In southwest Slovenia, the country’s winemaking jewel of a region is nestled along the Vipava River, which has historically served as the nexus between the Friulian lowlands of northeast Italy & central Slovenia. Within the broader rolling hills of the Vipava, farther southeast, where a sub-valley extends, carved out by the crystal-clear Branica River, a valley of the same name emerges with distinct sub-ecologies & climatic conditions particularly well-suited to the cultivation of lean-mean-acid-driven-machines & macerated wines. Here, in a village called Stanjel, in technically the Upper Vipava, Sandra & Matej Bizjak have crafted winsome delights for nearly a decade. Following various careers in “the rat race,” the couple “retired” to this winefarmer’s life in the Slovenian countryside, though by no means is this the kind of cushy luxuriation typically associated with “retirement.” Their hard work  in the vines – evidenced by their organic certification in the past few years – results in healthy fruit, part and parcel of a thriving biodiversity on their farm. For the share, we have their macerated Malvazija, a classic style of wine from this part of Slovenia’s Vipava Valley.

Stanjel, Slovenia. 100% Malvazija Istriana. Fermented whole cluster for a gentle infusion with the skins in stainless steel tank. Unfined, unfiltered with minimal SO2 at bottling. Spicy, salty, stone fruits.