Tilia Estate is a wine producer located in the village of Potoče, in the heart of the Vipava Valley. They proudly market themselves as the House of Pinots, reflecting their ambition to compete with the finest Pinot Noir producers. During our visit, we had a fantastic and very enjoyable wine tasting with the owner, Matjaž Lemut.
Vipava Valley
The Vipava Valley stretches from Italy’s Friuli region in the west to central Slovenia. To the north lies the Trnovo Forest Plateau, part of the Pre-Alps, while to the south is the Karst Plateau. The valley is an important route connecting Italy with central Europe.
The Vipava Valley enjoys a sub-Mediterranean climate, thanks to its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, while its closeness to the Alps also leaves a strong mark. The valley experiences a constant interplay of winds: mild breezes from the sea and the cold, gusty Burja (Bora) descending from the mountains, particularly during the colder months. It is a continual battle of elements.
The valley’s climate is exceptionally well-suited for wine production, which is why many of Slovenia’s most important wine producers are based in the Vipava Valley. Several wineries have chosen to focus on Pinot Noir, as the climate provides ideal conditions for this grape. In addition to Pinot Noir, the valley is known for wines made from the indigenous white grapes Pinela and Zelen. Other red varieties grown here include Merlot, Barbera, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our visit to Tilia
The easiest way to reach the Vipava Valley from Ljubljana is to take the A1 motorway toward Koper and then, at Razdrto, exit onto the E70 motorway, which leads down into the valley. The distance is approximately 85 km, and the drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
We were warmly welcomed by the winery owner, Matjaž Lemut, who spent plenty of time with us. We had the opportunity to taste most of the wines as well as their grappa. A true enthusiast, Matjaž clearly embodies the passion required to run a winery at this level—no easy feat in such a demanding business.
To visit Tilia Estate, you can visit their website, call +386(0) 5 364 66 84 or email them at info@tiliaestate.si.
Wines we Tasted
Over the years, we have had the pleasure of tasting many wines from Tilia. Here is a list of the wines we have tried. We tend to prefer slightly fuller-bodied red wines, but, of course, there is no absolute truth when it comes to judging wine—it always comes down to personal preference. For lovers of Pinot Noir, Tilia is an excellent producer, capable of competing with some of the best in the world.
- Rubido 2015 & 2017 – Aged for 16 months in Slavonian and French oak barrels. Blend based on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet grape is prominent but the wine also has typical characteristics from the Vipava Valley such as tannins and acidity. Hints of cherry, tobacco and vanilla.
- Pinot Noir 2018 - A young Pinot Noir aged for 4 months. Hints of cherry, strawberry, a touch of tobacco and a bit of earthy character. Good balance and maturity.
- White Label 2016 - Fruit-driven with noticeable tannins. A slightly odd Pinot Noir considering the fruit and tannins.
- Estate 2017 - Aged for 16 months in Slavonian and French oak barrels. Hints of spices and fruit. Light smokiness.
- Merljaki Pinot Noir 2016 - Aged for 14 months in Slavonian and French oak barrels. Hints of strawberries, spices and smoke. Lasting taste.
- Nostra 2018 - A white blend made from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Hints of flowers.
- Sauvignon 2018 - A Sauvignon (not Sauvignon Blanc) with hints of elderflower and fruit. Some bitterness in the finish.
- Pinot Gris 2018 - A young wine aged in steel tanks for four months before bottling. Hints of grapefruit, honeydew melon, minerals, pear and lime. Pleasant and easy to drink like many other Pinot Gris wines. Excellent for drinking as is or matching with Mediterranean food.
- Zelen 2018 - The Zelen grape is a special white grape that originates from the area. The wine has hints of green herbs and grass. Goes well with Mediterranean food.
Other Wine Producers in the Area
Below are some wine producers whose wines we have enjoyed but have not yet had the opportunity to visit.
- Lavrenčič - A well-regarded wine producer located in the village of Duplje in the Vipava Valley. To book a visit, email them at info@lavrencic-estate.com or call +386(0) 41 695 301.
- Guerila - A wine producer specializing in biodynamic wines. If you would like to try their wines, you can submit a tasting request via their website.
- Batič - A producer of high-quality wines located in Šempas in the Vipava Valley. This is a winery the blog particularly enjoys. Visits can be booked via their website.
- Burja - A well-known wine producer located in the village of Podnanos. Visits can be booked through their website.
Where to Stay
There are many places to stay in the Vipava Valley, including several wineries where you can combine accommodation with wine tasting.
- Dam Boutique hotel - A high-quality boutique hotel located in Nova Gorica, right on the border with Italy.
- [Guerila Apartments](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1957442&hl=en-us&hid=8444392"Book room") - Stay at the Guerila winery and combine your accommodation with a wine tasting experience.
- Boutique Rooms & Winery Žorž - Enjoy picturesque accommodation combined with a wine tasting experience.
- Estate Rouna - A winery offering apartments, allowing you to enjoy both accommodation and wine tasting in one package.
- Tranquil Escape - Rent an apartment in the charming village of Goče.
- Villas and apartents - Villas and apartments for rent.
Where to Eat
In addition to its wines, the gastronomy of the Vipava Valley is exceptional. Below is a selection of places where you can indulge your taste buds.
- Gostilna pri Lojzetu - A one-star Michelin restaurant located at Dvorec Zemono, just outside the town of Vipava. The restaurant is run by Tomaž Kavčič, one of Slovenia’s most respected chefs, and offers a blend of traditional and modern cuisine. Reservations can be made on their website.
- Dam - Another one-star Michelin restaurant, located in Nova Gorica right on the border with Italy. The restaurant serves modern cuisine and is run by chef Uroš Fakuč. Reservations can be made by calling +386(0) 5 333 11 47.
- Cejkotova Homestead - Visit this homestead for an extraordinary culinary experience. You can read more in our blog post about the place.
