Zmajevac, Kneževi Vinogradi

Zmajevac lies on the slopes of Bansko Brdo in Baranja, where the defining landscape is not a central square but a network of surduci—sunken lanes lined with gatori, traditional wine cellars dug into loess. Their temperature remains around 12–15°C throughout the year, so the village architecture tells a direct story of winemaking and storage. Three cellar districts offer distinct scenes: Ružina Street gathers several small producers, the Catholic Surduk combines cellars with Josić restaurant and winery, and the Reformed or Scholars’ Surduk begins at the Calvinist church. Graševina is the dominant grape, while some Zmajevac growers preserve the much rarer blue Kadarka. The village is therefore best explored on foot, moving from the church through the cellar lanes with tastings arranged in advance. On 25–26 September 2026, the Wine Marathon turns those same surduci into a route of tastings, music and competitive cellar visits. Zmajevac has a clinic and a pharmacy with limited opening days, while broader services are available in Kneževi Vinogradi and Beli Manastir. Osijek is approximately 36 kilometres south, and a car or bicycle is more practical than relying on infrequent local connections when exploring Baranja’s wine villages.

Zmajevac is a wine village on Bansko Brdo whose layout is shaped by three surduci lined with cellars dug into loess. The gatori are not decorative scenery: their steady temperature of roughly 12–15°C supported grape processing and wine storage. Ružina Street is home to the Čočić, Guštin, Majorić and Varga winemakers; the Catholic Surduk gathers Čokot Čarda, Josić and other cellars; and the Reformed Surduk begins at the Calvinist church. This blend of Hungarian heritage, church landmarks and active winemaking distinguishes Zmajevac from neighbouring Baranja villages.