The best guide to wonderful natural wines & amazing food in Travel, drink and eat well in Slovenia!

Travel, drink, and eat well in Slovenia. A small country that packs a punch on the European natural wine scene!

A WORD FROM THE NATURAL WINE EXPERT: Alen Audic - Founder of DrinkSloWine

This small country, nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, boasts a vibrant natural wine scene and a wealth of discoveries awaiting visitors. Wine plays a central role in Slovenian identity, with more than 20,000 wine producers—ranging from micro-family businesses to large wineries—producing millions of bottles per year in a country of approximately two million inhabitants. Even the national anthem is a poetic ode that, when written down, takes the shape of a glass of wine. As for the natural wine movement appeared there in the late 1990s and continues to grow. Something to seduce you.

Small independent winegrowers such as Urbajs (Organic Anarchy), Klinec, Nando, Čotar, Mlečnik and a few others began to adopt the principles of natural winemaking, in the same spirit as their Italian-Slovene neighbours Radikon and Collio. They rediscovered the traditional method of producing amber wines, macerated with as little intervention as possible, focusing on expressing the terroir and allowing the grapes to ferment with minimal human intervention. These pioneers inspired many other producers to join the movement.

More and more producers are joining this movement, revealing the enormous potential of the Slovenian climate for viticulture. The taste profile of Slovenian natural wines varies depending on the grape variety, winemaking philosophy, and region. They offer freshness, vibrant acidity, complex aromas, mineral notes, textured amber wines, and a few less conventional bottles. The multitude of flavors and indigenous grape varieties invites exploration.

But where can you find these wines in Slovenia? Let's take a journey from west to east.

Our first stop is the Soča Valley. Surprisingly, the small mountain village of Kobarid, in the northwestern corner of Slovenia, stands out as a leading hub for natural wines in the country. Pioneering establishments such as the restaurant Hiša Franko, now with three Michelin stars, were among the first to offer a varied selection of natural wines from Slovenia and Collio. To sample the local cuisine, don't miss Hiša Polonka, renowned for its traditional dishes such as Štruklji dumplings and its famous bœ roast egg. At DrinkSloWine, you will find the largest selection of natural Slovenian wines, and if the opportunity arises, don't hesitate to take part in a tasting organized by the winery. And to cool off, take a dip in the emerald waters of the Soča and Nadiža rivers.

From Kobarid, you can also add day trips to the wine regions of Karst and the valley of Vipava

To continue your journey in an original way, we recommend taking the car train from Most na Soči to Lake Bohinj, the deepest lake in Slovenia, surrounded by mountains. From there, you can easily reach Kranjska Gora and recently awarded 2 Michelin stars.

Continuing east towards Ljubljana, be sure to stop and admire the postcard-perfect view of Lake Bled. For a breathtaking view, hike up to the Belvedere of Villa Bled, which was once the residence of Tito.

Now, we head to the capital: Ljubljana. 
At Tabar, you'll find a wide selection of natural wines by the glass, as well as tasty small dishes. The Georgie bistro is a newcomer to the Ljubljana food scene. It's an ideal choice for a light lunch and a good drink. In the evening, we recommend Jaz, Ana Roš's new establishment, which offers quick bites and delicious wines. If you prefer to buy a bottle of wine, head to Vino Štorija, Ljubljana's natural wine cellar. All of these establishments are ideally located in the city center, allowing you to admire the panoramic view from the top of the castle hill.

To the east, Maribor is the center of the Štajerska wine region in eastern Slovenia. With its picturesque city center and rich wine-growing heritage, Maribor boasts the oldest vineyard in Europe, along the Drava River. Not far from there, on the main square, is Fudo, a bistro-style restaurant where you can enjoy a snack and a glass of local natural wine.

If you have more time, a trip to the Slovenian coast is also worth a detour. In the Venetian town of Piran, savor the delights of fresh seafood at the Pri Mari restaurant, where a modest selection of natural wines awaits you.

Throughout the year, local markets and food and wine festivals are held, mainly from May to October. Keep an eye out for them, as they are well worth a visit.

Slovenia has much to offer lovers of natural wines thanks to its abundance of small independent winegrowers, who produce exceptional wines in a variety of styles and adhere to natural winemaking methods. While the Soča Valley is an excellent starting point, exceptional natural wines can also be found in the Vipava Valley, the Karst, and the Štajerska region. When it comes to bars, restaurants, and wine shops, don't miss Ljubljana, Maribor, or Piran in the east of the country.