Welcome to Vipava valley, the valley of wine and fruit, castles, manors, clustered villages, narrow streets, stone houses and velbani hrami/vaulted wine cellars. A quick Živjo (Hello) and we were invited in a green van. Let the Vipava valley wine adventure begin.

In Ajdovščina we met Matjaž and Vito, our guides, wine enthusiasts and local experts around Vipava valley. You could see quickly in their eyes that they are both easy going, very friendly and passionate about Vipava valley. Before starting our journey we were offered a welcome drink – homemade spruce shoots and blueberry liqueurs made by a good friend of Matjaž. On the road towards the first wine cellar Matjaž and Vito explained the facts about Vipava valley with full of interesting and funny stories. Did you know that strong bora winds frequently unroof buildings and this is the reason why roof-tiles are often weighted down with rocks and stones in Vipava valley? Also the trees are adapted to strong bora winds and they grow like the wind blows with very strong roots. While driving through the Upper Vipava valley, we could see people working in the vineyards. It was the time of harvesting grapes. The scenery was amazing. Home of Slovenian wine is in Vipava valley where the continental and Mediterranean climate are mixing and where the first Slovenian book on wine-growing, wine-making and viticulture was published in 1844 by Matija Vertovec. Our first stop was in very boutique family run winery.

We experienced the authentic and specific tastes of Vipava wines and tried local grape varieties Zelen and Pinela with their fresh and excellent tastes along with homemade prosciutto, home-baked bread and olives. Zelen wine was once grown by big farmers and aristocracy and used only for special occasions. What is more, we were offered to sample red varieties as well which are aged in oak wooden barrels. I was surprised when Matjaž told me that almost every house in Vipava valley has its own wine cellar. And more surprisingly, nearly all families are owning vineyards and striving to preserve the wealth of wines. Visiting 300-year old wine cellar, learning about long wine-making tradition and wine production, sampling Cabernet Sauvignon, Rebula, Rose, Merlot, Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and singing wine songs. What a life. With a glass of good wine and friendly locals surrounded by wine barrels.

Highlights:
– indulging taste buds and tasting autochthonous wine varieties
– entering into people’s places of work and passion
– great acoustics in a 300- year old wine cellar
– amazing stories of family run wineries
– stone-covered roofs and bora winds.