Vineyards

Krauthaker vineyards are found at 45.3° North, the same geographic line that extends westwards through the most famous winegrowing regions of the world: Istria, Piedmont, Val du Rhone, Bordeaux and Oregon..

Kutjevo winegrowing region / Slavonia / Croatia / Europe

Our vineyards are located in Kutjevo winegrowing region on the southern slopes of Krndija – a Slavonian hill partially within Papuk Nature Park. Kutjevo winegrowing region is situated in the northern part of Požega valley. Krauthaker vineyards are found at 45.3° North, the same geographic line that extends westwards through the most famous winegrowing regions of the world: Istria, Piedmont, Val du Rhone, Bordeaux and Oregon.

Elevation of the vineyards relative to the sea level ranges from 200 and 300 metres. As annual precipitation ranges between 500 and 800 mm of rainfall per square metre – the climate, terroir and weather conditions provide excellent environment for winegrowing.

Požega Valley (Vallis Aurea)

Požega Valley as well as slopes of Krndija and Papuk hills was recognized as a winegrowing land by the Illyrians, while the Cistercians, who arrived in the area in the beginning of the 13th century, founded a wine cellar in Kutjevo in 1232, the oldest wine cellar in Croatia today. Ancient Romans also inhabited the Požega Valley and they called to valley “Golden Valley” (Vallis Aurea) as they recognized quality and abundance of the fertile Slavonian soil.

In a distant past, Požega Valley was covered by the Pannonian Sea – slopes of the Krndija and Papuk hills and present locations of our vineyards were sand beaches, while the Pannonian Sea was teaming with sea creatures whose fossilized remains may now be found at numerous archaeological sites.

Vineyard micro-location

Our vineyards are situated in several locations. Over time, we have realized that each one of the locations, even though not far apart, is specific and yielding grapes used to make wines with particular characteristics. Therefore we began incorporating particular micro-locations and corresponding toponyms in wine labels. Even though the same varieties are used, different wines made of grapes from each of the micro-locations differ in bouquet, aroma, terroir and other properties specific to the wines.

Soil

Sandy soil at higher elevation, with scarce humus, formed atop sediment rocks, provides an ideal, warm base for grapes during its vegetation period in July, August and September. The soil is often rocky and loamy, and combined with below average precipitation, it requires both experience and vast knowledge. The soil is fertilized using manure only, and planting density of 7,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare provides each plant with a living area of approximately 1.4 square metres.

Land area

All this started on a single hectare of land in 1993, steadily expanding to 29 hectares of vineyards owned by Krauthaker Vinery by 2010, with additional 55 hectares owned by contracted suppliers. Winter ploughing and summer vineyard cultivation are performed using horses, both because of financial advantages and because of an environmentally friendly approach and philosophy of our production.

• Exposed southward facing vineyards, protected from northern winds, provide an ideal opportunity for environmentally friendly winegrowing
• 45.3° north – latitude connecting significant winegrowing areas: Kutjevo, Istria, Piedmont, Val du Rhone, Bordeaux and Oregon.

Cultivars

Apart from indigenous Graševina (Welschriesling) comprising 63 percent of our plantation, further 37 different vine cultivars are grown in our vineyards. White wine varieties, apart from the aforementioned Graševina (Welschriesling), include Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Zelenac, while our red wine varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Portugieser.

Harvesting

The grapes are handpicked only. Climate properties of the winegrowing areas, and of the climate of Požega Valley, allow not only for a regular harvest but also an extension winegrowing season well into cold days in January when temperatures drop below -10 degrees Centigrade or lower. Due to that fact, all other types of harvest are also carried out in our vineyards. Spätlese [lit. "late harvest"], beerenauslese (BA) [lit. "selected harvest of berries"], trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) [lit. "selected harvest of dried berries"].

Krauthaker vineyards

Wine tastings are offered to visiting groups, accompanied with interesting information on winemaking, are held by a professional sommelier.
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Two medals for Krauthaker wines

Croatian wine producer Krauthaker has won two medals at the international Merlot competition Mondial du Merlot 2011 held in Lugano, Switzerland in November.

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Krauthaker took away 3 gold medals

Krauthaker took away 2 medals in France

Krauthaker's success at Decanter WWA