Slovenia: A Small, But Mighty Wine Region

The rich winemaking history of Slovenia, tracing back 2,000 years, was a revelation to me. Equally surprising was the fact that Slovenia earned the initial title of the world’s first Green Destination, a distinguished achievement in building a sustainable ecosystem for tourism. I also had no idea that the country is home to the world’s oldest vine, still producing fruit after an impressive 400 years.

For a tiny nation of just over 7,800 square miles, the diversity of the wines and the number of indigenous grape varietals is impressive.  The terroir is influenced by the Alpine, Mediterranean, and Pannonian climates, contributing to the production of unique and high-quality wines.

Slovenia spans the Julian Alps, lakes, forests, and coastal areas along the Adriatic Sea. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the east, and Croatia to the south.  First inhabited by the Kelts and the Illyrians, and then by the Romans, wine making has been around for centuries. Slovenia’s history is storied with monasteries fueling growth, phylloxera, socialist government and finally when it became independent in 1991, which led to the growth we see today from blending modern and Old-World techniques.

The Winemakers from US Slovenia Tour

Sommelier Bujar Yuri Tukuli of Duro Hospitality and me

Recently I attended a master class, which was part of the US Slovenia tour, led by Sommelier Bujar Yuri Tukuli of Duro Hospitality, which was where I tasted small