August, 02 2023 ( Updated March, 12 2024)
Sharing a border with Italy is another country where La Dolce Vita arrests the senses and invites amateurs as well as connoisseurs to a feast unlike any other.
With more than 7,500 winemakers, Slovenia’s viticulture is not only an economic profession, but an activity born out of passion, soul and love for life. In this land of untouched nature and fairy-tale castles, no less than 52 vine varieties are cultivated, with three major wine regions producing some of the finest Slovenian wines and experiences.
Enjoy Slovenian wine and discover the best wine tours
The Primorska, Podravje, and Posavje Wine regions are sprinkled with family-owned wineries, wherein lie alluring Slovenian Wine Tours and a genuine offer of experiencing the Slovenian countryside and its sustainable vineyard cottage tourism.
In our blog, we have rounded up the best wine tasting tours along with some of the top stays in vineyards in Slovenia for the ultimate experience!
Home to the biggest winery in Slovenia, Klet Brda, this warm landscape with Mediterranean touches and Italian influences is most popular among wine lovers. The Primorska region constitutes four wine districts: Goriska Brda, Slovenska Istria, Kras and Vipavska Dolina and has the most glorious vineyard view on the planet, too! On a clear day, the Gonjače Tower, perched on the highest hill of Brda, becomes the perfect venue to capture an unforgettable view of the glimmering Gulf of Trieste, the majesty of Brda region and snowy Alpine peaks!
The dusky colours of a sunset spreading over Smartno village Goriska Brda, a wine region near Italy
Due to its proximity to Italy, the Primorska region winemaking methods are majorly Italian in nature, producing excellent fruity and fresh white varieties: Rebula, Malvasia, Refosco and Pinela, and internationally famous reds: Merlot, Teran and Cabernet Sauvignon. But out of all the reds, it is Teran that wins the top spot on the list of best wines in Slovenia!
There are several tours to choose from, depending on personal taste and preference. In Goriska Brda, Klet Brda winery offers ten of their award-winning wines paired with delicious grasini and regional dishes. Meanwhile, Benedetič Winery has an elaborate tour of their organic winemaking process that goes through vinification rooms, wine cellars and vineyards, and offers a 10-wine tasting menu with bread, cheese and prosciutto.
A gorgeous sunset colouring a vineyard in dreamy colours in Vipava Valley
In the lush hills of the beautiful Vipava Valley, where the indigenous Zelèn with its spicy, aromatic notes is produced, the family-friendly Lepa Vida Winery offers a boutique experience, while Vina Poljšak Winery’s wine-tasting menu includes a delightfully wide range of wines.
Going towards the peninsula, the Istrian wine route has the 1985 Vina Bordon Winery, known for its high-quality wine production and innovation. On menu is Slovenia’s unique Orange Wine as well as reds, whites, rose, sparkling and sweet wines.
The region where one of the most famous Carnivals of Europe, Kurentovanje of Ptuj, is celebrated, is also the region that promises the most carnivalesque experience. Deriving its name from the Drava River, the Podravje Region is divided into two wine districts: one is the largest wine district in Slovenia, Styria (Štajerska Region) and the other is the producer of the finest reds of Slovenia, the Prekmurje region.
The charming Maribor Town Hall and Plague Column in the central square
Along with some excellent wine tours, Styria offers the oldest drop of wine in Maribor, where it nurtures a 400-year-old grapevine that still produces a remarkable 55 kg of the Red Velvet variety grape suitable for wines. The region is otherwise also known for its whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Traminer, Ranina, White Furmint and Blue Franconian wines, out of which White Furmint is a regional speciality with aromas of apple, peach and grass.
Famous heart-shaped wine route in beautiful autumn colours, near Maribor, Slovenia
Enjoy wine tasting along with a slice of viticulture history at Winery Horvat (located in Maribor), where winemakers lay out a generous wine menu, anywhere between 7-10 wines including Orange, Rose and sparkling wines. For those whom the secret behind what goes into making a good wine intrigues, the Extreme wine tasting and tour at M-Enostavno Dobra Vina provide a unique learning experience with an enologist.
Tip: Travel to these wine towns from Ljubljana on day tours as it takes less than 2 hours to reach from the Slovenian capital.
Find holiday homes in Ljubljana.
The Posavje Region, which is made of the Dolenjska, Bizeljsko and Bela Krajina districts, offers a genuine experience of the Slovenian Countryside.
Out of these, Dolenjska has its own regional speciality, Cviček. This highly popular wine among Slovenians is made of a mix of red and white grape varietals and is even good for health if consumed in moderation! However, Dolenjska holds the promise of something truly special as winemaking is still up-and-coming and often winemakers are more interested in celebrating life through food and wine. In fact, the entire Posavje region has something that has only recently come up but is gaining a lot of popularity. Due to increasing interest in slow and sustainable tourism, Vineyard Cottage Tourism are becoming great alternative choices for most travellers. These authentic, farm-to-table experiences allow complete relaxation in lush environments characterised by terraced slopes, idyllic environments, and charming accommodations, perfect to escape urban lives. Most of the cottages offer sumptuous traditional saunas, hot tubs, wine tasting and unique stay options by Slovenian wine producers in Posavje.
Experience the allure of Dolenjska at this beautifully serene Vineyard cottage with open-air tub amidst the vineyards
Featuring a 7,000-liter wooden barrel, a Finnish sauna and a massage tub for total relaxation, the Vineyard Cottage Pavlin invites you for a wholesome experience. Indulge in wine-tasting in the cellar, enjoy a rustic experience and sleep in the attic under a thatched roof, try homemade bread, salami and cheese or savour seasonal vegetables and fruits from the garden, there are many joys of life to find in Vineyard Cottage Pavlin.
Escape to this peaceful vineyard holiday house with private garden, sauna and year-round comfort with air-conditioning
At Vineyard Home Martin, get together at traditional Slovenian seating around a cosy fireplace, fire up the large brick barbecue with a rustic-style farm kitchen perfect for summer, taste wine in the large cellar or just cool down under the soothing shade of age-old trees. There are many ways to relax and celebrate life at Vineyard Home Martin.
Situated amidst vineyards renowned for producing top-quality grapes for the famous Cviček wine, a truly exceptional spot
With a wine cellar, infrared sauna and picnic area in the heart of vineyards with first-class grapes that produce excellent and renowned Cviček wine, Vineyard Cottage Hočevar is designed to bring together an ultimate unwinding experience. Plus, with nearby spas: Terme Šmarješke Toplice, Dolenjske Toplice or Terme Čatež, a vacation at Vineyard Cottage Hočevar becomes even more indulgent.
Perched on a hillside above Smarjeske Toplice amidst vineyards, this 6-person cottage is ideal for an adventurous getaway in Dolenjska's renowned beauty
Just 20 minutes from Novo Mesto, the luscious setting of Vineyard Cottage Brega offers a wine cellar and a spacious dining area. In the attractive courtyard, two outside dining options; one inside a large wine barrel and the other under the balmy shade of the trees, provide ample opportunity to reconnect and rewind at Vineyard Cottage Bregač.
A serene cottage for four, nestled in pristine countryside amid vineyards and forests
The Vineyard Cottage Pyramid features a wine cellar, where guests can sample and buy the owner’s wines, and have the option of enjoying it on a charming, covered terrace complete with a wood-burning grill, BBQ and an outside dining area.
This charming former wine store on a hillside is the perfect escape in the idyllic Dolenjska region
On the hillside, overlooking the beautiful city of Novo Mesto, in the heart of the idyllic Dolenjska region, this charming former wine store is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to escape from it all. With a private hot tub and a shaded dining area overlooking the valley, Vineyard Cottage Rataj not only offers an organic experience but also a sustainable holiday option.
Find more vineyard cottages like these in Slovenia.
September
Though Teran tops the list of the most popular wine in Slovenia, it is Rebula that Slovenian wine culture is mostly associated with.
There are certain things that one can keep in mind on wine-tasting tours to not seem like a novice. First, during multiple wine-tasting, it is not mandatory to finish the wine sample. You can throw the extra wine in dump buckets before moving to the next one. Second, give the wine a swirl to aerate it and release its aromas. Third, since wine tasting is a highly subjective, based on personal taste, it is recommended to not make any negative comments whilst tasting.
join over 80,000 people who receive our updates
Nederlands
Deutsch
Italiano
Español
Français
