5 (More) to Try: Slovenian Wine

Intrigued by the growing presence of Slovenian wine on store shelves and wine lists, we dove into the category in our March/April 2024 issue. Daniel Lukin-Beck, general manager of Vinum Imports, which has specialized in wines from the country for more than 20 years, offered an introduction in our “5 to Try” column. But we encountered many fans of Slovenia’s fresh and diverse wines, such as Lou Amdur, owner of LA’s Lou Wine Shop (purveyor of “natural and unusual wines”), who we tapped to recommend some of his recent favorites. “These growers have any number of other delicious cuvees, but these bottles stood out,” says Amdur.

Kobal “Bajta” Rosé Pét-Nat

In the sub-region of Haloze in Štajerksa, winemaker Bojan Kobal grows vines on steep, terraced slopes and crafts vivacious and playful natural wines, such as this juicy, berry-forward pét-nat. “This vibrant, dry rosé of Modra Frankinja (aka Blaufränkisch) is crisp, light, and moderately turbid,” says Amdur. “I give it  2 out of 10 on the funk-o-meter.” $23.99, klwines.com

Batič, Cabernet Franc, Vipava Valley

The Vipava Valley is a narrow region between the Trnovo Forest Plateau and the Karst Plateau. With vineyards ranging in altitude from 60 to 1500 meters, the Batič estate has been crafting wine since 1592. Today, the Batič family continues making low-intervention wines such as indigenous whites and mineral-driven reds. “This Cab Franc is medium-bodied and earthy, with moderate-low bell peppery pyrazines,” says Amdur. “With two years in Slavonian oak barrels, it has some grippy tannins but nothing that’ll harsh your mellow.” $37.99, missonwines.com

Kabaj, Rebula, Goriška Brda

One of the most well-known wine regions in Slovenia, Goriška Brda is directly on the border of Italy’s famed Friuli-Collio DOCG. At Kabaj, “This is [winemaker] Jean Michel Morel’s take on Rebula—aka Ribolla Gialla across the border in Friuli,” explains Amdur, of the orange-hued wine. “It’s dry and savory with apricot kernels and subtle stone fruit, and the grapes receive 30 days of maceration, so there’s just a wisp of tannin, with fresh acidity.” $26.99, astorwines.com

Zajc, Cviček Pét-nat, Dolenjska

The Zajc family has been making wine since the second half of the 19th century. The region, Dolenjska, is known for the origin-protected style Cviček, known as the national drink of Slovenia. “It’s a traditional field blend wine typically made in a gluggy, low-extract, light and acid-driven style, but this is the first time I’ve experienced Cviček as a pét-nat and find it vavoom,” says Amdur. “Again, it’s Blaufränkisch, but here it is joined with an old Slovenian variety, Blauer Kölner, plus some white varieties, too—dry, trippy, low in alcohol, with spice, cranberry and dried cherry.” $20.99, cheeseandwinetraders.com

Štoka, Izbrani Teran, Kras

The Kras (or Carso in Italy) is on the western border of Slovenia and is Europe’s first recognized cross-border wine region. The Štoka farm is just 5 miles northeast of Trieste, and the family also raises cattle and pigs in addition to making wine since 1989. Teran is a native red grape—one of Slovenia’s only protected varieties—and it encompasses about half of Štoka’s 25 hectares of vines. “This one is a medium-bodied red, with mineral and camphoraceous notes and a lovely acidity,” Amdur says. $23, paulmarcuswines.com