Franko Milina Bire is maybe not one of the winemakers with the longest wine making tradition in Lumbarda, but he will definitely be recognized as a member of the new generation of top notch wine makers in the region and the first one with vision and courage for revival and development of once abandoned vineyards on southern slopes of Korcula island. His initiative was recognized and supported even by United Nation Development Program named COAST, which aims to encourage economic development of entire Dalmatian coast as long as the projects are based on preserving and protecting the natural resources, diversity and rich cultural heritage of the region.
Southern slopes of Korcula island once known as best spots for viticulture on Korcula island were abandoned for decades after attack of Phylloksera which caused consequently big economic damage to local population. Disaster of vines was so important that little exodus followed shortly and caused once departure of 1200 people in one single day, which is approximately the number of today’s entire Lumbarda population. With no fear of new pests and similar threats, Franko Milina Bire starts today whole new story based on traditional concepts of grape growing with no chemical pesticides, herbicides and so forth. Finally he is becoming the very first organic winegrower on Korcula island. Short reportage on this and one similar project on Peljesac peninsula ran by Dubravko Vukas, was filmed by Croatian National Television (HRT) and we brought it to our public within the Croatian version of this post.
