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Taste Slovenia’s Wine Regions: A 4 stop itinerary to uncover this heavenly gem of Europe

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    Slovenia is filled with underrated wineries and hilltop vineyards that will surprise any wine aficionado with a joyful dance on their tastebuds!

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    Logan Ly, Digital Creative Globetrotter

ABOUT

Long before the Romans had brought winemaking to France, Germany, and Spain - essentially introducing this nectar of the Gods to Western Europe, a little country out in the centre of the continent was already producing such velvety delights. With a deep heritage of winemaking, Slovenia is one of the top producing wine regions in Europe, even though it’s ever so understated.

That’s partially perhaps because most of the wine produced in Slovenia is consumed within Slovenia - so you may not have gotten the chance to try it. But with over 28,000 wineries producing up to 80 million litres of wine each year (for a country that’s 2 times smaller than Switzerland), Slovenian wine is a sparkling force to be reckoned with.

To break it down, there are three main wine regions in Slovenia. On the West of the country, which also happens to be part of Slovenia’s only sliver of the seaside, is the Primorska wine region. To the East, there are two bigger wine regions: the Podravje wine region which is close to Hungary, and the Posavje wine region which borders Croatia.

In general, the west of Slovenia has more dry wines, and towards the east, the wine gets sweeter as the grapes gradually get more acidic (which needs to be compensated so they make sweeter wines). While there are over 26 wine routes you can embark on all over Slovenia, this itinerary is a sampling of our hand-picked choices to experience a taste of Slovenia’s wine culture.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

THIS TRIP IS FOR YOU...
Food and drinks enthusiast
Outdoor activities
Cultural trip
Family Fun
Couples

Your Itinerary

Stop 1: Ljubljana

All roads in Slovenia start or end in Ljubljana. It’s easy to see why, since the wonderful capital city is at the heart of the country and, from he...

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81km to Stop 2
Stop 2: Marezige

Kick-start your sojourn into Slovenia’s wine heritage with the leading wine-growing region of the country, Primorska. Built on traditions of crafti...

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123km to Stop 3
Stop 3: Radeče

Heading to the East side of the country, the Posavje wine region is in the lower corner of the Sava river valley. Different versions of the ruby-re...

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65km to Stop 4
Stop 4: Maribor

In the northeast part of Slovenia lies the country's largest wine-growing and producing region, Podravje wine region. Boasting the oldest grapevine...

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Ready for a change of scenery?

Plan your perfectly curated trip!

Stop 1 :Ljubljana

Ljubljana , Slovenia

All roads in Slovenia start or end in Ljubljana. It’s easy to see why, since the wonderful capital city is at the heart of the country and, from here, you can easily drive out to explore the wine regions. Now before you set off on a wine tour of Slovenia, Ljubljana makes for a great inauguration into the country’s wine culture. There are great restaurants that make awe-inspiring creative dishes that are meant to be paired with the local wine offering and there are wine bars all around Ljubljana with their own unique characteristics.

INTERESTS & PREFERENCES

Family Fun
Food & Drinks

Things to do

  • A plate of Slovenian tapas and a glass of wine at TaBar.
    TaBar
    Slovenian-inspired tapas and the country’s iconic orange wine? Say no more!  
  • The wide and curved interior Strelec Restaurant hosted in a castle tower.
    Restaurant Strelec at Ljubljana Castle
    When you picture an urban city, this spot debunks that skyscraper image with sprawling mountain p...  
  • The interior wine cellar of Grajska Vinoteka with full wine case on display.
    Grajska Vinoteka
    An unparalleled view of Ljubljana from a castle terrace? Yes please!  
  • A stall at the Ljubljana Wine Route Event with people exhibiting their wine.
    Ljubljana Wine Route Event
    Saint-Martin’s Day is an autumn celebration of the harvest - and in Slovenia’s tradition, the cul...  

Places to stay

Stop 2 :Primorska wine region

Marezige , Slovenia

Kick-start your sojourn into Slovenia’s wine heritage with the leading wine-growing region of the country, Primorska. Built on traditions of crafting excellent Slovenian wine on top of contemporary methods, the Primorska wine region stretches from the Tuscany-like hillside of Goriška Brda to the largest peninsula of the Adriatic sea, the Slovenian Istria. With the unique marriage of alpine climate and the sea, Primorska’s sun-drenched grapevines are an indulgence of red, whites and full-bodied varieties of wine.

A speciality of the Primorska wine region is the indigenous grapes that produce the country’s much cherished orange wine. Wait, there’s rose, red, and white - but orange? It’s a fascinating colour for wine as each glass of this amber astringent - while glowing and alluringly beautiful - is actually white wine at its core. Through the process of the grape's skin, the colour naturally becomes deeper, into the orange that makes this nectar.

INTERESTS & PREFERENCES

Art & Culture
Food & Drinks

Things to do

  • Two sculptures of wine on a hill overlooking Vinska Fontana Marezige.
    Vinska Fontana Marezige
    Have you ever fantasized about a place where wine just flows in abundance?  
  • A red wine ice cream made by the Refoškoladnica.
    Wine-flavoured ice cream at Refoškoladnica
    Wine and ice cream together?! Well say no more!  
  • A family biking through the vineyards with their Dimbikes rental.
    Cycling through Vipava Valley and Karst
    Imagine this: cycling at your own pace, passing by vintage villages on a rolling landscape of vin...  
  • The exterior facade of the Posestvo Brič building in the hillside.
    Posestvo Brič
    In the untouched valley of the Dragonja River, there’s a wine estate right on a hill that overlooks the Croatian border.  
  • A glass of orange wine perched on a rock of Zaro Winery.
    Zaro Winery
    Wine with an unparalleled view of the seaside - a match made in heaven.  
  • Kamp Brda in front of its pool with pool chairs.
    Kamp Brda
    More than just a campsite - elevate your stay!  

Places to stay

Stop 3 :Posavje wine region

Radeče , Slovenia

Heading to the East side of the country, the Posavje wine region is in the lower corner of the Sava river valley. Different versions of the ruby-red Pinot wine are produced here, including Chardonnay, Sivi Pinot (the local name for Pinot Gris), Pinot Blanc aka Beli Pinot, and Modri Pinot, otherwise known as Pinot Noir. While the Posavje wine region is the most up-and-coming in terms of notoriety among the three wine regions of Slovenia, it has plenty of charms. You can find many zidanice, which are the most folklore-type wine cottages that you can spend the night in, located in the middle of the vineyards.

Another treat is a unique wine only produced from the Posavje wine region - a tarty bright beverage that goes by the name of cviček. Since cviček is a red wine that also has a low alcohol content, it pairs perfectly with the mouth-watering traditional meat dishes of Slovenia; adding to the charm of the Posavje

INTERESTS & PREFERENCES

Art & Culture
Family Fun
Sightseeing
Adventure

Things to do

  • The views of Ostrovrhar's wine trails with traditional building.
    Walking the Ostrovrhar’s wine trail
    If you want to go on a stroll to see the various pastoral sights of Posavje wine region, this is the hike for you!  
  • Embarking on the docks to raft on the Sava River.
    Rafting on the Sava River
    Take a beautiful and laidback journey - down an epic river.  
  • A group of people having a wine tasting inside the Turnip Caves.
    Najger Turnip Cave
    If you want to feel like a modern-day Indiana Jones, you have to explore Slovenia’s ‘turnip’ caves.  
  • The indoor design of pools and spa area of Terme Čatež.
    Terme Čatež Thermal Spa
    The largest water park in Central Europe - powered by thermal springs!  
  • Sevnica Castle overlooking the town of Sevnica by the riverside.
    Castle vineyard of Sevnica Castle
    In the historical part of Sevnica, a town that lies on the left bank of the Sava River, there is ...  

Places to stay

Stop 4 :Podravje wine region

Maribor , Slovenia

In the northeast part of Slovenia lies the country's largest wine-growing and producing region, Podravje wine region. Boasting the oldest grapevine in, not just Europe, but the world - on top of being known for its white wines - the Podravje wine region is a treasure trove for wine lovers and travellers alike.

The dominion-ripples of vineyards on green hills are a given for breath-stopping sights of Jeruzalem. Jeruzalem is a notable Slovenian town in Podravje wine region - up there in the nation’s iconism with Lake Bled and Lljubljana. Part of the town heritage harks to the 2400 years of wine-making tradition that came before it since the surrounded hills were always a pristine condition for wine production.

INTERESTS & PREFERENCES

Art & Culture
Food & Drinks
Adventure

Things to do

  • A bottle of wine and a glass overlooking the Puklavec Family Wines.
    Uncover wine cellar secrets of the Puklavec Family Wines
    This expansive wine cellar was built back in 1967 - travel back in time with it.  
  • Jeruzalem wine route with different vineyards against the hillside.
    Walking the Jeruzalem wine route
    Explore the enchanting vineyard pathways through the Jeruzalem wine route.  
  • Old Vine House with a vine growing along the side of the storied wall.
    World’s Oldest Vine at Old Vine House
    450 years old isn't so old... When it comes to the world's oldest vine!  
  • Vinag Wine Cellar hosting a wine tasting with a group of people by the barrels.
    Vinag Wine Cellar
    What is it about underground caverns and tunnels that make them so fascinating?  
  • DravaCenter Bar in autumn with canoes available for rent.
    Water activities at the DravaCenter Bar
    Drive right in for an action-pack river adventure!  

Places to stay

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