Shiny "Pearl of Banat" - Vinastra develops wine and recreational tourism in the farthest north of Deliblato Sands

(Pearl of Banat)

In the farthest north of Deliblato Sands, in the village of Ilandza, nearly 60,000 vines of various grape sorts are planted on an area spanning 18 hectares. The constructed part of a contemporary wine cellar, of which annual production capacity will be 350,000 liters of wine, is planned to become the center of a future vineyard cooperative in this part of Banat.

Dejan Stankovic, owner of the wine cellar Vinastra, has rented the location of former illegal landfill, which used to be situated alongside vineyards in Ilandza, and started reorganizing it. Then he bought mainly neglected surrounding lots from local inhabitants and, thus, increased the surface of his land from 2.5 to 36 ha. In the location where once a landfill was situated, there is now a beautiful ecologically clean lake with water coming from the depth of 180 meters. There are several types of fish in the lake, as well as two artificial islands, fishing platforms, and a geyser. The offer is supplemented by bicycle and walking trails 1,350 meters long.

(Dejan Stankovic in front of the entrance to vineyards where a wine castle will be built)

Construction of a wine castle for the congress tourism, modeled after the 19th century castles in Banat, will commence next year, at the edge of Deliblato Sands.

The company Vinastra also plans to have an ethno village with 14 bungalows, a spa and wellness center (where cosmetic products made of grapes will be used), and tennis and other sports courts built in the following period. As people at Vinastra announced for eKapija, the complex will also comprise a thoroughbred horse farm, as well as an eco-park where visitors will be served the food prepared at the spot.

Banat's cuisine and best wines

A top-quality wine made by the French technology, specialties from Banat's and the Central European cuisines, an ecological oasis perfect for the recovery of body and spirit, sports fishing, and bird and small game hunts are all part of the offer of Banatski Biser (Pearl of Banat). This complex is built on once devastated land in the village of Ilandza, the homeland of Milos Crnjanski.

Banatski Biser organizes for its visitors a "wine tasting excursion with a refreshment", which includes an one-day stay in a sports and recreational complex, a walk along "the paths of surprise", a walk through a vineyard, wine tasting and domestic specialties. The company also organizes "Branch Event" within the complex for companies, which includes an one-day stay at the lake, the use of sports courts, as well as the possibility of using 4 platforms for sports fishing, all that accompanied by barbecue specialties and wine.

Visitors will also be able to taste the fish bred in the mineral water of the lake in Ilandza. For the tours organized in advance, people at Banatski Biser also prepare a fish stew and fish specialties.

Sports fishing and bird and small game hunting

Within the sports and recreational complex Banatski Biser in Ilandza, at the lake filled with mineral water, there are 24 platforms, specially designed in accordance with IFS standards. Each of these platforms has its own access path. The line of platforms represents one of the largest in the Balkans and it is ideal for the organization of various types of fishing contests, which are held four times a year.

During the hunting season, which is open between October 15 and February 15, special pheasant, mallard, wild goose, quail, dove, partridge, hare, fox and jackal hunting tours are organized. Hunting takes place on hunting days - Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Banatski Biser provides a hound, while guests can also bring their own hounds. This hunting experience is made complete with a hunter's breakfast around a campfire.

Bicycle and trim trails for recreational athletes and pony club for kids

Within the scope of an one-day stay in the sports and recreational complex Banatski Biser, those who love recreational cycling can rent a bicycle. There is also a playhouse for kids in the vicinity. A real attraction for children is pony riding.

Vinastra wine cellar

The vineyards of Vinastra wine cellar are situated in the farthest north of Deliblato Sands, at the edge of the village of Ilandza, and they occupy an area of 18 hectares where nearly 60,000 vines of various grape sorts are planted.

Vinastra grows white grapes Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Italian Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminac and Muscat Ottonel, and black grapes Black Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Frankovka, which are used in the making of top-quality wines by the French technology.

This young wine cellar, which had its first grape picking last year, has entered the market with its offer of high-quality wines. It makes white wines Sauvignon Blanc, White Burgundy, Muscat Ottonel, and red wines Frankovka and Rose of Black Burgundy enriched with 10 percent of Muscat Hamburg.

Thanks to a blend of knowledge, tradition and experience, the vineyard is built in the location where an old family wine cellar was situated in 1914.