📍 Bizeljsko-Sremič

Bizeljsko-Sremič is a small wine district in south-eastern Slovenia, by the border with Croatia. It belongs to the Posavje area and stretches over hills between the Sava and Sotla rivers. The slopes are gentle, clay and marl, summers are warm, and autumn is long. Vineyards alternate with woods and small fields. The district is small, and settlements sit on the hill ridges, with views of the vineyards and the Sava valley.

A feature of the district is the “repnice”, old cellars dug into soft rock straight into the hillsides. It is always cool inside, and wine keeps at an even temperature. The cellars have become part of local culture, and many are open to visitors.

Among white grapes, Welschriesling (Laški Rizling in Slovene) grows here, and among reds Blaufränkisch (Modra Frankinja in Slovene). The district makes white, red and sparkling wines. The traditional wine of the district is called Bizeljčan. The district has a protected designation of origin. Estates are small, often family-run.

For comparison with its neighbours: to the north lies Podravje, to the west Dolenjska, and to the south across the border the hills of Croatia's Zagorje.