Situated in the south of Slovenia, Dolenjska is famous for its hills and vineyards. Many local people have their own vineyard cottages – a wooden or brick cottage next to the vineyard. In the past, their doors were open only to their closest friends because these cottages were places where people would get together after the peak of the grape harvest season. Today, the local people share their tradition and habits with other guests to present the Dolenjska region to as many people as possible. Vineyard cottages can be found in other parts of Slovenia that have a rich wine tradition.
Although Slovenians most commonly link vineyard cottages with the Dolenjska region, they can be found in other wine-growing destinations.
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40 different vineyard cottages are connected in the tourist offer, inviting you to experience the landscape and wine culture of Dolenjska. The hospitality of local people is limitless, because the owners don’t just give you the key to the cottage, but also to a wine cellar full of wine barrels where you can sample the best wines of the region. Raising a toast on a wooden balcony with a view of the vast vineyards will make you feel completely at home.
Škatlar Vineyard Cottage above Paha is one of the oldest cottages. It’s about 180 years old, made of wood and stone and covered with straw. The stone wine cellar, which maintains a consistent temperature for storage, is full of cviček wine.
The landscape, with its vineyards and lovely cottages, will win your heart immediately. In Dolenjska, where you can find the most cottages, there is a special “mountain” which is well known for its many vineyard cottages – its name is Trška gora (gora = mountain). It’s just a few kilometres from Novo mesto.
Vineyard cottages in Dolenjska in Posavje are inseparably connected to the unique wine, cviček. This light red wine has a low alcohol content in comparison with other wines, while its tart taste is refreshing and eminently drinkable. In moderate quantities, it supposedly has positive effects on health. It has charmed many people so far, including the famous James Bond actor Roger Moore.
Regardless of whether you decide just to visit them or spend your holiday in them, you will certainly be charmed by them.
Visit an authentic Dolenjska farm, the Šeruga Farm, which has a wood-burning oven and a water mill. You will also be taken to nearby zidanice vineyard cottages. Go on a short trip to Otočec, where you can enjoy some fun at an adventure park or relax in the saunas and pools of Šport Hotel. If you’d like to have a traditional lunch or dinner, go to the Vovko Restaurant, which is included in the Gostilna Slovenija brand.
MoreVisit an authentic Dolenjska farm, the Šeruga Farm, which has a wood-burning oven and a water mill. You will also be taken to nearby zidanice vineyard cottages. Go on a short trip to Otočec, where you can enjoy some fun at an adventure park or relax in the saunas and pools of Šport Hotel. If you’d like to have a traditional lunch or dinner, go to the Vovko Restaurant, which is included in the Gostilna Slovenija brand.
MoreEvery true Dolenjska local is proud of their own zidanica, a vineyard cottage. Get a sense of this pride as you spend your getaway in one. The grape harvest in autumn is quite an experience. After a rich breakfast, grape-pickers head to the vineyard to pick grapes, and the sounds of an accordion accompany their work. After a full day of work, the celebration surrounding the new grape harvest moves to the zidanice cottages, where an evening feast is prepared.
MoreVisit the 150-year-old Matjaž's Homestead, where you can learn about life in the countryside of Dolenjska as it once was and as it is today. After touring the homestead and the old cellar, enjoy a snack of buckwheat bread and cheese and learn about the mysteries of a special wine variety – Cviček wine. Take a walk on wine-growing hills to the Church of St George. You can visit an old zidanica vineyard cottage and taste local wine – the ecological Regent wine, among others.
MorePosavje is a wine growing region, criss-crossed with vineyards and vineyard cottages. The latter represent an ideal choice for anyone who wishes to taste the wines of Posavje, to have some peace or active family vacations in nature. The vine routes of Posavje also take you to turnip caves (repnice), where the winemakers will be glad to offer you their wines.
MoreNear Lendava, not far from the famous Vinarium panoramic tower, you can spend your holiday in the Pomurje region in a unique dispersed hotel that carries the same name as the tower. Part of the hotel is the Pomurje version of vineyard cottages that offer a homely atmosphere and a cellar filled with local wines.
MoreYou’ll never find any other place with as many vineyard cottages and wine cellars as Dolenjska and Bela krajina in the south of Slovenia. Supposedly, there are around 15,000. Explore the area on foot or by bike and stop along the way to taste the local wines.
Where to taste wines from Slovenia's three wine-growing regions?
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Slovenia invites you for a visit to enjoy excellent and unique wine experiences.
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