Right at the entrance to Radovljica’s old town, you will find Vinoteka Sodček (The Barrel Wine Bar). Here, you can enjoy and buy wines from all over Slovenia. In our opinion, it is one of the best wine bars in the Gorenjska region, if not the best. One of its great advantages is that you can both taste and buy the wines in the same place. During the summer months, it is a popular spot among tourists visiting the area, but it is also well frequented by locals.
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The Wine Bar
In summer, the wine bar has a large outdoor seating area that extends quite a way around the roundabout right outside. Despite its size, the terrace is often packed with tourists when the weather is nice.
Just inside the entrance, there is a wine bar with additional seating, which is mainly used during the colder months of the year. At the back of the premises, there is also a separate room for wine tastings, which is ideal for larger groups.
The wine bar offers just over 20 red wines and just over 20 white wines by the glass, as well as a few sparkling wines. The same wines can also be ordered by the bottle. The selection includes both young and aged wines, with all of Slovenia’s wine-growing regions represented.
Slovenia’s wine production is highly diverse due to the country’s significant geographical and climatic variations. This makes Vinoteka Sodček a great place to sample a wide range of wine styles in one location. Further down in this blog post, you will find a list of some of the wine producers and wines available at the bar.
The staff are very knowledgeable about the wines and are happy to help you choose one that suits your taste. The wine tastings include some more familiar wines that are not particularly challenging. However, we recommend venturing further and trying some of the more distinctive Slovenian wines. For example, there are some fantastic natural and orange wines to choose from.
The main difference between white and orange wines lies in the fermentation process. With orange wines, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice, just as they are when making red wine. This gives the wines more body, colour and tannins.
In addition to wine, the bar offers platters featuring Karst prosciutto, local cheeses, olives and olive oil. You can also choose from several wine-tasting options, featuring 3, 5, 7 or 10 different wines from various parts of Slovenia. Prices range from €21 to €30, depending on the number of wines included.
The Wines
At the time of writing, there are 3 rosé wines, 9 young reds, 11 mature reds, 4 sparkling wines, 11 young whites and 11 mature whites available to order by the glass or bottle. Some of the mature white wines are orange wines – a style in which Slovenia excels.
Here are some of the best-known Slovenian wine producers whose wines can be sampled at Vinoteka Sodček.
- Batič - Located in the Vipava Valley, this winery specializes in organic wines. The blog especially enjoys their Angel Grand Cuvée.
- Kristančič - Another well-known wine producer from Goriška Brda. The blog particularly enjoys their red wines, especially their Merlot.
- Domaine Slapšak - One of Slovenia’s top producers of sparkling wines, located in the Dolenjska region. You can read more about the winery in our blog post about the winery.
- Erzetič - Another well-known wine producer from Goriška Brda. The blog especially recommends their Pinot Gris, which makes a fantastic everyday wine.
- Verus - A large producer of mainly white wines, as well as Pinot Noir, located near the Croatian and Hungarian borders. Some of their wines can even be found in Sweden, where we live.
- Dveri-Pax – A wine producer located in the Podravje region, between Maribor and the Austrian border. Most of its production consists of white wines, although it also produces some red wines. The wines share many similarities with Austrian wines.
- Kobal – Located in the town of Ptuj, southeast of Maribor and not far from the Croatian border. The producer primarily makes white wines typical of the region, which share many similarities with Austrian wines.
- Ščurek – Located in Goriška Brda, not far from the Italian border. The wine portfolio includes wines made from local grape varieties, such as Rebula (Ribolla Gialla) and Malvazija, as well as international varieties.
- Jakončič – Another excellent wine producer from Goriška Brda, based in the village of Dobrovo. Its range includes sparkling, white and red wines.
- Prinčič – A producer of natural wines in Goriška Brda. Production is small-scale and distinctive, featuring, among other things, orange wines, which are something of a Slovenian speciality.
- Fornazarič – This producer is located in the Vipava Valley, not far from Nova Gorica. We particularly like their Rubino, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in oak barrels for two years. After ageing, a small amount of wine made from dried grapes is added, giving the wine greater intensity.
- [Gordia]( “More info”) – Located in Slovenian Istria, not far from the town of Ankaran and the Italian border. The focus is on natural wines and local grape varieties. Naturally, you will also find orange wines here.
The Wine Shop
The wine shop is located at the back of the premises, offering the same wines available in the wine bar, along with a much wider selection. The shelves are organised by wine region, although the vast majority of the wines come from Goriška Brda and the Vipava Valley. There is also a smaller section featuring wines from northeastern Slovenia, as well as a dedicated shelf for sparkling wines.
Where to Stay
During the summer months, Radovljica attracts many tourists due to its proximity to Bled. However, it is not a typical tourist resort, so there are no large hotels. Instead, you will find numerous small boutique hotels and rooms for rent.
- Arthouse Radovljica - Run by an older couple who are also involved in art and culture, this large house in the old town offers a unique cultural experience that blends perfectly with its historic surroundings.
- Hiša Linhart - A one‑star Michelin restaurant where you can also stay for a few nights. It is located in the old town.
- Kunstelj 1873 - An inn just outside the old town, offering beautiful views of the Sava River Valley and the Julian Alps.
- Villas and apartments - Thanks to Radovljica’s proximity to Bled, you can find many villas, apartments, and rooms for rent.
