White Žilavka, a dry and balanced wine with a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, is a characteristic representative of viticulture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first vintners in the area of the current federation were the Turks who founded vineyards in the area as early as the 13th century. The most productive area is in the triangle between Mostar, the capital city of Herzegovina, the border town of Čapljina and the village of Medžugorie.

The wine from this region acquired international prestige in the 19th century, when it was included on the menu of the Habsburg royal imperial court to compete for the favour of the crowned heads with Dalmatian red Dingač and Hungarian Tokay. Žilavka remains the number one among wines from Herzegovina, although Stone wine has the fame of an uncrowned king.

The secret of the dry white Stone wine is not based in its specific taste, but especially in its origin. The vineyard belongs to the Hepok Mostar company, in the village of Čitluk, situated 30 kilometres south of Mostar, and it is the world's only vineyard of its kind. As suggested by the name of the wine itself, the grapes necessary for its production are grown on a stone field with fertile land lying below a 60 cm to 2 metre layer of sandstone, which means that the plants take root at an average of 1.5 metres below the surface. According to Želko Juka, administrator of the vineyard, there are 230 thousand roots planted on an 80-hectare area and their annual yield is 45 wagon-loads of grapes. The wine production reaches 250 thousand litres, which is bottled in numbered bottles and exported to Croatia and Germany. Originally, vine was grown in this area as early as during the times of the Turks. However, after World War II, the vineyards declined and their production was only revived as late as 1968. The World Bank and the European Union contribute to maintain this unique place.

Slovak Trade FORUM