The golden age of our viticulture began with a wine revival made by the Habzburzi in the territory of Herzegovina. Aware of the treasures they found in this rugged area, they immediately get to work.
The first wine-growing station was this one, ours, in Pusnice near Mostar – established in 1886. After numerous analyses, their trained people made a selection and decided that it was necessary to give absolute advantage to the domestic indigenous variety.
Studies have shown that the highest quality varieties in Europe and even some oriental quality and drinkability were far below Žilavka and Blatina, so they directed all their strengths to the production of top quality wines from this region.
Viennese Hofburg started producing these amazing beverages “für eigene Bedürfnisse”, so the people immediately called the vineyard station in Gnojnice imperial vineyards. Žilavka was declared the world’s famous wine and then collected all the accolades at wine fairs in Vienna, Barcelona, London and Paris.
Blatina
WINE NOTES
This wine is made of 100% Blatina, an indigenous grape of the Hercegovina region. Blatina variety, has a functional female flower, rendering it auto-sterile, meaning it requires other varieties to be planted nearby in order to pollinate and allow fruits. Blatina produces a delicious dry red wine with a dark, ruby red color. It opens gradually on the nose with soft aromas of black currant and elderberry and a hint of liquorice. The palate reveals full, fresh notes of dark berries, traces of dried figs, roasted almonds, ripe plums and chocolate, with an undertone of minerality and a savory dash of saltiness. Delicious freshness highlights the well-integrated acidity. A perfect summer grill wine.
Vintage: 2016
Wine Type: Red
Varietal: Blatina
Alc: 13%
Region: Mostar, Bosnia
Wine Maker: Carski Vinogradi
Vranac
WINE NOTES
This wine is made of 100% Vranac, a kingpin grape of the Herzegovina wine region, closely related to Zinfandel and Primitivo. This is a very seductive wine with fresh acidity and discreet fruitiness; Light scents of violet and a hint of wisteria mark the nose. Soft currant and elderberry flavors are accompanied by an undertone of rose hip. An elegant, minerally wine with notes of plum, blackberry and a pinch of saltiness. So fresh, balanced and pleasant for every day drinking.
Vintage: 2015
Wine Type: Red
Varietal: Vranac
Alc: 13%
Region: Mostar,Bosnia
Wine Maker: Carski vinogradi
Plavac Mali
WINE NOTES
This wine is made of 100% Plavac Mali, a grape variety of the Herzegovina wine region which has a Mediterranean climate and a limestone rich soil. This very tasty and elegant wine exhibits ripe pomegranate, plum and almonds, currants, and other dark red fruit flavors. Authentic, pure and very well balanced, with wonderful tannin and acidity integration. A lovely wine to pair with vegetarian dishes
Vintage: 2018
Wine Type: Red
Varietal: Plavac Mali
Alc: 13%
Region: Mostar,Bosnia
Wine Maker: Carski vinogradi
Trnjak
WINE NOTES
Trnjak is an indigenous grape variety of Herzegovina (Her-tsuh-GOH-vee-nuh) wine region. This bold, but elegant full bodied, wine has lots of herbal notes and abundance of spices. On a palate one can taste clove, vanilla and cinnamon, ripe aromas of currant, raspberry, cherry and plum jam. Pair it with spicy cheeses, grilled lamb, beef stews, steaks. Vegan wine. Serve at 65 F to 68 F. 13.5% ALC.
Interesting fact: Trnjak is best known for being Blatina’s pollinator, as both varieties bloom at the same time. Blatina is very difficult to cultivate as it has female only flower, blooms only for three days and requires a pollinator to be planted in the same field. The winery Citluk has planted a row of Blatina, a row of Trnjak, 2 rows of Blatina, a row of Trnjak and so on. The goal is that Blatina has Trnjak at least on one side. A unilateral Guyot trained vine that has one cordon and all shoots are positioned into catch wires on a vertical trellis. Very small production.
Vintage: 2015
Wine Type: Red
Varietal: Trnjak
Alc: 13%
Region: Mostar,Bosnia
Wine Maker: Carski vinogradi
Zilavka
WINE NOTES
Fresh lively version of orange wine. Does not exhibit the bitterness nor oxidation.
Notes of wild honey, sweet citrus, green tropical fruits, star fruit, green melon, slight effervescent texture with refreshing, balanced acidity that elevates the fruit aspect. Mid length on the palate. The acidity is perfectly integrated, revealing an elegant wine with beautiful structure.
This typical warm climate white variety gives wine that is crystal clear, greenish-yellow in color with rich, nutty flavor. EMPORIA Žilavka pairs perfectly with mild cheeses, fish and white meat specialties. The harvesting of grapes begins early in the morning so as to take advantage of the natural temperature of grapes.
The grapes are hand-picked into the PVC crates of 20 kg capacity and, after harvest, the crates are placed in the refrigerated storage and cooled at 12-15 °C. Following the crushing and destemming, the mash is put in the vinificators for the cryomaceration (cold soak) at 10 °C for 10-12 hours. Extracting color from the skin making it orange wine. After maceration, the mash is sent through the press into fermenters of 5000 l capacity and the fermentation is controlled at 12-13 °C. Following the fermentation, the new wine is racked off the gross lees (dead yeast cells and particles of fruit) into 5000 l capacity tanks, where the wine maturates over 6-12 months on the fine lees with intermittent stirring to enrich the wine with mannoproteins. Filtration at the end to remove fine lees.
Serving temperature: 50-54°F.
Vintage: 2019
Wine Type: White
Varietal: Zilavka
Alc: 12%
Region: Mostar,Bosnia
Wine Maker: Carski vinogradi
Stone Cuvee
WINE NOTES
This wine is made of 90% ZILAVKA and 10% BENA, indigenous grapes of the sun washed Herzegovina region. Clean and refreshing, showing elegance and flavors of green apples, lychee and honey, scents of chamomile and verbena with a slight mineral tone. The ripe, warm flavors of apricot, star fruit and a hint of anise are coddled by juicy acidity, fine minerality and a long herbal-toned finish. Best paired with white meat dishes and seafood.
Vintage: 2018
Wine Type: White
Varietal: Stone Cuvee
Alc: 12%
Region: Mostar,Bosnia
Wine Maker: Carski vinogradi
All of the wines at Cardel Wines are carefully chosen for the natural,
organic properties and unique tasting notes.
If you are interested in setting up a tasting of our
Spanish wine portfolio please get in touch.
We look forward to serving you!
