The enologist Uroš Bolčina explained that this year it was decided on a somewhat earlier harvest of grapes for white wine, mostly in order to obtain the fruity taste, and lesser maturity of grapes, which should result in adequately high level of sugar, and consequently alcohol.

A group of producers from the wine-growing region of Vipava presented a three-year programme of the joint project of 36 grape producers from the Vipava valley, with which they intend to participate at the bidding for Measure 133, the primary goal being promotion of high-quality and top wines with protected designation of origin. With this project they also wish to inform the public of the wine-growing region, the integrated viniculture, and the importance of the quality schemes.

A lot of excursions, and education
With planned marketing activities and events in the future years they intend to create, support and redefine the concept of wines of superior quality and quality wines with protected designation of origin from the wine-growing region of Vipava. The emphasis will be on the educational expert excursions during vintage time, where the participants will get acquainted with the integrated crop production from grapes to wine. At least 200 sale promotion activities through all of Slovenia will be organized, supported by promotional and information material, and interactive marketing activities as e.g. play contests, and information on Facebook and Twitter.

The main purpose is the implementation of the set vision which would contribute to the recognition of the Vipava region as an important wine-growing district and a tourist destination, and would improve the awareness of individuals on viniculture industry in this area. Boris Jež, the president of the board Vipava 1894, said: "If champagne is a synonym for French sparkling wine, why couldn't a wine from one of the Vipava wine-cellars become a synonym for Slovenian wine-growing district of Primorska?" Vipava 1894 wishes, following such model of recognition, to draw attention to the wine-growing district, and improve the visibility of certain wine types.

Another goal: foreign markets
In near future they would like to improve the export from the present 20 to 30 percent of the production, and with this in mind they are adapting the production and the taste of wine to the world guidelines, and wishes of clients from other parts of the world.
The realisation of the project co-financed by the Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia for the period 2007 – 2013 is worth 342,000 Euro. RS and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development contribute 70 percent, i.e. 199,500 Euro.

Our gallery is offering some photographs from the symbolic opening of the vintage in the wine-growing region of Vipava, and from our visit to the wine-cellar Vipava 1894. They are already looking forward to this year's 16th Slovenian wine festival on November 21 and 22. There you will already be able to taste the types of wine from this vintage year, which will be the result of a specially refined production technology.

Tanja Mojzer, translated by G. K.