Pikasi Pinela

So, a few weeks ago, I crushed hard on the Piližota Babic and was telling you stories about jumping off cliffs into crystal clear water - being warm and floating in the Adriatic! So when our trip took us into Slovenia, I was a bit humdrum about it. Looking out on the scenery was like being home in Washington - it was green & lush with mountains~stunning and beautiful but too much like home. But something happened -  maybe because it felt like home - I don’t know exactly. What I do know is that I fell head-over-heals in love with Slovenia! It has such a special place in my heart and I quite literally want to move there!

Near the Italian port city of Trieste is the Vipava Valley. Literally, you can drive from Slovenia into Italy and back - you drive past the old guard stations but the gates are gone so you barely notice that you went from one country to another.

And in the Vipava Valley, the continental climate of the Alps collides with the more moderate mild Mediterranean climate from the Adriatic. Vineyards are located on steep, karst mountain tops, where the temperature is cooler and the soil contains mineral-rich marl, which makes it incredibly helpful in drainage of rainfall. The vineyards are often surrounded by forest and mountains - so untouched and pristine! the air here is so pure, it’s astonishing! And it is all the perfect conditions for these indigenous varietals so I am thankful for all the growers who are honoring the old ways and making such amazing wines.

Matic Rodica is a professional ballroom dancer who comes from this amazing place. Petr Stegovec has been a grower here. And Pikasi is a collaboration to bring these local varietals to life! The labels are drawn from photo’s of Matic dancing with his partner (in dance and in life). And thankfully, Petr and his family have helped to save this delicious varietal - Pinela!
Inspired by movement and lightness, Pikasi Pinela is a taste of crisp Adriatic wind dancing through the hills surrounding the Vipava Valley. Pikasi Pinela feels gentle yet electric. Full of life but mellow enough to drink all day long. Grown in steep vineyards where the temperature is a touch cooler and the soil is rich with minerals to feed and bolster the vines. Dry farmed and hand-harvested then spontaneously fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel before being aged on the lees for 6 to 11 months (depending on what the winemaker feels they need). It’s the perfect sipper for watching these incredible sunsets we’ve been having or just hanging outside being so glad that it’s still light out at 5pm!

You know I love all these incredible places - especially the ones that are outside of the more familiar wine regions - the overlooked or dismissed that remind and reward us. Magical places that boast such interesting climates, rich winemaking culture, and attention to indigenous varietals. 

GO TO SLOVENIA!!! Until then, drink the wine.  And come visit me when I move (LOL)!