Our ancestors farmed traditionally, without the use of modern methods of farming and thus
preserved the immense richness of the soil. This was a great advantage, because it maintained
the long-term vitality of the soil. We inherited the 7 hectares large farm from our parents in
1980. In the beginning, we continued traditional farming, but it did not content usfully. In
order to make progress, we decided to start an organic production. In 1995, we decided to
grow grapes in amphoras and here began our path of living with nature. Years of
experimenting and making surveys brought us to biodynamic farming, which is now our way
of life. In 2014, we decided to include our farm in Demeter control.
Our farm lies on the southern slopes of Pohorje, where there is a strong bond with Žiče
monastery. Žiče monastery is a part of European culture and history and is intimately fused
with our places and people. More than a thousand years old history of the Charterhouse ended
in 1782, when Emperor Joseph II in the spirit of enlightenment reforms in Europe ordained to
close down one of the leading Carthusian monasteries, which had large estates. Thus,
vineyards spread out over Pohorje region from Slovenske Konjice to Maribor, where they also
had stocked cellars for storing wine and residing. After the closure of the monastery, the
clergy sold its land and buildings. Thus, our ancestors bought part of the land and a small
cellar for wine storage, part of which is still preserved. The rich tradition of viticulture binds
us to continue production of natural wines with a spirit, body and soul.
Life in the embrace of Pohorje forests is exceptional. Pohorje is composed of igneous rocks,
which are covered only by a very thin layer of fertile soil; therefore, there is a lot of forest. On
clearings, there is a thicker layer of fertile soil, where vast fields, vineyards and secluded
farms spread out. There is always a gentle wind blowing, whispering the eternal song of life
to us.
We revive the fertile soil each year, and we make sure that we keep the cosmic energy in our
preparations, which we use for the production of compost and spraying. We strive for
continual decomposition and restoring of life. We have a unique location, which is very rich
in the mineral. In the ground, there is tonalite rock, which retains moisture throughout the
year, the unique green marble Čizlakit, white marble, which was already used by the Romans
in this area, as well as gold in trace and other elements that affect the character of our wines.
Today we cultivate 4 hectares of vineyard and 3 hectares of high stem orchards on our farm.
We complete the circuit with mini sheep, which live all year-round in the vineyards, and give
out exceptionalness in the spiritual sense. Carefully harvested grapes are always macerated
according to biodynamic principles, so life continues. One-half of the harvest of grapes is
placed in amphorae, which are buried under the open sky. Cosmic forces turn grapes through
the winter into wine and thus give us a unique live wine, where the man with his ego is just a
mere observer. Ever since I was a child I dreamed about making wine without a cellar or a
press. Now, I always dream beautiful dreams, which are brought to me by tasting the spirit of
my wine. The second half of our wine is kept in used oak barrels with a minimum quantity of
sulfur…sulfor is not aded in to the wine, just burned 3g of it on empty 1000l barrel.
Wine is food, let’s never stay hungry.
Photo credit: DrinkSloWine
