Winemaking cooperative Izba Wine founded – Home of Merlot in Vele Polje near Nis

The winemaking cooperative called Izba Wine has been founded in Vele Polje near Nis, with Merlot as the central variety.

The Nis area was not known for its wines before the Izba winery started showcasing its Merlot wine, which soon became very popular. While Ivan Jovanovic was thinking about adding half a hectare or even a whole hectare to his vineyard, which covered a hectare and a half of land, an unexpected twist occurred.

During a visit to the Izba winery in the summer of 2018, the local Merlot delighted a man originally from Nis, who made a proposition for a joint financing of a project.

He recommended to small producers in the area to start working together, helping them establish a cooperative, named Izba Wine in order to make the brand recognizable.

Seven producers were registered initially and another two have prepared the land and are in the process of joining. Jovanovic was appointed director and 11.8 hectares have been prepared, while another few are being bought. Agreements on an additional five hectares of land have been made, provided that as many are found by the autumn, when the preparations for the sowing are to start. The vineyards will primarily feature Merlot and a certain amount of Prokupac and potentially a little Cabernet Franc.

– Things are going fast. The facility for the production and storage of wine will most probably be built in Vele Polje and the wines will probably be marketed under several labels. The members of the cooperative will have their shares proportional to the size of their vineyards. We will also produce roses, and the cellar will feature Serbian and French oak barrels.

Zadruga 100 Žena Vele Polje

Izba Wine

Vele Polje

Merlot

Ivan Jovanovic

Prokupac

winemaking in Serbia