St. Vincent day is the first of the five commanded public winegrowing holidays: St. George, St. John, St. Martin and St. Michael.
According to folk customs on St. Vincent Day, January 22, winegrowers go to the vineyards and cut two or three twigs with three buds, which are then placed in a glass of water near the window. For a certain time, the vine produces buds, then small bunches, on the basis of which the winegrower determines whether the year will be productive and fruitful.
In the ceremony, which takes place outdoors in the vineyards in the area of Križevci and Kalnica Prigorje, the host is joined by the bishop, cupbearer, bell ringer, singers and tambourines, and the vines are decorated with sausages that symbolize the fertility of the future harvest. The first part of the ceremony is performed outdoors in the vineyard, and the second takes place in cellars or wine cellars with a good drop, traditional local dishes and drinks.
