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VINAKOPER

Smarska 1
SI-6000 Koper
Slovenia

Tel. + 386 66 33 733
Fax + 386 66 33 768

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A quality Slovene trademark

Right from the start, quality has been the focus of the development of our cellar. Grape production and care for wine in the Vinakoper cellar are based on respect for the 2,000-year tradition of wine-making in Istria while taking account of the achievements of the wine profession and modern wine-making technology. Vinakoper has been continuing and building on this tradition for more than 50 years.

The Koper wine-growing region has been richly endowed by nature with conditions which are almost ideal, not just for growing grapevines, but also for high-quality, so grapevines were probably grown in the pre-Roman period. A flysch, clay-bearing, sandy soil covers the whole region. The favourable climate means that all types of grape grow well everywhere. Each different location provides the wine with a different character.

Wine with a Mediterranean temperament

Red wine from Koper deserves special attention, since it is the only area in Slovenia with such good natural conditions for growing red varieties.

REFOSK, a thick, dark, almost black wine with hints of violet which can’t be found in any other wine-growing region, is a symbol of the lasting Istrian traditions. If red wines of the global format represent a real symphony of colours, scents and flavours, then Refosk is a hymn to wine, full of passion, enthusiasm and love. In 1996, we introduced two new types of Refosk intended for special occasions: SWEET REFOSK, produced from dried grapes, and SPARKLING REFOSK, prepared in the classic procedure of fermentation in bottles, something of a speciality among sparkling wines, since its freshness and liveliness abound with enthusiasm.

CABERNET and merlot are two world format red wines which are widely produced here. It could be said that Cabernet is the comparative advantage of the Koper wine region and of the Vinakoper cellar, allowing it to take part in global competition as an equal.

Capris is the ancient Latin name for the town of Koper, and the name is also used for three interesting wines which combine and supplement individual sorts: CAPRIS WHITE, representing all white sorts of this area, is a wine with an exotic, international taste suitable for various occasions; CAPRIS RED, representing an interesting synthesis of Bordeaux types. The balance of aroma and flavours earned it a gold medal in Bordeaux; CAPRIS SPARKLING, is the first real sparkling wine from the Koper wine region produced using the classic method of fermentation in bottles.

The wine is dominated by the most characteristic local white wine - malvazija - with Chardonnay added.

The dominant white wine is MALVAZIJA, an old domestic sort defined as Istrian Malvazija, which extends only to neighbouring regions in Italy and Croatia. These grapes are used by Vinakoper to produce a light, fragrant and fresh wine, and in certain locations also full, rich wines which age well in wooden barrels. In special years, a LATE HARVEST AND SELECTION is also produced.

CHARDONNAY was first planted in the Vinakoper vineyards in the seventies, demonstrating that it can develop the right character of this international wine. PINOT GRIS, a sort new to this region, has made itself at home. The tender yet rich scent gives it a very pleasant and individual character. The very first harvest from the pinot gris vineyards in Purisima were of sufficiently excellent quality to be rewarded in Bordeaux with a gold medal. RUMENI MUSCAT personifies the special features of wine-growing traditions in Istria, which was once celebrated for its Muscatel wines. We rediscovered it first as a low-alcohol sweet wine. In addition to the sweet wine, a semi-dry Muscatel, which goes well with selected food, is also produced.