Aleksandrović

The modern winery took shape in 1982, but its defining moment came a decade later: in 1992, the last royal cellarer to serve the Yugoslav court, Živan Tadić, entrusted the family with the original recipe for Trijumf — a wine once poured at royal tables across Europe. That recipe became the foundation of everything Aleksandrović makes today.

Now run by Nikola Aleksandrović, the fourth generation, the winery farms 89 hectares around Oplenac — the hill where Serbia's royal mausoleum stands — and exports to 21 countries. Let's explore what makes this corner of Šumadija so historically loaded.

From Royal Cellars to a Family Recipe: The History of Aleksandrović

The Aleksandrović family's connection to Vinča goes back to 1903, when Miloš Aleksandrović became one of the founding members of the Venčac Winegrowers' Cooperative — planting the first family vines in a region that had already been prized for wine since Roman times, and later celebrated as a royal wine district under the Karađorđević dynasty.

The winery in its current form was established in 1982, but the moment that shaped its whole identity came in 1992. Živan Tadić, who had served as royal cellarer to the Yugoslav court, passed the original recipe for Trijumf — a red blend once served at royal tables across Europe — into the hands of the Aleksandrović family. The first vintage of Trijumf from that recipe gave the winery real momentum and a story no marketing budget could buy.

Today the winery is run by Nikola Aleksandrović, farming 89 hectares of vineyard around Oplenac — the hill crowned by the mausoleum of the Serbian royal family — and producing roughly 300,000 litres a year, with more than a fifth of it exported to 21 countries.

The Taste: Trijumf, Rodoslov, and Šumadija's Native Prokupac

Aleksandrović's range spans an accessible daily range up to two genuinely prestige bottlings:

• Trijumf: The winery's signature red, built from the 1992 royal recipe. A structured blend with dark cherry, tobacco, and spice, and a silkiness that belies its Šumadija origins.
• Rodoslov: A prestige red made only in exceptional vintages — the winemaker's personal statement, and not something you'll find on every wine list.
• Prokupac and Sedam Rodoslova: Wines built around Serbia's own indigenous red grape, showing what Šumadija terroir does with local varieties rather than imported ones.

More Than Wine: Aleksandrović's Place in Šumadija

• A living royal connection: Few wineries anywhere can trace a specific bottle back to a recipe handed down by an actual royal court cellarer.
• Rooted in Oplenac's history: The vineyards sit in the shadow of Serbia's royal mausoleum, tying the winery physically to the country's most symbolically loaded wine region.
• A genuine export success: Selling in 21 countries is a rare achievement for a family winery of this size, and a sign of how far Serbian wine has come since the 1990s.

Perfect Pairings: Enjoying Aleksandrović Wines with Šumadija Food

These are structured, food-friendly wines built for the region's rich table:

• Trijumf: Pairs beautifully with roast lamb, game, or aged Serbian kačkavalj cheese — the tannins are made for rich, slow-cooked dishes.
• Rodoslov: Save it for a special occasion alongside prime cuts of grilled beef or venison.
• Prokupac: A natural match for ćevapi, pljeskavica, or hearty Šumadija stews.

Finding Aleksandrović Wines

• At the source: The winery near Topola offers tours and tastings within the historic Oplenac estate — check vinarijaaleksandrovic.rs to book.
• Across Serbia: Available at better restaurants and wine shops in Belgrade and throughout Šumadija.
• Internationally: Exported to 21 countries, making it one of the more widely available premium Serbian labels abroad.

Živeli uz Aleksandrović! Here's to a recipe fit for a king, still poured from the same hills a century later.