The wine-growing region of Zupa is located in the south of Serbia, surrounded by mountains that provide shelter for the vines. The climate, a mixture of measured continental climate and Mediterranean climate, is ideally suited to viticulture. And this is exactly where the small family business Vino Budimir, one of the best wineries in Serbia, is located. The winery can look back on 130 years of history and the vineyards and cellar are now managed by the 4th generation. The vineyards cover 11 hectares, and the estate is particularly proud of its parcels with 100-year-old vines of the indigenous Prokupac variety, which are probably among the oldest in Serbia. These old parcels are located above the Drenca monastery on a south-facing vineyard. However, grapes are also purchased from trusted winegrowers who can deliver the required quality. Since the winery was renovated in 2006, it has also met high international standards in terms of modernity. One focus of cultivation is on the indigenous varieties Prokupac and Tamjanika, the common variety of Yellow Muscat here, but international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir can also be found in the vineyards. Together in the blend, this mixture results in exciting wines, with the SVB Rosa, a cuvée of 60% Prokupac and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, being awarded 91 points by the renowned American trade magazine "Wine Advocate", making it the magazine's highest-rated wine in Serbia. The wine critic James Suckling even once awarded it 92 points. Intervening as little as possible in the winemaking process is a cornerstone of the winemaking philosophy. The wines are matured in oak barrels of various sizes, which are often filled for the third or fourth time. The white wines are made from Gelber Muskateller and, rather exotic for the country, Riesling. The red wines are blends of Prokupac with Cabernt Sauvignon and/or Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir and, of course, Prokupac, which is even bottled as a single varietal wine. Also noteworthy are the labels, which not only meet modern requirements, but are real eye-catchers in their own right!
