HISTORY OF THE REGION’S WINES
The entire Palić region lies on sandy terrain left by the prehistoric Pannonian Sea. That’s why wines from this area are commonly referred to as sand wines. The sandy soil, a moderate continental climate and top grape varieties yield very appealing wines. The Subotica-Horgoš area has a winemaking tradition that goes back well over 2,000 years.
In the Bačka region winemaking flourished after the phylloxera epidemic destroyed much of Europe’s viticulture.. At this time three wine cellars were founded in the vicinity of Palić , Čoka and in Biserno Ostrvo near Novi Bečej. These cellars remain the backbone of the region’s viticulture..
The Čoka Cellar, established in 1903, is among the rare and magnificent monuments of a great wine tradition. The cellar’s rustic interior features seven cold wine alleys and has a capacity of 3300 tones. There are 130 oak casks with a capacity between 1500 and to 11,000 liters capacities and 17 special concrete tanks insulated with glass tiles. These tanks have a total capacity of between 33,000 and 67,000 liters. Locals say that the biggest tank, which is as large as a small dance hall, was used for parties hosted by Count Lederer, the cellar’s founder.
The Palić Cellar, founded in 1896, was built where an agricultural school once stood. It preserved the ancient winemaking heritage of the Subotica-Horgoš sandy heath. Today the WOW Winery continues the tradition.
The Muscat Croquant grapevine variety was planted by count Lipot Rohonczi in Biserno Ostrvo, where he built a small castle with a wine cellar that still exists . The wine made from those grapes was sold in Budapest, London and other European markets.
VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING TODAY
Practically all of the 24,000 hectares of the Subotica-Horgoš sands are suitable for grapevines. The region’s vineyards are concentrated around the towns in the municipalities of Kanjiža and Subotica. The area is characterized by sandy heaths and occasional patches of quicksand, as well as by various clayey soils, chernozem mixed with sandy soil, and brown steppe soils. The landscape is either flat or rolling plateaus .
The climate is typically continental, and the terrain even allows polar fronts through in the winter.
Certain ancient varieties are traditionally grown in these sands. Earlier this was the case with the Kadarka variety. Today it is the same with the Kevedinka variety the Muscat Croquant grape from around Novi Bečej.
The varieties are predominantly grown in new vineyards include Italian Riesling, Rhine Riesling and Chardonnay.
The area’s recommended white varieties are Italian Riesling, Župljanka, White Burgundy, Ezerjó, in the zone around Čoka Muscat Ottonel and Sémillon, and Muscat Croquant from Biserno Ostrvo. Recommended red grape varieties include Merlot, Frankovka, Red Burgundy and Cabernet. The sandy terrain, a moderate continental climate and high-quality grapevines yield very appealing wines distinguished by a harmonious, yet refined taste and a gentle bouquet..
The Čoka Winery and the WOW Winery are the leading wine producers in the area. The Čoka Winery produces top-quality wines with the “vitality of a colt”, the most representative being the Merlot, the Muscat Ottonel and Ždrepčeva Krv (Colt’s Blood).The local Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc are also notable.
WINE ROUTES
Vinski Dvor
Produces Chardonnay, Kevedinka, Italian and Rhine Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Red Burgundy
Can accommodate up to 200 wine samplers, has two restaurants and a hotel with 32 rooms.
Hajdukovo bb Phone: (+381) 024/754762 www.vinskidvor.com vinskidvor@suonline.netVinski salaš Čuvardić
Produces: Bouvier, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kadarka and Kevedinka.
Can accommodate up to 30 visitors.
E. Kardelja 139, Subotica Phone: (+381) 024/515 721 www.vinskisalas.com jutkic@yahoo.comDibonis
Produces Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Riesling, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Can accommodate up to 60 visitors for wine tasting and also has a restaurant with 130 seats.
Tuk Ugarnice 14, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/546 067
www.dibonis.com
boni@magnotron.rs
WOW Winery
Josipa Kolumba 33, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/603001.
Produces: Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine sampling hall can accommodate up to 100 people.
www.wowwinery.com;
wow@wowwinery.com
Čoka Winery
Segedinski put 80, Subotica
Phone: (+381) 024/546555
Vinum Lodi
Njegoševa 36, Feketić,
Phone: (+381) 024/738276
Produces Župljanka, Frankovka, Cabernet Sauvignon, Italian and Rhine Riesling
Can accommodate around 40 wine-sampling guests.
www.vinumlodi.co.rs; vinumlodi@gmx.net
Vindulo
Baranji Karolja 17, Temerin
Phone: (+381) 021/843773
Produces Chardonnay, Italian Riesling, Bačka, Frankovka and Cabernet Sauvignon
Can accommodate up to 60 guests for wine sampling.
www.vindulo.com; vindulo@vindulo.com
Visits to cellars are subject to prior arrangement.
The Arena Sabatkienze order of ”Wine Knights” is a local tradition. “Wine Knights” belonging to this order protect and popularize the culture of wine drinking.. Ancient wine customs are cherished with specific rituals, with knights wearing unusual and attractive uniforms. The knights have ranks, and the initiation ritual requires a test of the candidate’s wine expertise.
PLACES TO EAT
Restaurants
Mala Gostiona****
Park Narodnih Heroja 15, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/753447
International and national cuisine, 150 years of tradition
Restaurant and Wine Treasury “Širaz”
Palićki put 14, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/686220
Offers Hungarian and international cuisine and a large selection of wines.
Riblja Čarda****
Obala Lajoša Vremeša bb, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/755040
Offersfish paprikash (a spicy fish stew), fish soup and fish specialties
Villa Viktorija
Jezerska 15, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/754497
International cuisine, pleasant environment
Guljaš Čarda
Ludoški šor 206, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/758093
Offers Vojvodina cuisine as well as specialties with ostrich meat and mangulica pork
Vinski Dvor
Hajdukovo
Phone: (+381) 024/754762
National cuisine
Majkin Salaš
Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/753032
Vojvodina cuisine
Abraham
Horgoški put 132, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/755012
Hungarian cuisine
Perkelt – a typical regional dish- goes well with a Merlot. Cabernet goes well with rooster paprikash (stew), while the local wine Kadarka is a perfect accompaniment to a veal steak with mushrooms.
Sightseeing
Palić lends its name to a lake, a spa and a town which is among the best-known tourist resorts in Serbia. Palić is a stylish summer resort offering a charming environment, entertainment, a baroque park, and a heritage of Secession architecture. Known as a “Champion of Comfort” Palić offers hotels, restaurants, beaches, tennis courts, a casino and a zoo all within a one kilometer radius.
In the vicinity of Palić there are also numerous other attractions, including the Lake Leda special natural reserve, numerous salas (isolated farms) and čardas (traditional inn), an ostrich farm at the Guljaš Čarda, and Zobnatica Stables (30 km from Palić) where thoroughbred horses have been bred for over 200 years.
The nearby town of Subotica, with a population of 100.000 has a picturesque central pedestrian zone. For true connoisseurs, Palić is synonymous with beauty and a sophisticated and unusual cuisine, set against a backdrop of cymbals and violin music that seems to sing. In Palić and Subotica, good food is guaranteed whether one opts for Hungarian, Serbian or Bunjevac cuisine, or even a combination of the three.
In late September, Palić hosts the traditional Grape-Picking Days, a festivital dedicated to grapes and wine.
Tourist information: JP Palić-Ludaš
Kanjiški put 17a
Phone: (+381) 024/753111
www.palic.rs; palic@eunet.rs
Getting There and Accommodations
Subotica lies 181 km north of Belgrade on the international route E75, with the North Exit leading to Palić. The Tompa and Horgos border crossings to Hungary are just 20 km and 52 km from Palić respectively.
Regular bus lines go from Belgrade to Subotica every 90 minutes or so, and there is also a direct Belgrade-Subotica train.
Accommodation
PBG Hotel***
Harambašićeva 21, Subotica
Phone: (+381) 024/556542
Offers 27 rooms with 66 beds
Patria Hotel***
Đure Đakovića bb, Subotica
Phone: (+381) 024/554500
Offers 141 rooms with 237 beds
Prezident Hotel****
Olge Penavin 2, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/622662
Offeris 56 rooms with 112 beds
Park and Jezero hotels****
Park Narodnih Heroja 15, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/753112
Offers a total of 64 rooms with 120 beds
Lira Hotel
Horgoški put 144, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/753032
Offers 13 rooms with 31 beds
Vinski Dvor
Hajdukovo bb
Phone: (+381) 024/754762
Offers 32 rooms with 76 beds
Villa Milord
Splitska Aleja 19, Palić
Phone: (+381) 024/602800
Offers 15 rooms
Cvetni Salaš
Hajdukovo 387
Phone: (+381) 024/753276
Offers 15 rooms with 41 beds