newly built section of the winery. In the presence of winery owner Veselin Despotovic, we raise a toast to a successful harvest and high quality of wines.

Photos (© Despotika Winery) will show you festive atmosphere of harvest at Despotika Winery.

BACK TO CATEGORY