Vina Poljšak
Address: Gradišče 39a, 5271 Vipava, SlovenijaPhone:+386 41 441 001 (Samuel), +386 41 438 795 (Katja)Website: https://vinapoljsak.com/index_e.htmlContact: Samuel POLJŠAK 041/441-001, info@vinapoljsak.comOwners: Samuel and Katja PoljšakWinemaker: Samuel PoljšakRegional or single vineyard:Penina (sparkling wine), Zelen, Pinela, Sauvignon, Opus belo, Rumeni muškat; Harmonija rdeče, Cabernet SauvignonHectares: 5 haGrapes: Zelen, Pinela, Rebula, Malvazija, Poljšakica, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rumeni muškat; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Marselan, Carménère
Poljsak family have been making wine in Vipava since the middle of the 19th Century. Now entering a fifth generation the winery is situated below the family home. A new cellar was built in 1970s and has a natural spring running through it from within the mountainside it’s built upon. Some of their wines are produced in square, beeswax lined granite barrels from Italy that help soften and integrate their wines compared to stainless steel production.
The family have four vineyards located above the house, on higher, cooler, south facing slopes well above the floor of Vipava Valley. The site’s location is quite dynamic with air thermals rising and helping to ripen fruit, then cold air sinks at night preserving acidity. Wind blows away humidity and reducing rot and rain pressures, which ensures maximum ‘hang time’ for harvest.
Totaling 5 hectares, soils are a mixture of limestone and marl. Grape varieties are a mix of traditional local grapes, Zelen, Pinela, Rebula, Malvasia, Yellow Muscat, and internationals: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Carménère, and Marselan.
The winery and tasting room have a warm, homey, welcoming, family feel. Clearly the Poljsaks love music, as their branding is centered around musical instruments individually associated with each variety they bottle. As a long retired bassoonist I’m quite fond of their Cabernet.
Wine-maker Samuel Poljšak
Old Cellar with square granite and oak barrels
Owners, Katja and Samuel Poljšak, in front of natural spring inside cellar