Slovenian wine boasts a rich, ancient history. Its winemaking predates that of major wine-producing countries like France and Spain.

Today, Slovenia, situated at the crossroads of Central Europe and the Mediterranean, produces diverse and unique wines across three main wine-growing regions: Primorska, Podravje, and Posavje. Slovenia cultivates both international varieties and unique indigenous grapes

The grapes, most commonly Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, are used to make several base wines that are assembled together to make Champagne, English Sparkling wine and other classic cuvée wines.

Champagne blends can also include Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Other appelations have rules about which grapes can be included.

After graduating in Oenology in the 1960s Janez Istenič enjoyed a career as a winemaker at one of Yugoslavia’s state cellars. He won a scholarship to study in Champagne thanks to his love of bubbles. On his return to Slovenia he realised that his father-in-law’s vineyard, which produced wines with “distinct freshness”, had similarities with the high-acid grapes of Champagne.

The rest, as they say, is history!