Podravje – The Homeland of Slovenian Sparkling Wine Penina and Aromatic Whites

Podravje, located in northeastern Slovenia along the Austrian and Hungarian borders, is the country's second-largest wine region, covering approximately 6,100 hectares. Named after the Drava River, this region is best known as the birthplace of Slovenian sparkling wine Penina, as well as for its refined aromatic whites and award-winning sweet wines.

​

The Sparkling Legacy: Traditional-Method Penina

​

Podravje proudly holds the title of Slovenia’s first sparkling wine region, with production dating back to 1852 in Gornja Radgona. Here, classical method (méthode traditionnelle) sparkling wines - often made from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Furmint (Šipon) - have become a defining feature of the region.

Gornja Radgona remains a hub for high-quality sparkling wine, continuing a tradition that now spans over 170 years.

​

Today, producers across Podravje, especially in Štajerska Slovenija, are refining their penina to match modern tastes: fresh, crisp, elegant bubbles that rival styles from more famous sparkling regions. These wines are celebrated for their finesse and are increasingly capturing attention on the international stage.

​

Wine Districts of Podravje

​

Podravje is divided into two wine-growing districts:

​

Štajerska Slovenija (Styrian Slovenia):

​

This is Slovenia’s largest wine district, known for its rolling hills, terraced vineyards, and long-standing winemaking culture. It's home to the oldest grapevine in the world (in Maribor) and the oldest preserved Slovenian wine bottle (from 1917, in Ptuj).

In addition to penina, this district produces the region’s signature crisp, dry white wines, often fermented in stainless steel and bottled under screwcap to preserve their aromatics. Leading varieties include:​

​

Šipon (Furmint) – a regional classic, used in both dry and sweet wines.

Sauvignon Blanc, Renski Rizling (Riesling), Pinot Gris (Sivi Pinot), Pinot Blanc (Beli Pinot), Gewürztraminer (Dišeči Traminec) – ideal for varietal wines.Laški Rizling (Welschriesling) – widely planted and used for blends or elegant sweet wines.

​

Prekmurje:

Located in the far northeast, this smaller district sits on the edge of the warm Pannonian Plain, creating wines that are often richer and more full-bodied.

Prekmurje is gaining recognition for Blaufränkisch (Modra Frankinja), now considered one of the best red wine varieties in Slovenia. While white grapes still dominate, the hilly areas of Goričko and Lendavske Gorice are proving excellent for both still and sparkling wine production.

​

Sweet Wines of Global Acclaim

​

Podravje is also Slovenia’s premier region for botrytized sweet wines, especially from Šipon, Renski Rizling, and Laški Rizling. These are crafted in the German Prädikat style, with classifications such as:

• Pozna trgatev (Spätlese)

• Izbor (Auslese)

• Jagodni izbor (Beerenauslese)

• Ledeno vino (Eiswein)

• Suhi jagodni izbor (Trockenbeerenauslese)

​

Diversity and Grape Heritage

​

Thanks to its cooler continental climate and rich winemaking history, Podravje cultivates an impressive range of varieties. In addition to the major grapes listed above, the region is home to:

Chardonnay, Modri Pinot (Pinot Noir), Blaufränkisch, Rumeni Muškat, Muškat Ottonel, Ranina (Bouvier), Rizvanec (Müller-Thurgau), Zeleni Silvanec (Sylvaner), Kerner, Portugalka, Kraljevina, Red and White Žlahtnina, Gamay, and Zweigelt.

​