Explore Slovenian Wine Regions

Slovenia wine country that produces a wide range of wines, went through a dynamic development of the wine scene in recent years. Today, the country skilfully dares to cross the border between tradition and modernity.

Check out the list of the best wineries in Slovenia

About Slovenia Wine Country

The Slovenian wine tradition began 2,400 years ago with the Celts, who cultivated the first vines there. Winegrowing also flourished under the Romans, and Slovenian wines were even praised by the Roman author Pliny the Elder. In later times, the affiliation to Austria-Hungary was particularly noticeable: Austrian winegrowers produced the wines for the noble houses in different Slovenian wine regions.

With the advent of phylloxera at the end of the 19th century, almost all vines were destroyed. Only when independence was obtained in 1991 did a rapid and positive development of viticulture begin again. Nowadays more and more medals and prizes are being collected in international competitions.

Wine Tourism in Slovenia

Wine tourism in Slovenia is represented by small, family-owned boutique wineries in three major Slovenian wine regions. During your wine trip to the country, you can experience charming countryside landscapes, stunning natural and cultural heritage together with local mouthwatering cuisine.

Discover some of the best wine tasting tours in Slovenia

Slovenia Wine Map

Optimal Climatic Conditions for High-Quality Viticulture

The climate in Slovenia is influenced by the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. The diversity of the geological and climatic conditions ensures an enormous variety of wine styles that Slovenia wine country produces. The climate in the country, guarantees sufficient rainfalls in spring, followed by warm summers. This gives the grapes plenty of sun and enables them to reach ideal ripeness levels that are important for quality wines. If long Slovenian autumn follows with a lot of sunshine, the best conditions for unique quality wines exist. There are around 60 different grape varieties cultivated in Slovenia wine country on a total of around 17,500 hectares of vineyards, of which about three-quarters are white grape varieties. The country's winemakers rely primarily on Western European varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling. Traminer and Pinot Gris wines are also becoming increasingly popular. The remaining 25% red varieties are made up of Refosco, Merlot, and sometimes also Blaufränkisch.

Slovenian Wine Regions - Three Large Wine-Growing Areas

Today Slovenia is divided into three large cultivation areas. Slovenian wine regions, Podravska (Drava Valley), Primorska on the Adriatic Coast, and Posavska (Sava Valley), express diversity in the wines they produce.

Podravska Wine Region

Podravska is especially known for unique white wines from Furmint or Welschriesling. Traminer and Chardonnay grapes are also very important here. Besides unique wines, the Podravska wine region attracts visitors for its historic heritage. Come and discover one of the largest and oldest classical wine cellars in Europe that boast 2.1 km long underground passages and taste local wines.

Find out more about Wine Tasting & Tours in Podravska to enjoy your visit to the region.

Primorska Wine Region

Primorska is one of the most developed and well-known Slovenian wine regions. The region has strong Italian influence, which is expressed not only in viticulture and winemaking but also in its language, cultural traditions, architecture, and gastronomy.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Primorska to enjoy your visit to the region.

On the Adriatic coast, too, Chardonnay is used alongside Sauvignon Blanc. However, excellent Merlot and Pinot Noir red wines are also produced here. A traditional Slovenian red wine from this area is the Teran from Refosco grapes that provide a high acidity.

Posavska Wine Region

Posavska wine region, in the southeastern part of Slovenia, is famous for the production of Cviček wine. Cviček is a blend of red and white grape varieties and it is characterized by a low alcohol level. Visit the Posavska wine region and discover unique wine that Slovenians are proud of.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Posavska to enjoy your visit to the region.

Posavska region, which is also known as Sava Valley, is located in the southeast of the Slovenia wine country, on the border with Croatia. Much of the region's wine is consumed on the domestic market. In Primorska, Slovenian Istria is known for its juicy white wines from the Malvazija grape variety, red wine lovers will get their money's worth with the spicy red Refošk. The Teran wine from the Karst region is even darker and more substantial, as the iron oxide-containing terra rossa soils give it a particularly fiery taste.