Skip to Content

Šumadija Wine Festival

Where Heritage Meets the Future of Balkan Wines

Great Wines, Deep Roots

One region. Thirty wineries. A thousand stories in every glass. Welcome to the most exciting wine destination in the Balkans. At its heart lies the Šumadija Wine Festival 2025 — a coming-of-age celebration for a region redefining itself as a premier wine hub in Southeast Europe. This is more than tasting; it’s about identity, terroir, and raising a glass with purpose.

Welcome to Šumadija — a region ready to be seen, savored, and celebrated. At the Šumadija Wine Festival 2025, the heart of Serbian wine tourism comes alive as the country’s top wineries present their finest creations.

History: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Šumadija Wines

The Venčac Wine Cooperative was well ahead of its time. It had modest beginnings on September 2, 1903, in the village of Banja near Aranđelovac, where eighteen local farmers came together to establish it. It was the first in the region to produce brandy (‘vinjak’) and vermouth from pure wine distillates, and by 1929, under the guidance of a French winemaker named Jobin, it began crafting sparkling wine using the traditional French méthode champenoise. That same year, renowned German expert Emil Reder introduced state-of-the-art European winemaking techniques, establishing Venčac as a remarkable center of progress in interwar Balkan viticulture. By 1930, the cooperative was already connected to the electric grid—while many towns across Yugoslavia were still illuminated by gas lamps.

According to local tradition, King Peter I was once a member of the Venčac Wine Cooperative but parted ways after seeking higher prices for his grapes. His son, King Alexander Karađorđević, encountered similar challenges—so in 1931, after not receiving special consideration at the cooperative, he chose to build the impressive royal wine cellar on Oplenac, featuring two underground levels and a capacity of 400,000 liters. Following World War II, much of this heritage was at risk, as the cooperative was nationalized and royal vineyards were confiscated, leading to a period of decline for winemaking in Šumadija.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that a renewal took hold, driven by dedicated wineries such as Aleksandrović and Radovanović, which helped restore Šumadija as an important hub of Serbian viticulture, now boasting over 1,100 hectares of vineyards. Learn more about Šumadija’s wine history at the Vinopedia website.

Why Wine Festivals Like Šumadija Matter in Today’s Wine Tourism

As wine tourism rises globally, wine festivals become critical economic and cultural drivers. They turn wine into a connection — between hands that make it and hearts that seek it. Šumadija Wine Festival does all this — with elegance, edge, and unmistakable Serbian charm.

It’s more than a festival — it’s Šumadija’s celebration. A spotlight on the Balkans’ most exciting wine scene and a rare chance to sip the future of a region reborn.

Šumadija Wine Region: Serbia’s New Old World of Wine

Šumadija is the driving force behind Serbia’s wine renaissance. Picture this: rolling vineyards draped across sun-drenched hills, caressed by mountain air and rooted in mineral-rich Balkan soils. It’s not Tuscany or Bordeaux, but it carries the same confidence. Welcome to Šumadija, the New Old World of wine.

Šumadija is home to some of the country’s best and most ambitious wineries:

  • Aleksandrović Winery – The undisputed icon. Well-known for Trijumf, Vožd, Rodoslov, Harizma, and their famed Trijumf wine. Elegant and complex wines; deeply rooted in Serbian heritage.
  • Radovanović Winery – The master of reds. Their Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a benchmark: powerful, structured, and built to age. Mr. Radovanović helped set the standard for what premium Serbian wine can be.
  • Despotika Winery – Champions of rare native grapes like Morava and Prokupac are redefined through modern winemaking finesse. Their bottles tell a story Serbia almost lost.
  • King’s Winery - The royal winery and vineyards at the foot of Oplenac in Topola are among Serbia’s oldest, founded by King Peter I and developed by his successor, King Alexander I. Today, the winery combines tradition with modern winemaking.
  • Art Wine – A boutique gem turning heads with its expressive, small-lot wines. This is art in a bottle, and the world is starting to notice.

These aren’t just wineries — they’re visionaries, creating wines that firmly place Šumadija vineyards on the global map.

Šumadija’s wines are confident and versatile. Whites are crisp, mineral, and vibrant. Reds are layered, powerful, and smooth. Rosés? Think alpine strawberries and silk — summer in a glass. This is Šumadija: unfiltered, unforgettable, and undeniably rising.

Food and Wine Pairings: Šumadija’s Culinary Delights

In Šumadija, gastronomy isn’t a pairing — it’s a passionate affair. Local kitchens serve up flavors that beg for a great bottle. Think slow-roasted lamb, kajmak-laced cornbread, forest mushrooms, and homemade charcuterie.

Each bite pairs perfectly with wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Prokupac, or sparkling Tamjanika. At the festival, wine dinners take this to the next level. In Šumadija, chefs and winemakers work together to create dishes and wines that bring out the best in each other. Together, they tell a tasty story. And the glass? Always full, always welcoming.

Aleksandrović Winery offers a unique food and wine pairing experience, available daily by prior reservation. Their Premium Wine & Food Pairing program features a six-course menu paired with seven carefully selected wines. 

Meet the Winemakers: Stories Behind Šumadija’s Finest Wines

At the Šumadija Wine Festival, winemakers don’t stand behind tables — they stand at the heart of the experience. Pouring with pride. It’s sharing passion and dreaming with every glass.

Discover how Aleksandrović winery revived a royal wine recipe thanks to Živan Tadić, the royal cellar master who, in 1992, sent the original ‘Trijumf’ recipe that sparked the rebirth of Oplenac’s winemaking tradition. Learn how Despotika rescued the nearly extinct Morava grape, breathing new life into one of the Balkans’ forgotten treasures. Meet passionate young vintners producing wines full of character and soul, working side by side with seasoned growers who bring decades of experience and tradition.

Wine Tourism in Šumadija: The Next Big Wine Destination

Šumadija is just an hour from Belgrade, with top-tier wineries, scenic vineyards, and rich royal heritage. The Šumadija Wine Festival draws attention from media, investors, and travelers. With bold winemakers, distinct terroir, and unforgettable pairings, Šumadija offers more than wine—it offers edge, depth, and discovery.

Walk the vineyards. Feel the soil. Taste the soul. Meet the rule-breakers behind the barrels and the storytellers at the stove — one great glass at a time.

Explore Exclusive Wine Tours and Tastings in Šumadija with Winera

Vinarija Aleksandrovic

Start your journey at the iconic Aleksandrović Winery. Discover Despotika Winery, a pioneer in showcasing indigenous grapes like Prokupac and Morava. At Radovanović Winery, savor full-bodied reds and delicate whites created by one of Serbia’s most respected winemakers. Explore hidden gems like Draganić and Tarpoš, offering boutique tastings, scenic views, and rich food pairings that complete the experience.

To experience it all, just visit the Winera website!

 Plan Your Visit: Key Details for Šumadija Wine Festival 2025

The 11th Šumadija Wine Festival features over 150 wines from 30 local wineries, including 4 from the Levač region. It offers great wine tastings, workshops, art exhibitions, and jazz concerts, celebrating Šumadija’s winemaking inheritance and authentic styles. Held at the historic Karađorđev konak in Topola, the event attracts wine professionals and enthusiasts, aiming to boost the region’s reputation at home and abroad. Founded in 2013, the Šumadija Wine Association promotes the quality and origin of local wines, with key wineries like Aleksandrović showcasing a diverse selection.

📌 Planning a visit?

Key information:

📅 June 14, Saturday, 5 PM

📍 Karađorđe’s Konak (Residence), Topola

💶 Ticket price: 1,000 RSD

🎼 Concert – Trio F

Plan your visit now – discover tours, tastings, and exclusive wine experiences at winera.com. Begin your journey with Aleksandrović, Despotika, Radovanović, or Art Wine. Lose yourself in the irresistible magic of Šumadija’s finest wines.

Hashtags:

🔎 #Winera #Travellier #wine #ŠumadijaWineFestival #WineFestival2025 #SerbianWine #ŠumadijaWine #BalkanWines #TasteSerbia #TasteŠumadija #WineTourism #WineExperience #WineLovers #WineLoversParadise #VineyardVibes #DrinkLikeALocal #TopolaTastes #NewOldWorldWine #Šumadija #Serbia

Sign in to leave a comment