Primorje region

Situated in the southwestern corner of the country along the Italian border and the Adriatic Sea, Primorje’s name is taken from the Slovene phrase “by the sea.” It is blessed with a typical Mediterranean climate, with an early spring, warm, sunny summers, a short rainy season in September and October, and dry winds coming off the sea in the fall and winter. This has the effect of making the grapes ripen quickly, with low acidity, high sugar content, and strong pigments. Wines from Primorje are generally dry and rich in minerals, with reds and whites each making up about half of the region’s production.

There are four sub-regions within Primorje, each with its own subtle differences in climate and soil. BRDA, in the northernmost portion of Primorje, features low rocky hills with terraced vineyards and somewhat higher rainfall than other areas of the region. The VIPAVA VALLEY is a lush green expanse, with rich soils and moderate rainfall, that straddles the Vipava River on its way to the Adriatic. KRAS is a relatively flat area known for its red limestone soil, high in aluminum and iron oxides, and its hot, dry summers. KOPER, the area around Slovenia’s port city of the same name, has vineyards planted on plateaus overlooking the sea, exposed to the strong Mediterranean sun but protected by the higher humidity of the sea air.