Slovenia Gets Ready for Harvesting

August heralds the beginning of grape harvests, which are far from scarce in Slovenia. The opening of the harvesting season is a greatly anticipated, ceremonial event. Join the merriment of winemakers at the Lendava harvest or harvests in Ormož, Ljutomer or elsewhere in Slovenia. In October, Maribor, which is the Slovenian wine capital, hosts the Old Vine Festival, one of the most prominent wine-related events in Slovenia.

Slovenia also boasts the three wine-growing regions, 14 wine-growing districts and nearly 30,000 registered producers of grapes almost all of whom are also winemakers. A proper small-scale image of wine-making Europe! Most harvests take place between late August and early October. Harvests first begin in the wine-growing districts of the Primorska wine-growing region, where grapes are quickest to ripen owing to the favourable climate, followed by the Posavje and Podravje wine-growing regions. However, some winemakers leave the grapes on the vines and wait for the special icewine harvest. The grapes are picked when air temperatures remain at –7°C for three consecutive days and nights. The frozen grapes give premium wines suitable for special occasions and consummation in small amounts.

Among the most famous harvests is the Lendava harvest. Visit the traditional ethnological event in the easternmost part of Slovenia. Take part in the local festivities with traditional customs, a folklore festival and a rich selection of Lendava wines. The ceremonious harvest of the Old Vine in Maribor has a particular significance. It marks the beginning of the traditional Old Vine Festival. The oldest vine in the world is over 400 years old, and the grapes it yields are used to produce about 2.5 litres of wine. Enjoy in tasting other Slovenian wines presented at the festival as well.

Drive along the Slovenian wine roads. Bolster the taste of wine with excellent Slovenian cuisine. The combination will bring a harmony of flavours to your taste buds.

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