When the vineyard speaks out in a glass of Rebula

"Nature speaks to the person who listens" Edi Simčič

There are not many wineries where the owner of the estate welcomes you. And even fewer where the owner’s last name matches the name of the winery. It is a special honour to be able to shake hands in the courtyard with the gentleman whose name and surname are on the wine label.

Upon our arrival, Edi Simčič is pottering around in the yard with his neighbour. It is always a pleasure to meet a legend, the man who started a successful story. The man who filled the first 3,000 bottles in 1989. In spite of his venerable age – he is 86 years old – he is still active. “He still drives a tractor,” laughs Aleks Simčič, his son, the brain and the engine of the estate.

Many things have changed here in recent months. A modern, decent size and nicely decorated tasting area was built in the yard, and the cellar is bigger too. “Work is much easier now; there’s more room,” mentions Aleks, while walking around the cellar. Wine only matures in wooden barrels in the cellar of Edi Simčič. There is no classic line with fresh wines.

The cellar is important, but the Simčič family has always focused more on the vineyards. Due to detailed monitoring of microclimate, soil, fertility, vine vigour and grape quality, the work in vineyards is continuously adjusted. For each vineyard separately. Careful observation has led to the realisation that Chardonnay grows particularly well in the Kozana vineyard. It is more full-bodied, while the wine is excellent and balanced. It was first bottled in 2005, and since then Chardonnay Kozana 2005 has acquired an almost mythical status among wine lovers.

“Concern for nature, observation of the vine and everything surrounding it, education, self-criticism, but especially respect towards our clients, are perhaps qualities that define us the most,” Aleks describes the winery.

The Simčič family does not rush. They take a step when they are certain of it. In 2019, after much consideration and not because it is fashionable, they issued a new series of wines based on individual vineyards: Rebula Fojana, Sauvignon Fojana and Merlot Kozana. You can be certain that wines from individual vineyards of Edi Simčič Wines are sufficient grounds for a visit and tasting of their premium wines.

Tasting area with a view

The tasting area is open, light, with modern furnishings and a nice view of Brda. "It happens that a colourful variety of people from Germany, South Korea, the United States, Slovenia ... a true Babylon, gathers here at the tasting area," laughs Aleks and pours wine into selected Riedel glasses.

“Our Rebula from the improved line is superb, but the one from Fojana site is even more focused, calmer, precise, more delicious,” Aleks is certain, and adds, “Wines from individual vineyards hold maximum honesty in them since they cannot be additionally regulated, unlike the wines from multiple vineyards. You know how it goes: one vineyard brings maturity, the second one freshness, the third structure. Wine from one vineyard uniquely reflects the origin, space, a piece of land.”

Tasting rooms can sometimes seem a bit strict or even uniformed, but at Edi Simčič Wines the space appears relaxed, almost club-like, friendly. This is mostly accredited to Martina Alma, who manages the public image of Edi Simčič Wines. Martina is also the manager of the luxury Alma Vista Villa, which is part of the Edi Simčič Estate.