Colliano Brda Cuvée Red 2021

Over the centuries, heroic winegrowers have tenaciously terraced the steep marly slopes below the little villages of the Goriška Brda region in Slovenia to plant their vines.  This is the enchanting westernmost region of Slovenia, nestled halfway between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Its rolling hills, stretching from the emerald Soča River to Friuli in Italy, are dotted with houses and farms. This unique land produces distinctly mineral wines, with a character only found in Slovenia’s Brda region.

Up until the end of World War II, when the Brda hills were split in two by the border between Yugoslavia and Italy, this area had known a special type of feudalism called the colonate system. Peasants cultivated small patches of land, and wine was only produced by 17 local castles owned by foreign nobility. The Goriška Brda Wine Cellar was established in 1957 as a cooperative, which is still fully owned by local wine growers. Preserving viticulture in Brda in all of its authenticity – among the vineyards grow fruit, olive and other trees. Thus, the cultural landscape remains varied and very hospitable. Traditional know-how is passed from the older generation to their daughters and sons, viticulture practices are done manually with great attention to natural cycles.

For Colliano estate bottled red, winemaker "Darinko Ribolica" has married three red varieties well known around the globe. With the softness of Merlot, blended with the fruity scent of Cabernet Franc, and finished with the body and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine awakens the palate and transports you to a charming memory of vine covered hills and warm nights. Aged in oak barrels, all three varietals merge to produce a complex, modern Slovenian style that is fresh, elegant and wildly delicious.

Made of 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, planted to marl-heavy terraced vineyards at 80-200 meters elevation. Vines are between 10-30 yrs old. 100% hand-harvested. Fermentation in stainless steel, and aged for 12 months in 60 hl wooden casks.