Stories written by wine in historic towns

Follow the rich wine tradition in historic towns located in wine-growing regions. Learn about characteristic wines and interesting wine stories.

In wine, there is truth

To discover Slovenia is to discover its wines. The interplay of climate and soil in Slovenia creates an exceptional diversity of wines. Savour them in historic towns and their charming surroundings. A glass of wine is the perfect companion to local culinary specialities.

Wine and historic towns

Follow wine stories

Maribor boasts the oldest grapevine in the world

Meet the queen of all grapevines, the more than 450-year-old vine of the Žametovka variety that grows in the Lent area of Maribor. This old grapevine has survived wars, fires and diseases and is still flourishing in front of the Old Vine House. The place comes alive each autumn during the Old Vine Festival. The festival starts with a ceremonial grape harvest and ends with the celebration of Saint Martin's Day. The old grapevine also has its own museum and even its own anthem!

The oldest grapevine in the world grows in Maribor

The castle wine story in Ljubljana

The castle hill in Ljubljana offers a wealth of experiences – including those connected to wine. Discover the castle's wine story by visiting the castle vineyard, where a descendant of the world's oldest grapevine from the Lent area of Maribor grows, and the castle wine cellar. Raise a glass of one of the castle’s own wines – the red Zweigelt (Rdečegrajc) or the white Chardonnay (Belpin).

Taste castle wines from Ljubljana Castle

Towns with a wine legacy

You are most welcome to take a walk through Slovenian historic towns surrounded by wine-growing regions. Discover the traces of the wine tradition and taste locally produced wines in wine cellars.

A couple lies on a picnic blanket in a vineyard, clinking glasses of red wine at sunset.

Koper

Enhance your visit to Koper, once the second most important town of the Venetian Republic, by tasting fine Istrian wine. Vinakoper, one of the largest wine cellars in Slovenia, also boasts one of the largest wine barrels in Europe. From the Wine Fountain in nearby Marezige, you'll enjoy a stunning view of Koper, a town that also delights visitors with numerous events throughout the year.

Discover the noble wines of the Koper countryside

A picturesque medieval castle with red roofs overlooks a serene river and lush greenery. Nearby, quaint houses and a rustic bridge.

Žužemberk

Žužemberk is known not only for its mighty castle rising above the Krka River or for the former Auersperg ironworks in nearby Dvor, but also for its Zweigelt wine made from an indigenous grape variety. Experience the Middle Ages in the Žužemberk way at the summer Market Days (Trški dnevi).

Enjoy a toast with Zweigelt in Žužemberk

Sunset over a vineyard with a distant church on a hill. Lush green vines in the foreground and rolling hills under a vibrant orange sky.

Bela krajina

The sunny hills of Bela krajina have been home to grapevines for nearly a thousand years. In the wine cellars around Črnomelj, Metlika and Semič, you can taste Metliška črnina and Modra frankinja (Blaufränkisch) – wines to which the Vinska vigred spring festival in Metlika is dedicated. With the wine, you will be served belokranjska pogača, a traditional dish from Bela krajina protected at the European level.

Experience the hospitality of Bela krajina

Aerial view of a quaint village at sunset, featuring a tall pink tower with a red roof. Surrounded by red-roofed buildings, trees, and rolling hills.

Brežice

After exploring the old town centre of Brežice and its castle with the picturesque Knight's Hall, take a trip along both the left and right banks of the Sava River and discover the difference between Cviček and Bizeljčan – two typical wines of this area. Don't miss a wine tasting in repnice – underground cellars carved into quartz sand, once used to store turnips.

Experience the wine-growing hills around Brežice

Sunset over a scenic vineyard with terraced rows of grapevines.

Ptuj

The town, which boasts the oldest wine cellar and the oldest Slovenian wine, is a true discovery for wine and food lovers alike. The exceptional wine-growing potential of the Ptuj region was already recognised by the Romans, and many Ptuj merchants made their fortune trading wine. The long winemaking tradition is reflected in the fine wines offered by Ptuj wine cellars and bars.

Visit the wine cellars of Ptuj

A woman and a man enjoying wine in a vineyard, chatting happily. Green grapevines stretch behind them under a clear blue sky.

Slovenske Konjice

Just a stone's throw away from Slovenske Konjice, you will find one of the most modern wine cellars in this part of Europe – the Zlati grič cellar. The estate also boasts excellent cuisine and a unique golf course among the vineyards.

Welcome to the embrace of noble stories

A lush vineyard under a cloudy sky, with rows of green grapevines leading to a distant, misty valley.

Novo mesto

Stunning views and cellars full of Cviček. Each true citizen of Novo mesto has a vineyard cottage on a nearby hill, whose cellar contains barrels full of Cviček. Perhaps this is the reason why the Dolenjska landscape is dotted with tiny vineyard cottages whose owners like spending their free time there hosting their friends.

Enter the land of Cviček

Spacious courtyard with a stone fountain, surrounded by historic buildings with red-tiled roofs. Two people walk around.

Kostanjevica na Krki

Kostanjevica na Krki in inseparably connected with Cviček and its history. The story begins in 1234 with the establishment of the local Cistercian Monastery. It was the Cistercians who took pioneering steps in viticulture and winemaking. It's no surprise that Kostanjevica na Krki is one of the key centres of Cviček production.

Following the traces of wine tradition in Kostanjevica na Krki

A hiker with trekking poles walks uphill through vibrant green vineyards, with expansive views of mountains and a valley under a sunny blue sky.

Krško

The surroundings of Krško are adorned with wine-growing hills where the refined flavours of Posavje wines develop under the sun – from Cviček to Laški rizling (Welschriesling), Modra frankinja (Blaufränkisch) and Modri pinot (Pinot Noir). At Rajhenburg Castle, you can taste sparkling wines in the modern sparkling wine cellar and experience a glimpse of the past of the Trappist monks who were the first to produce sparkling wines in this area. At the Tri Lučke estate, you can see the largest preserved old wooden wine press in the Posavje region. You can discover the fine wines from the Krško area, which are distinguished by their freshness, fruitiness and balance, at numerous Okusi Posavja (Flavours of Posavje) events between August and November.

Discover the wine stories of Krško

Where can you taste local wines?

Listed below are some of the most interesting locations where you can discover wines typical of the different wine-growing regions near historic towns.

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Which wines should you taste?

Among the wide selection of different wine flavours, don't overlook the specialties that you can only sample in certain parts of Slovenia.

A rustic stone wall features a vintage wine press, lush grapevines with ripe grapes, and a sign reading "Zweigelt".

A special red vine variety, a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, which was named after its creator Fritz Zweigelt. Wines made of this variety are rich, fruity, frequently with a vanilla flavour, and young wines have a characteristic sour cherry flavour and are suitable for ageing.

Rustic setting with a round wooden table on a barrel, holding sliced sausage, bread, a glass of red wine, a ceramic jug, and lit candles.

In addition to the Chianti from Tuscany, Cviček is the only wine in the world made from red and white grape varieties. Wine with a recognised geographical indication is unique among Slovenia wines and goes perfectly with the cuisine of Dolenjska.

A wine bottle labeled "REFOŠK" stands on a ledge with a scenic backdrop of lush green hills and a distant seaside town under a clear blue sky.

Refošk, Malvasia and Yellow Muscat varieties are the most known and spread wine varieties in Slovenian Istria. Refošk boasts intensive ruby colour and a rich taste, while Malvasia is deemed the queen of Istrian white wines with its distinct aroma and light yellow colour with shades of green.

Rumeni Plavec is a white wine variety made from a Slovenian indigenous grape variety grown in the Bizeljsko-Sremiško wine-growing district. Among the specific features of Rumeni Plavec are its low sugar content and a relatively low alcohol content. Rumeni Plavec also mixes well with sparkling wine. You will, however, rarely come across it as bottled wine.

Rdeči Bizeljčan is a wine variety of ruby-red colour with purple hues, and has a fruity aroma and fresh taste. It goes especially well with meat dishes and salami.

White Bizeljčan is a quality dry white wine from the Bizeljsko-Sremiško wine district. It is characterised by a yellowish colour with green hues and a harmonious fresh flavour.

Modra Frankinja is a Slovenian indigenous grape variety. The wine made from this grape variety is usually characterised by a deep ruby-red colour with purple hues, which is tied to the wine making technology. Modra Frankinja is recognisable for its rich fruity aroma, and is a wine variety mainly found in the Posavje Region.

Experience wine in a special way

Wine is at the centre of many stories and experiences that bring you closer to Slovenian wine-making and wine tradition.

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In honour of wine

Slovenia's dedication to wine tradition is also evident in the numerous events across Slovenia that are more or less dedicated to wine. Discover some of the biggest ones that you can enjoy in historic towns.

Wine festivals in Slovenia

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Refosco Festival in Marezige

Although Refošk is the star, you can taste other Istrian wines at the multi-day event in Marezige. In addition to the tasting of fine wines, you can enjoy exquisite Istrian cuisine and a rich accompanying...

The Days of Poetry and Wine, Ptuj

Ptuj combined two “ingredients” that give the town special energy – poetry and wine. At the festival, you can listen to the best poets from around the world and taste the best wines from Slovenia.

Vinska vigred spring festival in Metlika

In the spring, the largest wine festival in Slovenia attracts domestic and foreign lovers of top wines from Bela krajina to Metlika. The town is permeated with the scent of Bela krajina delicacies, and...

Celebration of Saint Martin's Day in the Dolenjska region

In the idyllic environment of Grm Castle in Novo mesto you can celebrate the new harvest of young wine. At the largest St. Martin's Day celebration in Dolenjska, local wine growers present their wines,...

Discover the wine-growing Slovenia

Slovenia boasts three wine regions, where grapes are grown that give Slovenian wines their refined flavours. Many wines rank among the best in the world in quality. Discover the wine-growing Slovenia in your own way.

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Wines of Slovenia

Where to taste wines from Slovenia's three wine-growing regions?

St Martin's Day Celebration, joy at the new wine vintage

Toast the new wine in Slovenia!

Tourism in vineyard cottages, dreams amidst vines

Wake up in the embrace of vineyards!

Slovenia’s best wine stories and experiences

Slovenia invites you for a visit to enjoy excellent and unique wine experiences.

Wine holidays in Slovenia

In wine-growing Slovenia, there are plentiful opportunities to offer a toast with good wine in all seasons. Also visit our typical wine-related festivals.

Cycling amid the vineyards

Cycle and treat your taste buds on wine routes and paths.

Stories from Slovenia

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Stories written by wine in historic towns

In wine, there is truth