A UNIQUE VINEYARD IN FOČA: 106 VARIETIES OF GRAPES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

On the right bank of the Ćehotina River, about seven kilometers upstream from Foča, lies a truly unique vineyard filled with Russian and Ukrainian grape varieties. This unusual project is the work of Srebrenko Kunovac, a passionate winegrower who started the vineyard out of curiosity and a love for nature.

PHOTO: Radio Foča

Although the vineyard covers only a single dunum of land, Kunovac cultivates as many as 106 grape varieties, originating from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, the United States, Moldova, and the Czech Republic. His goal is to discover the most resilient and highest-quality types, expand their cultivation, and inspire others to join in.

Among these unusual varieties, some produce giant clusters weighing more than two kilograms. “Last year, I weighed one cluster that reached 2.7 kilograms. This year again, many clusters exceed two kilograms,” Kunovac told Radio Foča.

The vineyard offers a remarkable diversity: small and large berries, seeded and seedless grapes, in a wide spectrum of colors, shapes, aromas, and flavors. One standout is the American variety “Halloween,” with spiky, hedgehog-like clusters that add a touch of exoticism to the vineyard.

Kunovac began the project four years ago, initially experimenting with local varieties from Bosnia and Serbia, which struggled to thrive without chemical treatment. His breakthrough came when he connected with Russian and Ukrainian growers online, who sent him cuttings of their robust grape varieties. Despite initial failures, persistence paid off: today, his vineyard is thriving, and some 15 varieties have already adapted excellently to the local climate.

However, the work is not without challenges. Late spring frosts and high humidity along the Ćehotina River pose constant threats. Still, Kunovac insists on avoiding chemicals, determined to cultivate naturally resilient vines. “Out of the 106 varieties, 10 to 15 have shown exceptional resistance and productivity,” he explains.

In addition to the vineyard, Kunovac has set up a small nursery to distribute vines to fellow Foča residents. “I would love to see grapevines in every household in our town. Foča used to be a wine-growing region until the phylloxera disease wiped out the vineyards. But with climate change and enough sunny days, I believe viticulture can return here,” he says.

His vineyard includes renowned Russian varieties such as “Preobrazhenie,” “Victor,” and “Jubilej Novočerkasska,” along with many seedless Muscat grapes and exotic types like “Chameleon,” “Harmonija,” “Galahad,” “Bajkonor,” and “Swings.”

Though challenging, Kunovac says the work brings him joy. “As the saying goes, ‘The vineyard needs a servant, not a master.’ It requires constant care, but I enjoy every moment I spend among the vines.”

Focused mainly on table grapes, Kunovac is also experimenting with wine varieties such as Ukraine’s “Livadski Čornij.” His harvest stretches from early August until the first frosts in November. This year alone, his vines yielded over two tons of grapes.

For Kunovac, the vineyard is less a business and more a living experiment to adapt and preserve extraordinary grape varieties—some of which cannot be found in any store.