Mega Center, Savska cesta 34, Kranj - Format'Age

2 wine tAsting
As would be expected from a country which borrows the
lyrics for its national anthem from a poem entitled The
Toast, winemaking and viticulture hold a special place in
the hearts and minds of most Slovenes. With hundreds of
individual vineyards - most of which are small to mediumsized
family run affairs - spread across several different
wine-growing regions, choosing where to visit during a
short stay can be a daunting task. We’ve tried to include a
wide range of options below, but as you can see, our slight
bias towards and geographic proximity to the west of the
country has left those regions (especially Goriška Brda)
more well-represented than their counterparts in the east.
But when it comes to tasting wine and visiting vineyards,
in Slovenia you can’t really go wrong.
Western Slovenia
Brda Tel. (+386) 53 95 95 94, info@obcina-brda.si,
www.brda.si/en. Occupying 72km² of rolling hills between
the Soča River and Italian border, Brda is one of Slovenia’s
foremost wine-growing areas and only an hour’s drive from
Ljubljana. Often described as a miniature version of Tuscany,
every hill seems to be topped with a large church (there are
actually only 30 in all) surrounded by a charming little village,
while the hillsides and valleys in between are blanketed with
vineyards, orchards and winding country roads. Aside from a
few larger estates and one cooperative, most of the vineyards
are smaller family-run operations, and almost all offer some
combination of wine tastings, tours, meals, accommodation
and of course wine sales. The region is also known for its
traditional Italian-influenced cuisine, and a trip to Brda without
enjoying a slow multi-course meal on a terrace overlooking
the vineyards almost defeats the entire purpose. The tourist
information office at Dobrovo Castle is well-stocked with
multi-lingual maps, brochures and other literature, and a great
place to start for first-time visitors.
Cantina Simčič Ceglo 3b, Dobrovo, tel. (+386) 53 95
92 00, fax (+386) 53 95 92 01, info@simcic.si, www.
simcic.si. Marjan and Salko Simčič operate one of the most
widely known and respected vineyards not only in Brda or
Slovenia, but the entire region. Their estate covers 16 hectares
with roughly half on either side of the Slovene-Italian
border. The family has been producing wine commercially
since 1860 and currently turn out 80,000 bottles per year,
which are exported around the world. Tastings can be arranged
for groups as large as 30 people, but advance booking
is a must. QClosed Sun.
Erzetič Višnjevik 25A, Dobrovo v Brdih, tel. (+386) 53
95 94 60/(+386) 41 64 31 14, erzetic.visnjevik@volja.
net, www.vina-erzetic.com. Located in the unassuming
village of Višnjevik, the Erzetič winery offers one of the more
Stirring the amphora at Erzetic
unique wine tasting experiences in the Brda region. Dating
back to 1725, the family-run estate produces up to 80,000
bottles per year - several varieties of which have been decorated
at internnational competitions, including the prestigious
Decanter World Wine Awards. They’re also one of only two
wineries in Slovenia to produce wine using large ceramic vases
called amphoras - which were specially-built in in Georgia and
give the wine a very distinctive earthy flavour.
Klinec Homestead Medana 20, Dobrovo v Brdih, tel.
(+386) 53 95 94 08/(+386) 31 33 94 63, nejkak@yahoo.com,
klinec.si. More than just a winery or tourist farm,
the Klinec homestead is a truly one of a kind place. The small
family-run operation produces a range of exquisite organic
wines and serves an array of mouth-watering seasonal dishes
following traditional recipes and cooking methods of the Brda
region. They also play a central role in Medana’s thriving arts
scene, hosting well-known painters and sculptors for a weeklong
festival every October, as well as various jazz concerts,
film viewings and poetry readings throughout the year. Q
Open Fri 19:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-15:00 & 19:00-23:00, Sun
12:00-16:00 and Mon-Thu by arrangement.
Poljšak Gradišče pri Vipavi 39A, Vipava, tel. (+386) 53
66 53 59/(+386) 41 44 10 01, samo.poljsak@volja.
net, users.volja.net/spoljs. The award-winning Poljšak
family winery occupies a four-hectare estate in the sunny
and wind-swept Vipava Valley, a region especially known for
its prized Zelen wines. The ancient, autochthonous grape
variety of the same name is native to the valley, and production
runs are kept small and strictly controlled in order to
guarantee the highest quality. Situated just off the motorway
between Postojna and Nova Gorica, Vipava is only a half
hour drive from Ljubljana and can be easily combined with
surrounding sights.
Ljubljana In Your Pocket ljubljana.inyourpocket.com
Simčič (Karol & Igor & Marijan) Hum 8, Kojsko, tel.
(+386) 53 04 65 26, fax (+386) 53 04 65 27, info@vinosimcic.si,
www.vinosimcic.si. First appearing in the local
land registry back in the 19th century and covering some 32
hectares of terraced vineyards today, Vrhunska Vina Simčič is
one of the oldest and largest wineries in Brda. They produce
a wide variety of white and red wines including Rebula, Pinot
Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon among the
former and Merlot, Chabernet Sauvignon and Refošk (the
so-called King of Reds) among the latter. Tours and tastings
are available for both individuals and larger groups, but it’s
always best to call at least a few days in advance to make
arrangements. QClosed Sun.
Valentinčič Tourism Podsabotin 48A, Kojsko, tel. +386
41 65 19 39/+386 53 04 65 78, uros.valentincic@siol.net,
www.valentincic.si. For nearly half a century the Valentinčič
family has been producing wine in the fertile rolling hills of Brda.
Specialising in fresh whites, including the region’s indigenous Rebula,
the place is open to visitors year-round, although it’s always
a good idea to call and make arrangements in advance. In addition
wine tastings and tours, the family’s four-hectare estate also
serves as a relaxing bed breakfast (the latter being quite tasty),
with six rooms and one suite, all fitted with wooden furniture,
modern amenities and ample amounts of rustic charm.
Vinska Klet Goriška Brda Zadružna 9, Dobrovo,
tel. +386 5 33 10 100, fax +386 5 33 10 109, info@
klet-brda.si, www.klet-brda.com. This cooperative is the
region’s largest wine producer and also boasts the country’s
largest wine cellar, with a capacity of 18 million litres. Since its
formation back in 1922, the cooperative has been the driving
force behind Goriška Brda’s viticulture tradition, and has also
taken an active role in promoting the region throughout Slovenia
and abroad. Highly educational tours of the cellar along
with wine tastings start at only €2.50 per person. QOpen
08:00 - 19:00, Sat 08:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun.
Eastern Slovenia
Galantes Wines www.vina-galantes.si, tel. (+386)
2654 42 70. Part of a cooperative aimed at promoting naturally-grown
products from the Štajerska region, they operate
two wine cellars in the hills north of Maribor and can arrange
tastings and guided tours in the surrounding vineyards. Check
with the tourist information centre or more details.
Jeruzalem (Prlekija Tourist Organisation) Jureša
Cirila 4, Ljutomer, tel. (+386) 2581 11 05, fax (+386)
2584 83 34, info@jeruzalem.si, www.jeruzalem.si. Legend
has it that the vine covered landscape of the Ljutomer-Ormož
hills, and the wine it produces, so enchanted passing crusaders
that a good number of them found it difficult to continue on their
quest to regain the Holy Land. Torn between religious fervour
and Bacchanalian urges, it was decided that the most expedient
solution would be to abandon their crusade and instead
just name the highest hill in area Jeruzalem - which in hindsight
may not have been the such a bad decision. Regardless of the
legend’s historical accuracy, it’s a matter of fact that the region
produces some of the best wine in the country, and its wine
roads are well worth visiting. Check with the local tourist board
for information on arranging accommodation and guided tours.
QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Radgonske Gorice Slovenia’s first producer of sparkling
wine has been turning out the bubbly stuff for over a century and
a half now. Located only a few hundred metres from the Austrian
border, their vast cellars are open for tastings, tours and even
the odd wedding, while a sightseeing train makes its way though
the thousand year old Radgona and Kapela districts.
ljubljana.inyourpocket.com
wine tAsting
December 2009 - January 2010
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