Vitovska, Rencel

The vineyards are located in the vicinity of Dutovlje, Kras, Slovenia. Vines are mixed, consisting of trellises (30 – 60 years old) and single guyots (10 – 30 years old). The average altitude of vineyards is 270 m. Vineyard area is 3.5 ha. The vineyards are facing south and are located approx 9 miles from the Gulf of Trieste, Italy. Soil is formed from calcareous sediments – “terra rossa”.

Varieties: Malvasia, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vitovska, Teran, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir.

Vineyards are spontaneously planted with grass and treated in ecologically sensitive way. There is no treatment with herbicides and fertilizers. Harvest is manual and takes place in September and October (to achieve maximum maturity of the grapes). Yield is 3000 – 3500 kg of grapes per hectare.

Cellar: Fermentation takes place spontaneously using ambient yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is completed thoroughly in most of the cases. Wines are made in a natural way (no cultured yeasts, no added tannins or acids, no cleaning and filtering…). Small addition of sulfur dioxide is made only during first decanting. The total amount of sulfur dioxide does not exceed 20 – 45 mg per liter.