Štorija (“The Story”) is a fantastic little gem of a wine shop located on Trubarjeva street in Ljubljana. It has an organized sense of chaos where you can discover some of the most special Slovenian wines. The selection is fun and creative, with a strong focus on natural wines. Most of the bottles come from small boutique wineries that are rarely found outside Slovenia. The owner, David Šinigoj, is passionate and a true expert on Slovenian wines.
In this wine shop, you can easily lose yourself for hours while choosing among fantastic wines — with excellent guidance from the owner, David. There’s a real risk that you’ll walk out with more bottles than you originally intended. I know this from personal experience.
Slovenia is a very special country when it comes to wine production. Just like its culture and geography, its wines are diverse and distinctive. Because the country and its market are relatively small, many producers have focused on specialization and the domestic market, resulting in highly original and characterful wines.
Štorija is a wonderful place to explore Slovenia’s rich wine culture. The shop has a fantastic and unique atmosphere, and you can enjoy a glass of many of the wines on offer, all without having to travel to each winery yourself.
The Wines
Here are descriptions of some of the wineries and wines you can find at Štorija. A visit to the shop gives you the opportunity to taste and purchase special, original wines from all corners of Slovenia.
One of the specialties you’ll find in the store is Pét-Nat, short for pétillant naturel, a naturally sparkling wine that is often slightly cloudy and full of character. Another highlight is the wide selection of orange wines, an area in which Slovenia really excels.
The bloggers have tried wines from most of these wineries.
- Svetlik - A small winery that produces only one wine: a macerated, natural orange Rebula. Located above the village of Kamnje in the Vipava Valley, the winery is run by Ivi and Edvard Svetlik. The blog even has a bottle of their wine waiting at home!
- Štemberger - Located in the village of Šepulje in the Karst region, this winery is certified organic. Their range includes wines made from domestic grape varieties such as Malvazija, Rebula (Ribolla), and Refošk (Refosco). A specialty of the Karst region is Teran, a wine made from a variety of the Refošk grape, known for its high levels of antioxidants. Teran is a protected designation of origin within the European Union. The blog has enjoyed their wine B+, a powerful and flavorful blend with Refošk as the base. Štemberger also offers a selection of orange wines.
- Terpin - The Terpin winery is located just across the border in Italy near the city of Gorizia, just south of Goriška Brda. The blog has visited the winery and can confirm that they speak Slovenian. That is why their wines are sold at Štorija. You will find wines based on the Refošk and Malvazija grapes just like in Slovenia. This is a producer with a strong focus on powerful, flavorful orange wines. The production is approximately 22,000 liters per year.
- Klinec - A small biodynamic winery located in Goriška Brda above the Vipava Valley in Slovenia. Their wines are known for concentrated and original flavors. A standout is their orange, unfiltered wine Gardelin, which the blogger has tasted and describes as almost red in character. The winery produces approximately 24,000 bottles per year.
- Rojac - A small winery in Slovenian Istria that produces only organic wines from indigenous Malvazija and Refošk (Refosco) grapes. Located in the hills above Izola, their wines are known for their concentrated flavors. The winery also offers an orange wine, a specialty of Slovenia.
- Blažič - A family-run winery located in the village of Medana in Goriška Brda. Organic production is standard practice. They produce between 20,000 and 30,000 bottles per year, with an assortment divided into three categories: Fresh, Mature, and Selection.
- Guerila - A biodynamic winery located in the Vipava Valley, just outside the town of Vipava. Their range is divided into three lines: Guerila Classic, Guerila Selection, and Guerila Extreme. They focus mainly on wines from domestic grape varieties. A specialty of the winery is that some wines are aged in clay amphoras, which gives a cleaner taste compared to barrel aging.
- Keltis - Keltis is a producer of organic wines located in Bizeljsko, near the border with Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. The grape varieties are specific to this area and are quite different from those used in Slovenian Istria and the Vipava Valley, showing more in common with Austrian wine traditions. Their range is highly original and distinctive.
- Atimo - A very small wine producer, Atimo makes only 1,000 magnum bottles per year of a single variety. The winery positions its wine as perfect for special occasions.
- Zorjan - A unique wine producer specializing in biodynamic wines aged in clay amphoras. The vineyard is located in Štajerska (Styria), near the border with Austria.
Where to Stay
Some selected places to stay near Štorija.
- Hotel Cubo - A high-end hotel located on Slovenska cesta in the center of Ljubljana.
- AS Boutique hotel - Located a short walk from Štorija, this highly rated boutique hotel sits near the city center in a charming courtyard. The rooftop terrace offers magnificent views over Ljubljana.
- Villas and apartments - Villas and apartments for rent in central Ljubljana.
Where to Eat
Here are some restaurants that focus on natural and organic wines.
- Aftr - A Michelin Guide-listed restaurant focusing on Mediterranean and Central European cuisine, often paired with natural wines. You can reserve your table here.
- Supernatural - Enjoy fresh market food and natural Slovenian wines at reasonable prices. A restaurant that matches Štorija well. The restaurant is located next to the Central Market. To reserve a table, call +386(0) 5 901 95 05.
- TaBar - A modern and creative restaurant located in the historic Rog bicycle factory not far from Štorija. It is featured in the Michelin Guide. You can reserve a table here.
