Franc Vodopivec runs this family winery which has existed for over two centuries. He runs a argroturistic bed and breakfast with his wife and son. The winery and inn only serve product from what has only been culitivated by their own hand and this tradition has never been lost.

There are records of the farm as far back as the year 1769 at that time the house was named the Slavčevih (Nightingale), as testified by the church records. Many families had the same last name so the houses were named after different birds identify which family. Over generations the Slavček families produced wines which were and are famous for their high quality and are now being appreciated in the world market. Today’s task is to raise the quality of what we grow as we terroir, tradition and the essence of our family cultural values through the winemaking techniques of our forefathers.

The plots of the 10 hectar farm are on the outskirts of the Vipava valley which lies between the pisturesque edge of Trnovski Gozd and the steep slope of the Karst region on the border of the Alpine and Mediterranean regions.

The vineyard are on hilltops of mainly marl soil, but parts of the vineyards are also mixed with karst terra rosa red soil.

The vineyards are terraced on these steep slopes on the banks planted cherry, peach and olives trees surrounded by herbal plants that prevent erosion and creates biodiversity in the vineyard. These vineyards are also surrounded by forests from which the sounds of birds singing and the pleasant Mediterranean wind pampers the vines.

The vineyards are planted in areas where cultivation of grapes is environmentally friendly, consideration and respect of the biodynamic force. The grapes are hand-picked and selected.

The selected pick of Slavček wine are aged in neutral barrels which are made of oak and acacia which grows on the edge of the vineyard. Everything is regional. Pesticides and herbicides are not used.

Wine is produced according to ancient tradition, at least in the shorter maceration, so the wines are richer in coloring and taste. Natural stabilization occurs at ambient temperatures, with only racking prior to bottling.

Slavcek achieves silky elegant texture that showcases the varietal of the grape. Only a minimal amount of sulfur is added after fermention without and any other preservatives. Therefore, the wines are completely natural.

HARD FACTS

WINE NAME:
Pinot Sivi

PRODUCER:
Slavcek

VINTAGE:
2015

APPELLATION:
Vipavska Dolina

GRAPE VARIETIES:
100 % Sivi Pinot

FERMENTATION TANKS:
50 % oak barrel (10 years old), 50 % stainless steel

YEASTS:
Natural

MACERATION:
24 hours

MALOLACTIC:
spontaneously during fermentation

AGED IN:
After fermentation for three months in sediments

AGED FOR:
After three months of lying on sediments followed by maturation in: 25% in the old acacia barrels (two hundred liters), 25% in old oak barrels (two hundred liters), 50% in the old oak barrel

CLARIFICATION/FILTRATION:
After a month in a stainless tank, where the wine is exposed to ambient low temperature to become stable and ready for bottling by racking

ALCOHOL CONTENT:
13,2 % vol.

TOTAL PRODUCTION:
7,000 bottles

ALTITUDE:
80-170 m

SOIL:
lime rich marlstone

YEAR PLANTED:
1994