Were you wondering which wines you should be filling your wine glasses with this year? Look no further. Here are Slovenia’s 10 best wines that you certainly need to taste while you’re in Slovenia. All are award-winning wines that have been voted for by wine experts, including the Decanter World Wine Awards. 

Iglič Furmint 2016 (Decanter Platinum Medal 2019)

This wine is by Vino Gross winery from northeast Slovenia’s Štajerska wine region. Its Furmint grapes grow on a high plateau—named Iglič—of limy clay marl with south-facing terraces. You may already be familiar with Furmint (known as Šipon in Slovenia). It’s a white grape variety that’s currently very popular in the international wine scene and is the main ingredient in Hungary’s sweet Tokaj wines. 

Iglič Furmint 2016 is a fresh and fruity wine. As you bring it to your nose you can smell apple and green melon, accompanied by white pepper and spicy aromas. These aromas reflect on the palate. With regard to food pairing, this wine goes well with a wide range of foods, from light fish dishes and raw fish to well-seasoned dishes. 

DP Brut Furmint 2015 (Decanter Gold Medal 2019)

Made in the Champagne method, this wine by Dveri Pax winery has had 18 months on less, so it’s complex and creamy. Both scent and taste are of white pepper with some apricot and citrus. This Brut Furmint goes down well as an aperitif, and you can enjoy it along with canapés, carpaccios, sushi, and oysters. 

Rebula Up 2013 (Decanter Platinum Medal 2019)

This is an excellent orange wine made by Ščurek winery from the Rebula grape variety that’s typically found in Slovenia’s western Goriška Brda wine region. The scent is of candied orange, apricot, and dried fruit. While in the mouth, it’s sweetly spicy with a hint of vanilla. Try Rebula Up with some spicy Asian food, gnocchi, or pasta dishes with rich white sauces, aged cheeses, and semi-sweet desserts.

Sivi Pinot Amfora 2012 (Decanter Gold Medal 2019)

This Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) by Erzetič winery is another great example of orange wine. By looking at its color, you can tell that it’s gone through a long period of maceration. Having been aged in amphorae, it’s got a remarkable texture. It’s extremely mineral on the nose, with spicy and ripe fruit notes, and is rich in the mouth. This wine and a moderately spiced dish are a match made in heaven! 

How about trying Sivi Pinot Amfora with some popular foods that you can find in Slovenia like prebranec (a Balkan dish of baked beans in a lightly spicy sauce) or sarma (cabbage rolls typically filled with meat and rice)? 

Rosé 2018 (Decanter Gold Medal 2019)

Now here’s a premium rosé that will please any wine lover, even those that aren’t so into rosé wine. Some rosé wines do tend to lack fruit concentration, but not this one by Colnar winery. With a perfect blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Blaufränkisch, it’s got this delicate and light colour. Yet the flavor is lovely and intense. And being a structured wine with a good amount of tannin, this rosé is a good complement for food. Excellent matches are fish and sushi.

Cabernet Franc 2017 (Decanter Platinum Medal 2019)

Gašper winery’s Cabernet Franc has the typical characteristics of red peppers or capsicum, black pepper, and lots of red and dark fruit. You can really taste the oak. However, it doesn’t dominate the wine’s fruitiness. You can have it with roast chicken, pork, beef, duck, sausage, lamb, veal, hearty fish dishes, and even hard or soft cheese.

The next four wines are the 2019 Slovenian Wine Festival Awards winners for the four categories: White Sparkling Wine, Rosé Sparkling Wine, Best White Wine, and Best Red Wine.

Prestige Extra Brut 2013 (Best White Sparkling Wine)

This delicate and sophisticated dry sparkling by Istenič winery is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir that’s wonderful with poultry, fish, shellfish, or fresh cheeses.

Gourmet Rosé Brut 2015 (Best Rosé Sparkling Wine)

Another wine by Istenič, this time an extremely dry sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. This grape variety gives the wine its full, distinctive flavor and bouquet. You can enjoy it as an aperitif and is a good accompaniment for oily fish dishes, red meat, lamb, and grilled vegetables.

Chardonnay 2015 (Best White Wine)

Made by Jelenič winery, this is a complex golden amber wine with generous apricot and honey notes, velvety texture, and a long finish. Since it is a complex wine, it’s not so easy to pair it with food. So you can drink this alone, or if you really want to have food along with it, then go for a few light snacks and fresh cheeses.

Fino Rdeče 2015 (Best Red Wine)

This deep ruby red wine by Ferjančič wine estate is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. It’s a very rich wine, having been matured for two years in French barrique barrels and one year in the bottle. On the nose, you have scents of prunes, black currant, graphite, vanilla, charred wood, and smoke. As you sip the wine, you’ll taste these flavors along with some added licorice and cocoa.

How to Enjoy Slovenia’s Wines

We’re pretty sure we’ve tempted you with our list of heavenly Slovenian wines. So it’s now time to hit the town and try them out. You can find these wines in most wine stores in Ljubljana, or directly at the winemakers. The wineries listed above are definitely worth visiting if you’re thinking of going wine tasting around Slovenia’s wine country. And if you want to drink in the company of other wine enthusiasts while getting expert knowledge from wine connoisseurs and sommeliers, then you should definitely try a wine tour. 

Let’s toast to Slovenia’s best-awarded wines!

Which wineries should you visit? Pinpointing Slovenia’s best wineries is rather challenging as there are so many of them. But we’re making it easier for you by presenting our top 10 Slovenia wineries below, which we’ve organized according to their locations within Slovenia’s wine country and the three wine-growing regions. So here are the best Slovenia wineries in Primorska wine region.

Goriška Brda Wineries

Ferdinand

Ferdinand winery is located in Kojsko—a small, wayside, hill-top village in the Goriška Brda wine region. Its winemakers seek to understand each habitat and microclimate that best fits a particular wine variety. Based on this, the winery chooses the optimal positions for the vines, determines their yielding potential, and the most appropriate harvest time. Ferdinand wines are both stylistically and technically sophisticated while having this uniqueness that comes from a love of nature and a passion for wine. 

Movia

Movia is one of Slovenia’s top internationally renowned wine brands, with a large bulk of its production set aside for exportation. In fact, one-fifth of the winery’s annual production is sold domestically, while the remaining is sold to world markets. According to Wine & Spirits Magazine, Movia is one of the top 100 wineries in the world. 

Visiting this winery is quite an experience as it involves getting to know the whimsical and creative man behind the wines: Aleš Kristančič. This eccentric winemaker is considered to be the “superstar” of Slovenian winemakers. You’ve just got to meet this wine artist of worldwide fame, who’s considered as one of the 12 “most influential wine creators of the world”, according to the reputable wine critics and oenologists of the WineCreator publication. 

Aleš Kristančič produces white and red wines from Rebula, Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Green Sauvignon—an old white-wine variety of the Goriška Brda region. His most particular wine is ‘Puro’, a sparkling wine that he emphasizes must be disgorged upside-down and underwater. This is a wine to write home about! In fact, the American wine critic James Suckling gave it a score of 94 points. Along with these, Suckling gave Movia’s Veliko Belo and Lunar wines a whopping 97 points. And their Green Sauvignon wine Exto Gredic 2017 has won the ‘Vino Slow’ award by the Slow Wine Guide 2019. 

When you’re in Ljubljana, make sure to visit Movia’s charming wine bar that’s located in the City Hall building, bang in the city’s center.

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Vipava Valley Wineries

Ferjančič

Ferjančič Winery is located in the village of Planina in the south of the Vipava Valley. It is one of the most renowned Vipava Valley wineries. The Ferjančič family has a long tradition of winemaking, going back to 1809, with its youngest generation being very much involved in the winemaking process now. They are the producers of the famous white blend Fino Belo, and their red cuvée, Fino Rdeče, which won an award for the Best Slovenian Red Wine at this year’s Slovenian Wine Festival (2019) in Ljubljana. This winery also got a gold medal, for the best merlot in Vipava valley, for its Merlot vintage of 2015. 

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Žorž

The Žorž family has been producing wine in the village of Slap in Vipava Valley since 1696. Even though they’ve followed traditional winemaking methods since they started, they always seek to give a modern touch to their wines. This is thanks to the youngest generation of the Žorž family of winemakers, that constantly looks out for new opportunities while using their fathers’ experience. 

In 2015, the Žorž winery became biological and now follows the latest trends in ecological wine production. They offer a large variety of red and white wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Barbera; and Pinot Gris, Sauvignon, Muscat Blanc, Malvasia, Riesling, and the local varieties Zelen and Pinela.   

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Karst Wineries

Lisjak Winery

The Lisjak family has their vineyards in the heart of the Karst, in the village of Dutovlje. They grow two white and four red grape varieties. Among the red ones, Refosco prevails, which they use to make their Izbrani Teran PTP (Selection Teran CGO). Lisjak’s other red wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Their white varieties comprise the indigenous Vitovska Grganja and Chardonnay. 

We suggest you definitely try their flagship wine ‘Sara’, a blend of Teran, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has won several awards, the most prestigious being that of Best Slovenian Red Wine at the Slovenian Wine Festival in 2014. 

You cannot mistake their signature wine bottles, as they’re a work of art in themselves. Fancy a curvy bottle designed by the famous Slovene designer Oskar Kogoj? And here’s another fun fact: The Lisjak estate owns one of the oldest vineyards in the Karst. It turned 100 years old in 2015!

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Slovenian Istria Wineries

Rodica

Rodica is a family-owned ecological viticulture farm located in the heart of Slovenian Istria, in the village of Truške near Marezige. Their vineyards are spread over the southern slopes of the Istrian hills at an altitude of 250 to 350m, and their vines can enjoy an ideal location and climate. They cultivate the native varieties Refosco, Malvasia, and Yellow Muscat, as well as other varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Gris.

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Gordia

Gordia is an organically certified winery farm located in Kolomban near Ankaran on the Slovenian coast, where they also own a restaurant. Their focus of production is orange wines and natural sparkling wines. They make their wines according to traditional methods, getting their berries to remain in contact with the wine must, and their wines undergo spontaneous alcoholic and lactic fermentation. They don’t filter their wines. Nor do they add oenological agents, except for the required amount of sulfur at the required time.

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Best Slovenia Winery in Podravska Wine Region

Dveri-Pax

Dveri-Pax Winery, located in the Štajerska district of Podravska, has continued to produce wines according to an 800-year tradition of Benedictine winemaking. One of their main principles is to incorporate the best innovations and contemporary trends in winemaking while concurrently maintaining great respect for nature and tradition. Dveri-Pax also goes over the usual production standards for Slovenia by producing 280,000 bottles a year. And, they export more than 50% of their wines, which is also very unusual for Slovenia. In terms of awards, Dveri-Pax wines have won quite a few respectable ones from Decanter and AWC Vienna. Here’s one of their star wines: the Furmint (Šipon) Straw Wine 2009, which won the International Trophy award at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London in 2011. 

Their vines grow in ideal locations near Maribor, Radgone, Kapela, and Jeruzalem. So they’re able to produce an array of varieties. The whites are Yellow Muscat, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Welschriesling (Laški Rizling), Furmint, Traminer, and Pinot Gris. And the reds are Pinot Noir, Zweigelt (Rotburger), Pinot Noir and Blaufränkisch (Modra Frankinja).

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Best Slovenia Wineries in Posavska Wine Region

Frelih

Frelih winery and vineyards benefit from a sunny location, good soil, and a pleasant climate in Dolenjska (one of the four districts in the Posavska wine region). These positive conditions all contribute to growing traditional vines, and producing grapes and wines of the best quality. Frelih’s wine production consists mainly of Cviček, which is the most typical wine in the Dolenjska region, as well as barrel-aged sparkling wines that are made using the traditional method. 

And here’s a juicy fact about their Cviček: Their 2016 vintage won 83 out of 85 points at the Decanter Wine Awards in London in 2017. It was the first Cviček to be sent to a large international wine competition. 

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Šuklje

Šuklje winery forms part of a tourist farm in Bela Krajina (another of Posavska’s wine districts). Apart from wines, they also offer guests a range of homegrown and homemade produce, including cured meats. Their vineyards mainly consist of red grape varieties (70%), with Blaufränkisch representing 90% of their red wine production. When it comes to white varieties they offer Sauvignon blanc, Welschriesling, Riesling, and Kerner. 

You should definitely make it a point to meet the daughter, Katja Šuklje, who holds a Ph.D. in viticulture. She’s full of wine knowledge and is also responsible for the cellaring processes at Šuklje winery together with her French husband Guillaume Antalick. And, when you’re in Ljubljana, look out for their Wine Bar Šuklje, which is located in an old bourgeois villa on the river bank of the Ljubljanica.

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Slovenia: Country of Fantastic Wines

Apart from the above 10 wineries that we listed above, we cannot leave out many other famous wineries that Slovenia boasts: Simčič Marjan, Edi Simčič, Kabaj, Jakončič, Kristančič, Puklavec, and Ščurek. 

Now that we’ve enlightened you with all the important facts about Slovenia’s 10 best wineries and vineyards, we hope that you’ll enjoy visiting them and tasting their delicious wines. There are a number of day trips from Ljubljana to these wineries where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the winemakers who will show you around their cellars and vineyards. You won’t go hungry either as these wine tours also include lunch at a top Gostilna. And the wines that you’ll be drinking at the wine tastings throughout the day are always accompanied by local Slovenian foods. 

We also recommend tasting the wines made by the above wineries at one or more of Ljubljana’s wine bars, or joining a wine tasting in Ljubljana or Bled. All that said, we now wish you a wonderful wine time in Slovenia!

Slovenia offers three wine-growing regions: Primorska (Littoral Region), Podravska (Drava Region), and Posavska (Lower Sava Region). Each one of these regions has its own selection of wine varieties because of their differences in soil or ground structure, climate, and cellaring methods—in other words, the way the wines are stored or aged.

If you’re touring Slovenia’s wine regions, here are some important facts that we’ve gathered for you before you head off. 

Primorska Wine Region

You’ll never go wrong by choosing this wine region as your destination if you had to choose one from all three of Slovenia’s wine regions. It’s got the most diverse range of wines, and also the largest amount of Slovenia’s wineries per area of land. In fact, it produces up to 30% more wine than the Podravska region (Slovenia’s largest wine region).

The wine region of Primorska is also Slovenia’s most internationally renowned as it’s the most developed of all three. It lies to the west of Slovenia, bordering Italy and the sea (hence the name Primorska, which means ‘near the sea’). Its proximity to Italy means a wealth of Italian influence. So not only does this region benefit from large amounts of sun and a Mediterranean breeze, it also borrows some winemaking habits and traditions from Italy.

Primorska’s Four Sub-Regions

The Primorska wine-growing region comprises four sub-regions, each having its own distinct characteristics. These sub-regions are Goriška Brda, Vipava Valley, Karst, and Slovenian Istria. 

Goriška Brda

In the north sees lots of rain and the region’s opoka soil gives a pleasant minerality to its wines. This opoka soil (aka flysch) is considered one of the best because it contains many layers of sand, sandstone, and marl. The vines are able to drive their roots between these layers towards water and mineral supplies, which make their way into the grapes and wine. This type of soil is also characteristic of Vipava Valley and Slovenian Istria. 

The Vipava Valley

The Vipava Valley is characterized by the strong bora wind that blows cold, dry air from the northeast. Even though strong winds can be damaging, Vipava Valley winemakers have learned how to bring out their most positive effects. One example is that winds cause rain or dew to dry more quickly, thus reducing the risk of fungal infection in the vines. 

Karst

A harsh climate prevails, with its cold windy winters and hot dry summers that often experience long periods of drought. The type of soil here is an intense dark red, known in Italian as ‘terra rossa’. It is a clay-like silty soil that is known for transmitting unique flavors and characteristics to its wines.

Slovenian Istria

Finally, there’s the coastal area of Slovenian Istria, where the sun shines through most of the year. And what can be better for vines and their grapes than the glorious grape-ripening sun?

Primorska Wines

The entire Primorska region is generally known for giving us strong, dry wines. And though white wines are more predominant in Primorska, this region produces most of Slovenia’s red wines. Goriška Brda is known for its white Rebula, as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris; with reds being mainly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Vipava Valley is becoming even more synonymous with its white indigenous grape varieties Zelen, Pinela, and Klarnica, in addition to the other established white and red wines. The Karst is certainly one and the same with the rich red wine Teran, which pairs excellently with prosciutto. And Slovenian Istria has its Refošk (Refosco), which is the king of wines in the area, with other wines produced here being the red Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, and the white Malvasia, Chardonnay, Rebula, and Rumeni Muškat.

Podravska Wine Region

Located in northeastern Slovenia on the border with Hungary and Croatia, the Podravska wine region is the largest of the three. It’s named after the famous Drava River that flows through Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary, and eventually joins the Danube River. 

Covering almost 10,000 hectares, the region is divided into two wine-growing sub-regions: Štajerska (Slovenian Styria) and Prekmurje (Slovenia’s most northeastern corner). When you visit this region, take some time to stroll around the beautiful vineyards that cover this distinctly hilly landscape. Soon, you’ll also notice another characteristic of the region: the vineyards are positioned vertically. 

Most of the region’s soil is composed of carbonate rock and clay, which is a very positive foundation for growing vines. Due to the soil, the wines are distinctly varietal, with many being superior in quality. 

Did you know that the first Slovenian sparkling wine was made here in 1852?  And also that the oldest vine (known as Stara Trta) in the world grows here—in the old centre of Maribor to be exact.

Podravska Wines

Although the Podravska region is divided into two wine-growing sub-regions, they both offer similar wine varieties. The entire region produces mainly white wines, such as Laški (Italian) Riesling, Renski Rizling, Šipon (Furmint), Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Traminer, Muskatel (Yellow Muscat). Among the red varieties that you can find here are Pinot Noir, Modra Frankinja (Blue Franconian), and Žametna Črnina (Black Velvet). 

Sparkling wines are produced in the Radgonsko-Kapelske gorice hills of the Štajerksa district. And in the Prekmurje region, you can also taste the excellent sweet late-harvest wines of top German wine classification (Prädikatswein), that are produced from indigenous varieties such as Ranina.

Posavska Wine Region

This region in southeast Slovenia named after the Sava river has a rich wine-growing tradition, despite it being the smallest of the three wine-growing regions. It is the point where the sub-Pannonian and alpine climates meet causing temperatures to fluctuate a lot. Three districts make up this region: Bizeljsko – Sremič, Dolenjska, and Bela Krajina.

Posavska is renowned for its special wine-growing features: Winemakers here usually own small cottages that form part of their vineyard, which they keep as wine cellars and places for hosting parties. Some even use them to provide accommodation to guests. So this could add some spice to your Posavska wine experience. Other Slovenian winemakers have dug their cellars (repnice) directly into the ground. They once served as storage for turnip (hence the name, as turnip is ‘repa’ in Slovene), but are now used to store wine.

Posavska Wines

You’ve probably heard of Cviček. This special blend of white and red wine with low alcohol content is this region’s specialty. The Slovenes from this area are ever so proud of their unique blend. You can find Cviček all over Posavska. However, the one with the recognized traditional denomination is only produced in Dolenjska. 

Have you heard of Metliška črnina? This red blend is for the locals of Bela Krajina what Cviček means for the people of Dolenjska. 

Other wines produced in Posavska are red varieties Žametna Črnina (Black Velvet), Modra Frankinja, Blauer Portugieser, Pinot Noir, and white wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Italian Riesling, and Pinot Blanc.

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Now that you’ve had the opportunity to learn all the important facts about Slovenia’s three wine-growing regions, you’re good to go and explore them. You could either opt to take a guided tour and let the experts lead the way and hand down their knowledge, or discover Slovenia’s wine regions on your own. 

Have a good trip around Slovenia’s wine regions, and prepare to be enthralled.

Isn’t it curious that Slovenia harvests more grape per capita than a lot of other world countries? A 2 million souls state is the 45th world wine-producing region. And that’s quite a thing! Did you know that 45% of the world’s wine-producing territory is present in the EU? The largest share in the EU belongs to Spain, France and Italy, but since you are interested in how Slovenia is doing, well, let me tell you that we are proud to present our contribution of half a percent of all EU territory to EU wine production. If you would like to taste our best and most significant wine, you can do it by attending our Wine Tasting in Ljubljana or in Bled. 

A joyful ritual

Not just France, Spain, Italy or Napa valley, also Slovenia is a rich and important wine country and wine harvesting is the most important step from grapes to wine and a solemn Slovenian festivity. Tours in the wine regions of Slovenia are unique as tours in Tuscany.

Most harvesting in Slovenia takes place from the end of August to the first half of October. First to cut off the sweet clusters are in the wine-growing region of Primorska. Due to the small size and fragmentation of vineyard ownership, we maintained manual harvesting, although many winemakers go for the machinery help. Of course, manual harvesting is more time consuming and laborious than machine one, but there’s a romantic side to it or, let’s say, an authentic and memorable experience also as a tourist attraction. Likewise, in many, especially smaller vineyards, also the grape pressing is still carried out manually.

Through generations, the pressing has been an integral part of harvesting, as it’s a joyful ritual with singing. You can experience it firsthand by participating in a Wine Tour where we will take you to Vipava valley and its wine cellars. 

Visit us in September

Harvesting practices differ among Slovenian wine regions. We would like to tell you more about its tradition in the Vipava wine region where you can experience also the guided Wine Tour around the vineyards and taste our superior wine in the most important wine cellars. Vipava valley wine region’s pride and joy of autochthonous grape and wine varieties are Zelen and Pinela which you can taste during the organized Wine Tour.

Due to the long tradition of winemaking and the appropriate transfer of knowledge, the production of Slovenian wines is very successful and appreciated worldwide. These are mostly of superior quality, and some Vipava winemakers reached also the wine top of the world. The valley invites all wine and nature lovers to the Vipava harvest in September, where every year’s wine queen is crowned. 

Fun event with tradition

Grape picking is one of the few old customs that has been preserved almost unchanged over the centuries. At the beginning of September, sometimes in the last days of August, the grapes are ripe, and in Vipava Valley, harvesting can begin. The locals call it b’ndima, which most probably derives from the Italian expression for harvest – vendemmia. It all starts when farmers invite friends, family and neighbours to b’ndimo.

Many hands are needed as the juicy clusters are harvested by hand. In the evening, when the farmers are already done with the pressing, which is then left to the natural processes of ripening into wine, the workers sit around the table and enjoy homemade dishes and the best wines. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

This is a local holiday, perhaps the best time of the year. The biggest harvesting celebration in the valley has been organized in Vipava for over half a century. Every second weekend of September joy spills in the main square and the streets of Vipava. Three days in a row of cultural and entertaining events, farmers’ market and wine tasting attract thousands of visitors to visit Vipava. Here they crown the Vipava Wine Queen and for one year she receives a special honor for representing the Vipava wines. During the event, the Vipava Vineyard also organizes an expert evaluation of Vipava wines, so on this occasion, the best-rated wines are awarded certificates of excellence.

Sustainable Tourism in Slovenia

Slovenia is recognized as a highly eco-friendly place. The National Geographic Traveler magazine gave it the title of the World’s Most Sustainable Country in the World. And it doesn’t stop there. Slovenia is continuing to keep sustainable tourism as its top priority. 

Due to its green reputation, it’s attracting a number of tourist organizations and agencies from abroad that focus on eco-friendly holidays. For example, Green World Holidays supports sustainable tourism and offers eco-focused, family-friendly adventure holidays in Slovenia and Croatia. Slovenia is also attractive for eco-conscious gourmets and wine lovers who are looking for higher-quality food and wine experiences. Ana Roš of restaurant Hiša Franko is one great example of a chef who uses natural, and locally-sourced ingredients for her dishes. And her wine cellar is also filled with natural and organic wines. No wonder she’s so popular!

Sustainable Wines in Slovenia

Due to Slovenia’s Green Scheme and sustainability awareness, many Slovenian winemakers are turning back to the more traditional ways of producing wine. Therefore, they are using organic techniques that employ the use of natural methods rather than the methods promoted nowadays that use pesticides. Winemakers must conform to certain EU regulations surrounding wine production. They specify how grapes should be cultivated, which additives are allowed in the wines, and which winemaking techniques are sustainable. Now, let’s get onto Slovenia’s organic wines!

Slovenia’s Most Famous Organic Wineries

For tasting some of the best organic wines that Slovenia has to offer, you should definitely pay a visit to the following wineries. We’ve organized them according to Slovenia’s wine-growing regions.

Primorska Organic Wineries:

The largest concentration of organic wineries is to be found in the wine-growing region of Primorska in the west of Slovenia, which is further divided into four parts: Goriška Brda, Vipava Valley, Karst (Kras), and Slovenian Istria.  

Goriška Brda

In the northernmost area of Primorska, you’ll find Vino Reia, located in Dobrovo, which is the center of this wine-growing area. 

Vipava Valley

Slightly further down, you’ll find the following winemakers:

• Guerila Biodynamic Winery: A biodynamic wine-growing farm in the village of Planina near Ajdovščina.
• Batič: A biodynamic winery situated in Šempas.
• Mlečnik: Situated in Bukovica village, in the lower Vipava Valley.

Karst

Just below the Vipava Valley, in the region, you’ll find Callin, a boutique winemaker located in the village of Kazlje.

Slovenian Istria

Many more organic wineries can be found here, which is the southernmost part of Primorska:

• Rodica: A family organic wine farm located in the heart of Slovenian Istria, in the village of Truške in Marezige, 12 km above the town of Koper.  
• Vina Gordia: The Gordia estate lies in Kolomban, an idyllic village above Ankaran. 
• Vina Zaro: An ecological winery situated in Izola
• Vina Rojac, in Šmarje a village on the hills between Koper and Izola
• Korenika & Moškon Winery: A family-owned winery located in Korte, a village in the heart of Slovenian Istria

Podravska Organic Wineries:

Slovenia’s Podravska or Podravlje’s wine-making region in the east bears two prominent organic winemakers: 

• Valentan, situated in the village of Vodole, 10 minutes’ drive away from Maribor; and
• Šuman, which can be found in Voličina, a village also not too far off from Maribor (around 25 minutes’ drive)

How to Taste Organic Wines in Slovenia

You can taste Slovenia’s organic wines by taking an organized wine tour or renting a car and doing it solo. If doing it alone, remember to contact the wineries beforehand to make an appointment for your visit. Perhaps you’re slightly tight on time and you’re only in Ljubljana for a few days? Worry not. You can pretty much taste the crème de la crème of organic wines in Ljubljana. 

We wish you an enjoyable time as you taste Slovenia’s organic wines!

It’s the end of the wine harvest. Slovenian winemakers have finished celebrating the fruits of their hard work in the vineyards with many a wine harvest party. But that’s not all. There’s yet another reason to celebrate in the name of wine this year: St Martin’s Day. It’s the largest and most popular wine celebration in Slovenia, during which you’ll find loads of happy cheer all around the country. 

St Martin’s Day celebrations are in full swing this week. We’ve got a busy time ahead with all the food and wine events taking place in Slovenia. So come join us in this merry atmosphere as we toast Slovenia’s new wines! 

Let’s see what’s in store. But first, what is St Martin’s Day and where’s the wine connection?

Grape Must Turns Into Young Wine

As you probably already know, St Martin’s Day is an international celebration that falls on November 11. What happens on this day? Grape must becomes wine. Isn’t that a good reason to celebrate? And luckily for wine lovers, merrymaking in the name of wine spreads out over a number of days around the 11th of the month. 

How Is St Martin’s Day Celebrated in Slovenia?

St Martin’s Day is celebrated in all Slovenian wine regions, and also in many towns and villages all around Slovenia. Festive cheer is everywhere, from Mediterranean Primorska in the west to the eastern Pannonian plains.

Traditional activities take the form of food and wine events. Many Slovenes and foreign visitors usually attend one or more of the many St Martin’s Day celebrations in Slovenia. Wineries and wine cellars in Slovenia’s wine country host food and wine tastings featuring young wines paired with delicious cold cuts. Wine bars around Ljubljana and other major towns bustle with wine enthusiasts. Restaurants prepare themed menus comprising the traditional St Martin’s meal. 

Alternatively, many Slovenes choose to prepare a more intimate feast in their homes.

Typical Slovene St Martin’s Day Meal

A typical St Martin’s Day meal consists of succulent roast goose or duck, accompanied by shredded flatbread (mlinci) and red cabbage cooked in red wine or vinegar. How does the pheasant meat turn out so juicy and tasty? It’s normally stuffed with apples, raisins, and breadcrumbs. Plus herbs and spices (marjoram, cinnamon, and nutmeg) for the seasoning. 

If you like the idea of cooking your own St Martin’s Day lunch or dinner, you might want to take inspiration from Slovenia’s best female chef: Ana Roš. She’s an expert at using traditional ingredients in surprisingly delicious ways. Follow her recipe for a heart-warming St Martin’s Day dish that will impress your beloved guests. 

For a sweet ending, you could go for some potica. This is a traditional festive cake that resembles the British spiral roly-poly pudding. The most popular version is the one with a walnut filling. Other versions contain poppyseed, cottage cheese, hazelnut, chocolate, tarragon, or lovage, among others. 

You can’t get more Slovene than this.

How can you experience St Martin’s Day in Slovenia?

To experience Slovenia’s traditional St Martin’s Day celebrations, you could drive to the source of wine—to vineyards and winemakers. On a larger scale, Maribor, the home of the world’s oldest vine, hosts Slovenia’s biggest St Martin’s Day feast. Other main towns like Ptuj, and the famous Jeruzalem Ormož wine region in the east of Slovenia, are also gaining popularity. Or you could visit the Vipava Valley, Goriška Brda, and Karst regions that have food and wine programs tailored to this festive week.

Where Can You Taste Young Slovenian Wines?

During St Martin’s Day celebrations, you can taste young wines anywhere in Slovenia. Restaurants, wine bars, and organized St Martin’s Day celebrations are now teeming with young wines. You could even join a wine tour around some of Slovenia’s most popular wine regions, vineyards, and wine cellars. Or pick out your favorite wineries and check out their St Martin’s Day events.

Happy St Martin’s!

It controls your cholesterol level

Studies have confirmed that red wine increases the level of HDL or “good cholesterol” that helps to extend the blood vessels.

It helps with the bone structure

Scientists have proven that there is a link between moderate wine drinking and increased mineral bone density. The positive effect of wine on bone health has been proven for women, but there are studies that show that wine can have a positive effect on male bones as well.

It keeps the teeth healthy

A glass of red wine can also protect your teeth and gums. An American study has shown that red wine has an antimicrobial effect against bacteria that causes tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Antistress properties

If you are constantly stressed, a glass of your favorite wine can help. However, it is worth mentioning that red wines usually relax, while white wines give extra energy.

Red wine is associated with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer

In a study published in the Clinical Epidemiology Journal, researchers examined 17 people to determine whether the introduction of wine influenced the risk of developing prostate cancer. After reviewing the results, the researchers found that a moderate amount of white wine increased the risk of developing prostate cancer, while moderate consumption of red wine protects against the development of prostate cancer.

It helps with weight loss

Alcohol and weight loss are considered to be at odds with each other, however, studies have shown that people who drink a glass of wine per day actually have lower body weight, a flatter belly, and less abdominal fat than people who do not drink alcohol.

It keeps you young

Researchers have found that drinks that consist of wine have up to 40 percent more antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent cell aging. Wine lovers on average live longer and remain younger and more vital.

A unique mountain in Vipava is Nanos. A picturesque ridge path leads to it. With every step, you can admire the amazing landscapes of this Wine Country. Being on the top of Nanos, you can enjoy the view from above, of both Slovenia and Italy. With good visibility and binoculars – Venice. On one side, you have the entire coast and boundless waters, on the other, the majestic Alps.

What would a trip to Vipava be without a visit to the wine museum? It is a must-see for every visitor – especially if you are into the history of wine art. Special attention also goes to the numerous castles in the surrounding area – there are numerous ruins waiting to tell their story. Each building is beautiful in its way and has a long history worth exploring. You can visit Tabor Castle in Vipava, Old Castle in Ajdovščina, and the best-preserved castle in the area is Holy Cross Castle. In addition, in the Land of Wine, you can see the ancient Roman fortress and the beautiful Dvorec Lanthier.

There are also numerous activities in Vipava unrelated to wine tasting. The Green District is full of mountain trails of different difficulty levels for hikers and cyclists. In addition, there are trails for climbing throughout the region. It is said that in Vipava you can experience the best adventure among the rocks in your life. Also, fans of fishing will be delighted by the richness of the Vipava River.

The time to explore the Vipava valley is now!