Slovenia’s best wine stories and experiences

Learn about the wine culture of Slovenia in the most special ways.

The main theme is wine

Slovenia is proud to have three wine regions, where grapes are grown that give Slovenian wines their refined flavours. Wine is also at the very centre of many stories and experiences that either bring you closer to Slovenian wine-making and its wine tradition or reflect modern trends and innovation. Quite a few events and festivals around Slovenia are devoted to wine, and the most exciting time is autumn, the time for harvests and later also St Martin’s Day celebrations. Discover some of the most interesting stories and experiences related to wine, which you just cannot miss.

St Martin's Day – an autumn wine festival not to be missed

The most important winegrowers’ and winemakers’ event is St Martin's Day, when the must turns to new wine. In the days around St Martin’s Day, which takes place on 11 November, Slovenia is the scene of a number of celebrations where new wine is served along with the traditional St Martin’s Day menu, consisting of roast goose or duck, stewed red cabbage and mlinci (a thin dried flatbread). Winegrowing areas also host larger St Martin’s Day celebrations with rich musical and accompanying programmes. So mark your calendars and come to Slovenia in November to celebrate the new wine harvest with locals.

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The queen of all grapevines

As you walk through Lent, the old part of the city of Maribor, beside the River Drava, you will encounter the oldest grapevine in the world. The Žametovka vine, i.e. Blauer Kölner, has weathered every storm for four centuries and now proudly greets visitors. This is the only plant with its own museum in the Old Vine House, and it even has its own anthem. Exciting things happen around this vine at many traditional events and festivals.

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Learn about other top wine attractions

In addition to the old vine in Maribor’s Lent area, you can also find some interesting places and objects in Slovenia connected with wine and are considered to be top attractions in Slovenia.

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The oldest wine cellar in Ptuj

Visit the oldest wine cellar in Slovenia, which has stored the best wine from the Haloze Hills and the Slovenske Gorice Hills for 700 years. At the wine archive, discover the cellar's greatest treasures, such as the oldest Slovenian vintage and the largest wooden barrel, which can store over 22,115 litres of wine.

The largest wine barrel in Koper

Taste the finest wine produced from Istrian soil as you visit the inland areas of the town of Koper, and also visit Vinakoper, one of the largest wine cellars in Slovenia. Here, you can also see the largest barrel in Slovenia and one of the largest in Europe.

The oldest Istrian wine press

While visiting the inland areas near the coastal town of Koper, be sure to visit Bardinc House, where you can get a better idea about the history and tradition of Istria. In addition to interesting rooms and showpieces, there is also the well-preserved oldest Istrian wine press, dating to the 19th century.

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Sparkling wine untouched by light

You may have had the opportunity to taste wine in the dark, where your taste buds become even more sensitive. But you have probably never tasted a wine produced in total darkness. It is therefore high time you experienced the star of the Radgona sparkling wines. The Untouched by Light line is a sparkling wine that has literally never seen a ray of light. Even the grapes for this sparkling wine are harvested at night. And you will taste it in total darkness.

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rock'n'roll okusov_degustacija vina_slovenian unique experience

The Maribor Rock’n’Roll with wine tasting

Accompanied by excellent wines and flavours, you will discover music from the days when Maribor was the capital of Slovenian rock 'n' roll. Taste a glass of sparkling wine from the oldest grapevine in the world, which is served as an aperitif, and listen to a piece of Rock music that every Slovenian is familiar with. The pleasure wine bar hides up to 70 varieties of excellent local wines, including boutique bottles from a winemaker who listens to a new rock album with every vintage. These are just a few (wine) glimpses of the music and culinary tour of Rock’n’Roll Maribor.

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Experiences among the vines

Come, stay, have a look around and try the local wines among the vineyards! Experience unforgettable moments in the unique ambience of the grapevines.

Holidays in a vineyard cottage

Get away from the hustle and bustle to green vineyards. treat yourselves to a break in a vineyard cottage where you can enjoy in tranquillity and nature. Indulge in a book in front of the house or take a walk among the vines.

Holidays in a vineyard cottage

Along the path of the most beautiful wine stories to the Oldest Vine

Maribor’s surroundings are adorned with vast vineyards, which hide beautiful spots, such as the heart-shaped road in the Svečinske Gorice hills. A sommelier will help you discover the wines of the Štajerska region that pair perfectly with local cuisine. You will visit one of the largest and oldest classical wine cellars in Europe and finish your tour at the Oldest Vine House, home to more than just the oldest vine in the world. Live through its 450 years of history with special VR glasses.

Intiniti Wine Bliss mindful experience with stories from Brda

Experience Brda through a guided mindfulness practice and learn about the entire annual cycle of the vine and Motnik wine in a slightly different way. Welcome to an inspiring experience where you will learn the stories of Brda with all your senses and take a trip to your very self.

Wine safari in Brda

Do you have a sense of adventure? Embark on a unique safari, where you will not encounter any exotic animals, but off-roaders will take you on narrow paths through vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. You will also make short stops to taste excellent wines and other specialities from the Brda Hills.

Visit to the repnice cellars

While in the Posavje region, be sure to visit the typical repnice (pronounce rep-nee-tzeh) turnip caves. These are special caves that were once used to store food, mainly turnips, but most of them have been converted into pleasant wine cellars.

Cycling among vineyards

Take a cycle ride on wine roads. The routes will take you through gentle wine-growing hills and vast plains, past tourist farms, winemakers, snack bars, and other establishments where you can taste local wines and be revitalised by enjoying local flavours.

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Cycling amid the vineyards

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

Slovenia Green Gourmet Route – a cycling route with culinary stops

A cycling tour through the green destinations of Slovenia, where you will indulge in good cuisine.

Cycling in Štajerska with the Roglič family

Discover the charms of the wine-growing regions around Ormož and Ptuj with Primož Roglič's family.

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A visit to a wine cellar

No matter which wine region you visit, the local people will always offer you their wine, of which they are particularly proud. This could be Refošk from Istria, Karst Teran, Vipava Zelen or Pinela, Metliška Črnina from Bela Krajina, Cviček from Dolenjska, or any other wine variety. No matter where you go, you will always be able to enjoy some good local food with your glass of wine. We highly recommend that you visit the most well-known wine cellars.

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A boutique wine estate worth a visit

Slovenia can boast of several excellent winemakers who aim to create the finest wines. Learn some of the amazing boutique wine stories of Slovenian winemakers.

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Sustainable wine – a drop of unspoiled nature in your glass

Taste the noble wines that reflect the harmony of man and nature. Slovenian sustainable wines are produced with a great deal of responsibility towards nature. The vineyards are part of the natural ecosystem, and the winemakers use only natural substances to cultivate their grapes. The guiding principle is to keep human interference to a minimum in both the vineyard and the cellar.

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biodinamicna vina

Inspiring stories about biodynamic winemakers

Slovenia has many excellent winemakers who have won acclaim and renown for their wines both at home and abroad. More and more boutique winemakers are choosing to produce biodynamic wines since most of the 'work' is done by nature itself. Discover some inspiring stories from Slovenian winemakers, who put their soul, great care, effort and love into their wines.

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Šuman - the journey of wine begins in a vineyard

Meet the biodynamic winemaker from the Slovenske Gorice Hills who is certain that wine is made in the vineyard in unison with nature and its laws, while the work done in a cellar is “only the result of...

Ducal - Štajerska wine with the Primorska soul

Romantic Svečinske Gorice Hills, a modern wine cellar, top-quality wines produced in accordance with a natural method and stored in clay amphoras – these are but a few features of the family story being...

Wines born under the stars and in the moonlight

Learn the stories of two Štajerska biodynamics masters – Aci Urbajs and Božidar Zorjan – who let nature dictate the course of production of supreme wines.

Brothers and winemakers from the Goriška Brda Hills – the stories of the Klinec brothers

A name that certainly resounds among Slovenian winemakers. It’s associated with two brothers, each with their unique stories about wine and life in the idyllic Goriška Brda landscape.

A special kind of wine tasting

In addition to visiting wine cellars, tourist farms, and winemakers, you can also experience the refined flavours of Slovenian wines in a completely different way.

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Pour yourself a glass of wine – from a fountain?

Yes, you read that right. In Slovenia we have quite a few fountains that feature the local wines instead of the more usual water. You just need a glass with a chip, which you activate when you first fill it.

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Sončni raj fountain

On the Sončni raj estate in Vodole, just outside of Maribor, you can try two types of reds and six high-quality white wines from local producers, as well as two non-alcoholic drinks.

Cviček Spring wine fountain

Not far from the Šmarješke Toplice spa, in Šmarjetna, you can fill your glass four times with a decilitre of Cviček, one of the wine specialities of the Dolenjska region.

Marezige wine fountain

Enjoy the taste of typical Istrian wines such as Malvasia and Refosco, with a wonderful view of the blue sea and the coast, from the wine fountain in Marezige.

A privileged view of the vineyards from observation towers

Vineyard hills are not just places where grapes are grown. They are also the unique image of a wine-growing landscape that captures our hearts. And what better way to enjoy the view of the well-tended vineyards and landscape than from an observation tower?

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Vinarium Panoramic Tower

Climb up the tower which is more than 50 metres high and watches over the Lendavske Gorice Hills. From there, you can see the landscape in four neighbouring countries – Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and...

Gonjače Observation Tower

Where can you catch the most beautiful view of Goriška Brda? You will definitely be fascinated by the view from the 23 metre Gonjače Tower, which stretches from the Alps on the one side to the Adriatic...

Tower of Health and Joy

On Rudnica, a hill above Podčetrtek, you can climb a 35-metre-high observation tower. From the tower you have a wonderful view of the fertile hills undulating in the border area of Obsotelje and Kozjansko.

Sleep among the vineyards

Imagine that you are sitting in front of a tent or a wood cabin among the vineyards, enjoying the view of the rolling hills, a glass of local wine at your side. Experience the charm of glamping and other unique accommodations among the vineyards.

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Saksida Tourist Farm

Are you interested in exploring the Vipava Valley? There, in the midst of vineyards, you can find the Saksida Tourist Farm, which also offers glamping cottages on its estate.

Naturasort

Lovers of water and active holidays can enjoy the Naturasort at the foot of vineyards near Maribor. Add a visit to a wine cellar to your to-do list.

Visole Panorama Glamping

Escape the urban hustle and bustle and relax while enjoying the marvellous view of the Štajerska hills from your natural "hotel room" at Visole glamping site.

Wine-related events all year round

Good wine is the pride of every wine-maker. And they want to share the joy that they feel when enjoying a glass of fine wine. This is why you can visit wine festivals and holidays in Slovenia in all seasons, and even enjoy some other local delicacies too. However, autumn is the most exciting time, as it brings a new harvest of grapes and new wine.

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Wine festivals and events

Wine receives a lot of attention in Slovenia. This is also evident due to the numerous festivals and events at which wine often plays the leading role. Sometimes, you can also enjoy other culinary treasures from a particular area and much more.

Harvest time

As the summer comes to an end and autumn is just around the corner, vineyards come to life. Ripe grapes invite us to harvest, and the hard work of grape pickers is accompanied by joyous singing celebrating the new harvest.

St Martin's Day celebrations

The most widespread celebration of wine and the culture of wine in Slovenia is the celebration of St Martin's Day. This is when St Martin is said to transform must to wine. In addition to young wine, a traditional St Martin’s feast is a must during this time.

Osmice wine bars

Follow the trail of ivy branches and visit ‘wine bars’ called osmice – these are occasional wine bars in the Primorska wine-growing region that have a tradition dating back more than two hundred years. Local residents will not only serve you wine, but will also gladly offer you a slice of wind-dried ham (pršut), pancetta, home-made bread, štruklji (dumplings filled with curd cheese), strudels, and other delicious delicacies.

Experience gastronomic Slovenia

In addition to world-class wine, you will also feel like having a good bite of food – perhaps something traditional or innovative. May the selected tastes of Slovenia fascinate you.

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Wines of Slovenia

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

Historic towns with a wine tradition

Visit historic towns boasting rich wine tradition.

The best for gourmets

Discover why Slovenia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for gourmets.

Follow the Michelin Stars in Slovenia

Meet Slovenia's gastronomic stars that are now shining on the Michelin sky.

Top Slovenian restaurants as selected by Gault & Millau

If you’re unsure of where to eat, open the latest Slovenian edition of the Gault&Millau guide.

Slovenia = a land of sustainable cuisine

Enjoy cuisine that is devoted to the local environment and people.

The flavours of Slovenia

Do you know the typical flavours of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain?

Locally typical

Learn about the typical workdays and holidays cuisine of Slovenian people and discover where they obtain the ingredients for their dishes and where you can try them as well.

Stories from Slovenia

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The main theme is wine