10 editor-picked estates growing Modri Pinot in Brda.
Where to taste Modri Pinot in Brda: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.
Kristančič family cellar at Ceglo with 25 hectares of vineyard straddling the Slovenian and Italian border, organic certified since 2004, fermented without added yeast and bottled unfiltered.
Tip: Tastings are by appointment: five wines at 40 euros a head or nine at 55 euros, both opening with the Puro sparkling.
Fifth-generation cellar above Medana working cru parcels the family has held since 1860. Marjan Simčič made his first vintage in 1988 and added the Opoka single-vineyard line in 2008.
Tip: The Opoka bottlings are named for the marl the vines sit on. Medana Jama is the Rebula parcel, planted between 37 and 73 years ago.
Plešivo cellar the Ščurek family traces to 1823, with a tasting room hung as a picture gallery. The range runs from the Rebula-based Up to the Stara Brajda old-vineyard blends and a Pikolit.
Tip: The cellar opens Wednesday to Friday from 14:00 and Saturday from 10:00, and is closed Sunday to Tuesday.
Ceglo estate farming 14 hectares and releasing about 55,000 bottles a year. Marko Skočaj took over in 1986 and put the Dolfo label, his grandfather's name, on the first bottles in 1989.
Tip: The cellar was built with its own tasting room, so visits happen where the wine is made rather than in a separate shop.
Biljana house that makes only traditional-method sparkling wine, from Cuvée Prestige and Brut Zero through Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs to the long-aged Status.
Tip: Guided cellar visits with a tasting run on Saturdays at 11:00 and 15:00 and take in two cellars; weekday tastings need arranging first.
Former Thurn-Taxis farm at Pristavo, now the Erzetič family's, farming 15 hectares of terraced marl. The Donna Regina traditional-method sparkling has been made since 1994.
Tip: The estate dates its winegrowing to 1767 and leans on the local trio of Rebula, Sauvignonasse and Malvazija.
The Ščurek family pour in a room hung with the paintings commissioned for their labels, working through the Up, Stara Brajda and Pikolit bottlings alongside a cellar walk.
Tip: Open Wednesday to Friday from 14:00 and Saturday from 10:00, closed Sunday to Tuesday, so plan mid-week afternoons.
Miran and Petra Sirk show two cellars and pour their traditional-method sparkling range, from Brut Zero and Blanc de Blancs through to the long-aged Status.
Tip: Saturday visits leave at 11:00 and 15:00; any other day has to be arranged in advance.
Tastings at the Kristančič family cellar on the border ridge at Ceglo, poured with house salami or prosciutto, cheese and olives. Booking is compulsory.
Tip: Tasting lunches and dinners with a cellar tour can be arranged separately, and bottles can be bought during the tasting.
Marko Skočaj built a tasting room into the new Dolfo cellar at Ceglo, so visits happen beside the tanks rather than in a separate shop.
Tip: The Dolfo name comes from Skočaj's grandfather, who gave it to the label when bottling started in 1989.