Winemaker: David Bratoz
Where: Vipavska, Slovenia
Size: less than 3000 bottles, family vineyards
Main Varieties: Zelen, Rebula & Lazki Riesling
Viticulture: Meticulous, hands off agriculture
Quick note: Among the smallest wineries in Slovenia with 3000 bottles yearly. Passion project of David. Artisanal - Organic - Low-intervention. Really approachable and energetic wines!
As with many of our winemakers - we were introduced to this winery via word of mouth. Our friend Boris Novak, is an absolute legend in Slovenia, and told us David’s wines were worth it! Boris’ cellar alone is a thrill, not to mention his depth of knowledge in the central and eastern European wine world. So when he mentioned Rogovila as an excellent example of Slovenian wine making we were eager to taste.
In our attempt to get information before tasting the wines, we found there was absolutely nothing online to read through! These wines are the darling and work of David Bratoz, a self-styled hobby winemaker - and has a tiny production of around 3,000 bottles. However, a winemaker since 1999, he has obviously learned some tricks in the ensuing years. His passion for viticulture on a small scale and creating true low intervention, natural wines has led to his bottles being highly sought after.
Located in the Vipava Valley, on the southwestern part of Slovenia, they are nearer to Trieste than Ljubljana and are known as a region where the alps meet the Mediterranean. High rainfall, quite fertile soils and a long history of winemaking has made this region famous for indigenous grape varieties alongside some modern introductions. David’s small vineyards are worked with not much soil work, organic and natural teas, hand harvest, and therefore the wines are worked with minimum or no SO2, with some maceration of whites as is traditional in the area - between 7-14 days. Wines are left in barrels for ageing and bottled unfiltered.
We have been absolutely charmed by these wines, as while they are low-intervention and in many ways a traditional winemaking style, they are by no means outmoded or rustic, instead giving pleasant fruits, well integrated tannins and beautiful balance overall. Very interesting little slice of land, wine and people that we are proud to represent.
