Wine Tours in Slovenia
Our wine tours in Slovenia focus on the lovely Vipava Valley, just a 60-minute drive from the capital Ljubljana. This relatively small Balkan country may not be world-famous for its wine (yet!) but it is well placed to produce high-quality grapes and make great wine under the watchful eye of very passionate Slovenian winemakers. Hemmed in between Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary this beautiful country enjoys a Mediterranean-style climate with both maritime and continental influences which, combined with its varied topography, ensures a range of terroir options that are ideal for vines.
Note: On your first day in Slovenia feel free to join our introductory wine tasting at a 300-year-old cellar in Ljubljana. You will be guided through a flight of 7 wines showing the variations across the 3 main wine regions, this will set you up nicely for the next day spent out touring the vineyards and wineries.
Enjoy our introductory wine tasting on your first night in Slovenia at an atmospheric old cellar in Ljubljana
There is a high concentration of quality wineries in the Vipava area, which is a beautiful area to spend time in. The easy accessibility of the area provides the chance to enjoy delicious day trips taking in 2 or 3 wineries, with lunch, from the capital. Or, in order to spend more quality time exploring you could stay overnight in one of the quaint villages. Even though the drive between wineries is very short we are able to show you contrasting wines, different styles from different producers, made with different winemaking philosophies. Our visits focus on family-run, boutique wineries where you are made to feel like one of the family.
We mentioned quaint villages, Goce is one of our favourites and with its old stone buildings it literally exudes a history dating back to the 14th century. There are several wineries in and around Goce, which serve as monuments to the ancient traditions of this part of Slovenia. Damp stone cellars with vaulted ceilings, more than 700 years old are preserved almost as they were built, often with no electricity, just candles for lighting, giving you a sense that you have stepped back into the middle ages as you can see below.
You will spend your day eating and drinking your way around the Vipava Valley. You will try local food which might be at the winery, in the vineyard or at a local restaurant, and you will try wines made from grapes you may never have heard of. Zelen and Pinela for example.
Zelen means “green” in Slovenian, but this refers to the colour of the wine if un-filtered as opposed to the colour of the grapes. The windy Vipava Valley demands hardy vines and the low-yielding Zelen is one of these. It was considered a drink of feudal lords and only to be drunk on holidays or special occasions. The wines created from this presently rescued and resurrected indigenous grape can be light, with crisp acidity and some herbaceous notes. Zelen can also be left on its lees, or treated to some oak, changing the classic style. We give you the chance to try several incarnations so you can see which you prefer.
Pinela is another grape we will encounter during our tastings. Often used for blending but also great as a single varietal offering a wine that is pale gold in colour, medium to full-bodied, hints of mineral, while being fresh and crisp. Aromas that you will pick up include floral and fruity notes ranging from fresh citrus to tropical fruit, as well as stone fruit and dried flowers. Knock yourself out pairing this with pasta, hard cheeses, cold cuts, roasted vegetables, duck, and goose – how good does that sound? If you are lucky enough to be here when local festivals are being held in honour of these indigenous grapes, even better! Please ask us about dates.
Central and Eastern Europe have so much to offer and if you have the time you will love our Slovenia combos with places like Moldova, Hungary and Romania – but there are many more destinations, just let us know what you are thinking.
