Mačevo brdo

Mačevo brdo is a wine-growing hill in the municipality of Kutjevo, Požega-Slavonia County, in eastern Croatia's Slavonia region. The hill sits at the foot of the Krndija mountain range and is one of the best-known vineyard positions in the wider Kutjevo wine district.

Where exactly is Mačevo brdo?

The hill is located at coordinates 45.428333 N, 17.871944 E, within the Kutjevo municipal area. To the north it borders the Krndija massif, a range stretching eastward from Papuk, south of Orahovica and Našice and north of Požega. Krndija's highest peak, Kapovac, reaches 792 metres, giving the surrounding countryside a distinctly hilly, layered character.

Why is Mačevo brdo significant?

Mačevo brdo is one of the recognized vineyard positions of the Kutjevo wine district, considered one of the oldest wine-growing areas in Croatia. Graševina dominates on its slopes, alongside Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Cabernet, Traminac, Frankovka, Zweigelt, Chardonnay and Merlot. The hill ranks among the district's top, so-called "grand cru" positions, alongside other well-known sites such as Vidim, Zaječovac, Pod križem, Vinkomir, Mitrovac, Venje and Hrnjevac.

The vineyard on Mačevo brdo was purchased in 1953 by Ivan Mihalj, a winemaker who had arrived in Slavonia from Herzegovina. This hill produced his family winery's first single-vineyard wine, a fact still cited today as the starting point of the local winemaking tradition.

What can you see in the surrounding area?

Beyond the vineyard itself, the landscape is worth noting on its own: rolling, vine-covered hills framed by the wooded slopes of Krndija. It is a typical Slavonian foothill scene, where viticulture and hiking naturally overlap. Krndija is a popular destination for walkers — the Slavonian Mountain Trail (Slavonski planinarski put) runs through the range, and nearby in Londžica, inside a former railway station building, there is a mountain lodge run by the Krndija Mountaineering Society from Našice.

How do you get to Mačevo brdo?

The starting point is the town of Kutjevo, well connected by local roads to Požega in the south and to Našice and Orahovica in the north. From central Kutjevo, local and vineyard access roads lead up to the hill, most conveniently reached by car. Those who prefer walking can pick up trails heading toward Krndija, combining a visit to the surrounding vineyards with a short hike into the foothills.

When is the best time to visit?

Early autumn is especially rewarding, when the grape harvest is underway and the vineyards are at their fullest, while late spring brings fresh green growth to the slopes. Summer is dry and sunny, good for walking among the vines, whereas winter draws hikers looking for quieter, cooler trips into the Krndija range.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mačevo brdo? It is a wine-growing hill in the Kutjevo municipality, one of the district's top vineyard positions, located at the foot of Krndija.

Which grape variety dominates on Mačevo brdo? Mainly Graševina, though Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Cabernet, Traminac, Frankovka, Zweigelt, Chardonnay and Merlot are also grown here.

Can you explore Mačevo brdo on foot? Yes — the area connects to trails leading toward Krndija, including the Slavonian Mountain Trail, so the hill can be worked into a walking route.

How do you reach Mačevo brdo from Kutjevo? By car is easiest, following local roads from central Kutjevo toward the vineyards and the foot of Krndija.