Napa Valley Register

Croatian president visits Rutherford, promotes Roots of Peace program

By CARLOS VILLATORO, Register Staff Writer

Monday, April 10, 2006 1:11 AM PDT

On his way back to his homeland, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic took a detour at his friend Mike Grgich's winery, Grgich Hills Cellar in Rutherford, to plant a symbol of peace Sunday afternoon. Mesic's visit to the valley was his second stop on his way home from South Korea and was a way of showing support for Roots of Peace, a non-profit organization that's been actively removing mines in Croatia since 1999.

Surrounded by the backdrop of luscious vineyards and overcast weather, Mesic and Grgich planted a Chardonnay vine at Grgich Hills to symbolize Roots of Peace's Mines for Vines program. The de-mining of Croatia has become a labor of love for Grgich.

Grgich said he left Croatia as the country was enveloped in Communism, but since then has returned to become deeply involved with Roots of Peace in their mission of removing mines from the land and instead planting vines.

"The situation (in Croatia) is improving every year," Grgich said. "Democracy is taking over."

With the help of Roots of Peace and the U.S. State Department, Grgich returned to Croatia in January of 2000 and helped de-mine the regions of Karlovac, Ilok, Dragalic, Bebinge, Cista Mala and Ciste Velika. It was during his 2000 visit to Croatia that Grgich first met Mesic, he said.

With the help of Mesic, Roots of Peace and Grgich have taken the number of mines in Croatia from an estimated 700 million to 1.2 million, according to Heidi Kuhn, the organization's founder.

"It's really helped re-vitalize the country," she said.

Kuhn said the de-mining of Croatia has caused a boost in tourism, commerce and the country's wine industry. Grgich himself opened Grgich Vina in Croatia to help inspire his countrymen to become vintners.

Aside from Croatia, Roots of Peace has also helped de-mine provinces in Angola, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Iraq. Kuhn said an estimated 70 million land mines threaten civilians in 70 countries. For more information on Roots of Peace, visit rootsofpeace.org.