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Ljubljana Castle Vineyard Joins the International Urban Vineyard Association as It Marks 10th Anniversary

Ljubljana Castle Vineyard Joins the International Urban Vineyard Association as It Marks 10th Anniversary

A vineyard overlooking one of Europe’s greenest capitals has just stepped onto the international stage. As it celebrates a decade of winemaking, the Castle Vineyard at Ljubljana Castle has become the first in Slovenia to join the Urban Vineyard Association – positioning Ljubljana among a select group of cities where wine, heritage, and urban life intersect.

The milestone comes at a moment of growing global interest in urban vineyards as living cultural landscapes. Founded in 2018 in Turin, the Urban Vineyard Association brings together 34 vineyards across 13 countries, highlighting their role in preserving historical identity while creating distinctive visitor experiences. 

Set on the sunlit southern slopes of Castle Hill, just steps from the city centre, the vineyard offers a rare juxtaposition: 1,050 vines thriving above a medieval old town. Planted in 2016 and harvested for the first time in 2018, it has already produced more than 8,000 bottles of wine – small in scale, but rich in story. The varieties reflect both local character and international recognition, with belpin (Chardonnay) and rdečegrajc (Zweigelt) rooted in the site’s identity.

Receiving this recognition in our anniversary year confirms that we have built a meaningful and authentic wine story – one that resonates beyond Slovenia. (Mateja Avbelj Valentan, Director of Ljubljana Castle)

The story goes beyond a single vineyard. It taps into broader themes shaping travel and lifestyle coverage today: the revival of urban agriculture, the blending of cultural heritage with contemporary experiences, and the rise of boutique, story-driven destinations. In Ljubljana, these elements converge in a compact, accessible setting where visitors can move from historic streets to vineyard rows in minutes.

Over the past decade, the Ljubljana Castle has developed a range of experiences around the vineyard – from guided tastings to curated events – turning it into a distinctive touchpoint for exploring Slovenia’s wine culture in an urban context.

Source: Ljubljana Castle
Photo: Miha Mally

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Global public relations and Marketing
e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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