It is always impressive to see how winegrowers in particular attach great importance to tradition and its continuation and transfer into modern times. One of these people and committed winegrowers is Nikola Mladenovic in the Negotin region on the Bulgarian and Romanian border in the far east of Serbia. Negotin has a long history of viticulture dating back to Roman times. After the phylloxera catastrophe at the end of the 19th century, more French grape varieties were brought to the region and established, including Gamay, which originates from Beaujolais. The mix of international French varieties and autochthonous grape varieties has been preserved to this day. Nikola Mladenovic, who is actually more at home in the engineering sector, decided to continue his family's tradition in viticulture in 2007 and started his own project. Today, he cultivates 17 hectares, mainly on a terrace along the Danube. Here, on a terroir of gravel, sand and clay, there are vines of the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot varieties, as well as the indigenous Bagrina. 5 special hectares near the village of Tamnic are dedicated to the Cabernet Sauvignon "Kremen", which has long enjoyed an excellent reputation outside Serbia. After moving into new premises, the winery is now not only technically state-of-the-art, but the tasting room for journalists and visitors is also state of the art. The climate here in eastern Serbia is almost ideal for top winegrowing. The climate is predominantly continental with warm summers and harsh winters, but a mountain range protects the vineyards along the Danube from cold winds, and the Danube has a moderating influence on the one hand, while warmer air currents from the Black Sea, for example, also have access to the vineyards. The Matalj Winery is already setting the tone for a further upswing in the region.
