Ilocki Podrumi, Croatian Wine Fit for the Queen's Coronation in 1953

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It is closer to Zagreb than Split, and yet for many, Croatia's easternmost town of Ilok seems to be at the end of the world.
Make the journey, however, and you will be rewarded with wines fit for royalty and a wine-making tradition dating back to Roman times.
Meet the wine which was served at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and again at the weddings of Princes William and Harry. And then hear the incredible story of how 1,200 bottles of the royal 1947 Traminac were saved after the Serbs took control of the winery during the Homeland War.
This video was shot by Steve Tsentserensky in November 2021, while the Queen was still alive, which explains the words in the National Anthem at the end. You can learn more about Ilok and eastern Croatia in my Total Croatia News article of that trip, Slavonia, Full of Life: Time to Tell the Truth about Eastern Croatia - www.total-croatia-news.com/ed...
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Want to learn more about the realities of living in this flawed but majestic country? Our new book, Croatia, a Survival Guide for Foreigners is now available on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Croatia-Surviv...
Video produced by Igor Vuk of Wolf Media.
For your daily dose of Croatia, check out www.total-croatia-news.com
Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn - / paul-bradbury-58662a85

[@TB-pu9qm]

I am so glad you shared that story. That guy is a hero. His name is Franjo Volf. He deserve to be remembered.

[@PaulBradbury]

Thanks for the info. Is he still alive?

[@zeljkosafar7682]

@@PaulBradbury he was still alive 4 months ago when I last heard something about him. I hope he is still alive and kicking 🙂

[@TB-pu9qm]

@@PaulBradbury He is as I know.

[@ilockipodrumi6663]

Dear Paul, thank you so much for such an amazing video about out history and for promoting this very eastern part of Croatia, it really means a lot. See you again in Iločki podrumi. :)

[@PaulBradbury]

Thank you making such amazing wines and serving them with such great hospitality. See you again soon I hope.

[@tfebster]

Always amazed by the wealth of knowledge and stories you bring to these videos.

[@importedvixen]

Fantastic Video! Thank you Paul for promoting other parts of Croatia not only the sea side.. Slavonija, Baranja,Ilok are all places with the heart & soul and good people… If that regions were in Italy they would be much appreciated.. I am a Sommelier as well as my British husband.. We are always proud to mention that Italian Chianti keep their vines in Slavonijan oak.

[@PaulBradbury]

Thank you - Slavonian oak is the best. Thankfully, Slavonian barrels are once more being produced here. Until recently, the raw oak was exported to Italy and the barrels made there.

[@Wache3]

@@PaulBradbury if I may suggest one interesting story you can explore (ofc, if you will find it interesting) is - as you are probably aware that kravat (tie) originate from Croatia, did you know that there was also long tradition of harvesting silk. In Nova Gradiska there is Croata factory and there were attempts to restore old ways of growing silk moths (I'm not sure if I used proper terms here), but I'm not sure what happened with that (the cravat factory works and they making higest quality of cravats and scarfs).

[@importedvixen]

@@PaulBradbury yes you are right 👍

[@zagrepcanin82]

@@PaulBradbury not just that Paul...during the time of Josip Juraj Strossmayer,cardinal of Đakovo,about 18 000(that number is ringing in my head) per year were exported to France

[@inzagusluciano988]

I was there and heard that story from waiter! Ilocki podrumi have such a historic stories.

[@PaulBradbury]

It is a fabulous place

[@matlionis6110]

The only bad thing about all of this is that, and you will excuse my forwardness, one Brit who has been living in Croatia for 20 years has done more for promoting for Croatia than all the politicians and so called experts in those 20 years. Thank you

[@PaulBradbury]

Haha tx. I couldn't possibly comment.

[@zagrepcanin82]

God save the king! Congrats Paul

[@PaulBradbury]

Haha, this video is already out of date

[@zagrepcanin82]

@@PaulBradbury i know but since its about coronation and today Charles has been crowned i felt like its ok to congratulate you on your new soverign

[@aleksandarsimic8172]

The nearest airports to ILOK are those in Osjek or Belgrade.. From there you are 1 hour drive. I am from NOVI SAD (it is 45min drive away) and each week I visit Ilok to enjoy their amazing vine. I strongly recommend visiting there and IT IS NOT AT THE END OF THE WORLD!!

[@PaulBradbury]

I agree with you - it just seems that way to a lot of people in Croatia

[@aleksandarsimic8172]

@@PaulBradbury Yes, for those who are already in Croatia. I just added the info for many others.

[@riobabic8960]

You make great videos Paul ! I’m half English, half Croatian and born in Canada. I’ve been influenced by the best of both cultures ! I love old English sitcoms and sports. I also like Croatian sports, music and food ! I really can relate to English humour which my Ecuadorian wife doesn’t.

[@PaulBradbury]

Great to hear! Lotd more coming if you want to subscribe

[@LZ-Cro-minator]

I am very glad that you advertised Eastern Croatia. It was unknown to most of Europe, and ours, for unknown reasons, would never present Slavonia and Srijem like this. You did a very good job. 👍

[@PaulBradbury]

Thanks - it is a great region.

[@dino91vu]

Thanks a lot for promotion of my hometown in such great manner 🙂 It is truly amazing town to visit, unfortunately a lot of population has left the city due to economic reasons myself included. Before the war there were about 10 000 people living, but today this number is cca. 3000. We also have 2 major events one in september called Iločka berba grožđa which means Ilok’s grape harvesting and one in January called Vinkovo which is the day of baptising young wine. On this two occasions we have a lot of fun stuff to offer, feel free to visit us again 😃

[@PaulBradbury]

Thanks for the info. I actually do want to some back soon. Ilok had a really interesting feel to it - want to explore more. That last drive along the river is magical.

[@powderskier5547]

Will put it on my list of places to visit in Croatia

[@PaulBradbury]

It is a fantastic region - here is an overview of what else you can see - www.total-croatia-news.com/editorial/58263-slavonia-full-of-life

[@locochoco5959]

You are a really good on making videos. Could easily watch 10 more minutes.

[@PaulBradbury]

Thank you! Lots more coming if you want to subscribe.

[@TomRelic]

Wow!

[@PaulBradbury]

Great story, no?

[@TomRelic]

@@PaulBradbury very interesting!

[@grgaperos]

Great video Paul! However, I'm afraid one word in the lyrics of the British anthem is outdated.🤭

[@PaulBradbury]

Haha, yes but it was recorded in 2021

[@micksaitlik2693]

I can c a movie about this

[@PaulBradbury]

It is a great story

[@Bouvier839]

I heard about that a long time ago and I have always had mixed feelings about it. I was never a fond of the royal family due to the fact of how much they exploited the poor (often violently). Now, on the other hand, it was a great publicity for such unknown vinery.

[@PaulBradbury]

Ilocko Podrumi is a great story on every level

[@Bouvier839]

@@PaulBradbury indeed it is. Thank you for everything you're doing for Croatia!