Slovenian Wine

The Republic of Slovenia is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the east, and Croatia to the south.

History

Slovenia has a long history of winemaking. Archaeological evidence shows that the pre-Roman Celts and Illyrian tribes in this area made deeply colored wines aged in amphorae. Where they left off, the Romans continued and monks and monasteries created holy wines for the sacrament.

After the First World War, Slovenia became a part of Yugoslavia, which was not conducive to fine wine production. Emphasis was placed on productivity over quality, and the successive Second World War destroyed both vineyards and whole cities.

After Yugoslavia was broken up into new modern countries, Slovenia began the slow re-build back to the old days of careful, quality-focused viticulture.

Slovenia's winemaking heritage predates Roman times, with influences from Austro-Hungarian and Italian traditions. Wine is deeply integrated into Slovenian culture, celebrated in festivals, cuisine, and daily life.

Grape Varieties

Slovenia is gaining international acclaim for its unique wines, offering exceptional quality at competitive prices. The region produces wines from both international and indigenous grape varieties:

White Grapes

White grapes are predominant in Slovenia:

Red Grapes

Indigenous Varieties

Žametovka (oldest cultivated grapevines in the world?)
Zelen
Pinella

Geography and Climate

Slovenia's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Alpine, and Pannonian climates creates an exceptional diversity of microclimates and terroirs:

Mediterranean Influence
In the west, warm coastal breezes contribute to ripe, aromatic wines.
Alpine Influence
Cooler conditions in the north produce wines with high acidity and finesse.
Continental Influence
The eastern regions experience hot summers and cold winters, ideal for a wide range of grape varieties.

Wine Regions

Slovenia has three main wine regions, each with unique characteristics:

Primorska (Littoral Region)
Posavska (Posavje / Sava)
Podravska (Podravje / Drava)

Primorska

Located near the Italian border, this region has a Mediterranean climate. Known for rich reds (Refošk and Merlot) and distinctive whites (Rebula and Malvazija).

It is the warmest winegrowing region in Slovenia. All four of its winegrowing districts (Brda, Kras, Vipava Valley, and Koper) enjoy the influences of the warm Adriatic Sea to various degrees.

Slovenska Istra (1,850 hectares), where all the vineyards enjoy the view of the Adreatic sea, is the warmest district. Refosco and Malvasia are the king and queen grapes.
Kras / Karst (580 hectares)
Teran, a deep purple coloured wine, is the pride of the Kras district. It is produced from Refosco grapes thriving in the red limestone soil (terra rossa) rich with iron.
Vipavska Dolina (2,100 hectares) with its flysch soil enjoys cool Alpine air descending from the north and warm winds arriving from the Gulf of Trieste. Spicy Zelen and rich Pinella are indigenous to this district, while Merlot is the most widespread, white blends made from Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla, Zelen and Pinella reveal the most authentic and unique character of Vipavska dolina.
Goriška Brda (1,800 hectares)
Cool afternoon winds from the Alps and warm ones from the Gulf of Trieste, along with flysch soil, contribute to the distinctive conditions of this district. White blends based on Chardonnay and red blends based on Merlot and both Cabernets provide some of the most renowned wines in the country. Ribolla Gialla, which takes up over a quarter of all vineyards, showcases some wines of tremendous character.

Slovenia

Posavska

Located in the southeast, it’s known for lighter wines and blends. Includes Cviček, a unique low-alcohol blend of red and white grapes. Popular varieties include Blaufränkisch, Žametovka, and Kraljevina.

Bela Krajina (300 hectares) on the southern side of the Gorjanci Hills are the smallest Slovenian winegrowing district. It is a limestone-covered and relatively warm areas with considerable temperature difference between days and nights. This climate supports the production of aromatic wines that preserve their freshness. Bela Krajina is known for the production of the Blaufränkisch and the Gelber Muskateller varieties.
The Dolenjska district (1,350 hectares) on the right bank of the River Sava, prides itself on its traditional light reddish wine with a geographical indication, which is called Cviček. The district’s specialty are predicate wines, which are among the best in the world in terms of quality.
The Bizeljsko-Sremič district (700 hectares) enjoys a continental climate with Pannonian influences and a diverse soil. While red and white Bizeljčan are the most common wines, the Blaufränkisch has become more and more recognised. A special feature of this district are so-called turnip caves (repnice), which are cellars hand-dug into sand.

Podravska

Podravje, in the northeast, is the largest region by area and known for elegant white wines.

Popular varieties include Šipon (Furmint), Renski Rizling (Riesling), and Laški Rizling (Welschriesling). Sparkling and dessert wines, such as late harvest and ice wines, are also specialties.

Podravje consists of two winegrowing districts:

Štajerska Slovenija (5,400 hectares), in central part of the Podravje region is the largest winegrowing district in Slovenia. The cool Pohorje Hills to the west and the touch of the warm Pannonian Plain to the east produce a moderately cool climate. The mix of sandy clay soil, at times also marl and limestone soil, offers great conditions for the indigenous Furmint and wines from aromatic white varieties growing on steep hillsides frequently made into terraces.
Prekmurje (440 hectares) is a small and somewhat warmer wine district, producing most Blaufränkisch wines and aromatic white wines.

Viticulture

Quality-Focused Production
Most Slovenian wineries are family-run and emphasize craftsmanship over mass production.
Biodynamic Practices
Many winemakers embrace biodynamic farming, highlighting Slovenia’s commitment to sustainability.
Orange Wines
Slovenia is one of the pioneers of orange wine production, made by fermenting white grapes with extended skin contact, resulting in complex, textured wines.
Barrel Aging
Traditional oak barrels and modern techniques are used to enhance structure and complexity.