10 facts to know about Posavje - Penina wine region in Slovenia

1️⃣ Location: Southeastern Slovenia, along the Sava River and Croatian border

Posavje covers around 2,400 hectares of vines across three districts: Dolenjska, Bizeljsko-Sremič, and Bela Krajina

2️⃣ Climate: Moderate-to-cool continental, with warming from the Pannonian Plain and cooling from the Alps

3️⃣ Topography: Hilly terrain with varied elevations, vineyard cottages (“zidanice”), and river valleys create diverse mesoclimates

4️⃣ Soils: Marl, sandstone, dolomite, and limestone dominate, with well-drained slopes

5️⃣ Sparkling Tradition: In Bizeljsko–Sremič, Penina has been made for generations with local grape Rumeni Plavec prized for its high acidity. Traditional-method production with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is also growing fast

6️⃣ Unique Cellars: “Repnice” – historic underground sand caves once used for food storage, now repurposed for aging Penina and hosting tastings in one of Slovenia’s most atmospheric wine settings

7️⃣ Dolenjska’s Sparkling Rise: Slovenia’s coolest wine district is now producing refined Penina using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and native Žametovka - one of the world’s oldest grape varieties

8️⃣ Diverse Styles: From crisp sparkling rosés and Blanc de Noirs to vibrant reds like Cviček and noble sweet wines from Bela Krajina, Posavje is a region of contrast and creativity

9️⃣ Key Grapes for Penina in Posavje:

✅ Chardonnay

✅ Pinot Noir (Modri Pinot)

✅ Rumeni Plavec

✅ Žametovka

🔟 Wine Style: Penina made with native Rumeni Plavec grape can create really bright first impression about this region: refreshing, with vibrant acidity and crisp finish.

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