KLABJAN
SLOVENIA | ISTRIA
Uros Klabjan cultivates vines in Istria, 20km south of Trieste, on the Slovenian side. The vineyards are located 3 km away from the Adriatic Sea near the Gulf of Trieste at an altitude of 45 to 120 meters above sea level.
Klabjan’s Malvasia and Refosco varieties are planted in a funnel-shaped valley that narrows down towards the Karst hill further away from the sea. The 50 years old vines benefit from a mixture of soils, limestone from the north and marl from the east.
The Mediterranean climate has an intense maritime influence. The Burja (Bora wind) moderates the diurnal temperature range and extends the growing season, which helps the un-grafted vines to achieve optimal ripeness
Due to the organic farming and the natural balance, irrigation is not necessary even during hotter vintages.
Uros applies the same techniques in the cellar and in the vineyards: no intervention. In order to preserve a pure expression of the fruit, the wines ferment spontaneously with a relatively short skin maceration.
Evocative of the Adriatic coast, this remarkable Malvasia opens with aromas of sea breeze, oyster shell and delicate white flowers, layered with white peach, preserved lemon and a gentle savoury nuttiness. The palate is concentrated yet beautifully poised, combining vibrant saline minerality with a creamy, textural richness built through extended lees ageing. Subtle notes of almond and a delicate flor influence add further complexity, leading to a long, mouthwatering finish that speaks unmistakably of Istria. Elegant, gastronomic and deeply distinctive, this is a wine made for the table—especially alongside fresh seafood.
Winemaker | Uros Klabjan
Region | Istria, Slovenia
Variety | Malvasia
Style | White
Viticulture | Organic certified
Soil | Karst Limestone, Clay and Marl
Altitude | 45 - 120 m
Age of the vines | 50 years
Bottles made | 8000 bottles
Vinification
After hand-harvesting, the grapes were destemmed and fermented in open-top vats with four days of skin contact, extracting gentle texture and aromatic complexity. The wine was then transferred to a combination of stainless steel tanks and concrete eggs, where fermentation finished and the wine matured on its fine lees for two years. The naturally cool 2021 vintage delivered exceptional acidity. This patient ageing lends remarkable savoury depth, creamy texture and complexity while preserving the wine's vibrant freshness and ageing potential.
Jumps out of a glass with rich notes of orange jam, apple compote and honeysuckle paired with marzipan and walnut. On the palate it shows round and creamy texture with smooth tannins and a lifting dash of pleasant acidity. To be served in larger glasses to let it express it self to the fullest.
Winemaker | Uros Klabjan
Region | Istria, Slovenia
Variety | Malvasia
Style | Orange
Viticulture | Organic certified
Soil | Karst Limestone, Clay and Marl
Altitude | 45 - 120 m
Age of the vines | 50 years
Bottles made | 2000 bottles
Vinification
The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in open vat fermenter for 4 days with the skins. Then the wines are transferred to used Slavonian barrels and concrete eggs with the lees to finish fermentation and age for 2 years.
2019 was a warm vintage resulting in more opulent aromas and bigger bodied wines
Pronounced aromatic nose of Jasmin and elderflower paired with candid orange peel and honeysuckle. Round complex and rich palate a real orange wine delight.
Winemaker | Uros Klabjan
Region | Istria, Slovenia
Variety | Muscat
Style | Orange
Viticulture | Organic certified
Soil | Karst Limestone, Clay and Marl
Altitude | 45 - 120 m
Age of the vines | 50 years
Bottles made | 800 bottles
Vinification
The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in open vat fermenter for 4 days with the skins. Then the wines are transferred to used Slavonian barrels with the lees to finish fermentation and age for 2 years.
Opulent yet precise, this Refosk opens with a deeply expressive nose of blackcurrant, black cherry and damson plum, lifted by accents of freshly cracked black pepper and a subtle graphite, pencil-shaving note. The palate is generous and mouth-filling, delivering impressive concentration wrapped in supple, polished tannins. Despite its depth and dark fruit intensity, the wine retains a striking sense of freshness, driven by vibrant acidity that carries through to a long, lifted, and elegant finish. Structured, harmonious and quietly powerful, it balances raw energy with refined control.
Winemaker | Uros Klabjan
Region | Istria, Slovenia
Variety | Refosk
Style | Red
Viticulture | Organic certified
Soil | Karst Limestone, Clay and Marl
Altitude | 45 - 120 m
Age of the vines | 50 years
Bottles made | 7000 bottles
Vinification
The grapes are carefully destemmed and fermented in open-top vats over two weeks, with gentle extraction to preserve aromatic purity and structure. The wine is then aged for 24 months in stainless steel, allowing it to evolve slowly while retaining clarity, tension and varietal definition. This reductive élevage enhances precision and freshness, resulting in a Refosk that is both powerful and finely detailed.
A monumental expression of old-vine Refosk, this is Uroš Klabjan’s most prestigious and age-worthy red—built from vines between 85 and 130 years old and shaped by a decade of evolution. Deep, dark and intensely layered, it opens with blackcurrant, damson plum and ripe cherry, unfolding into complex notes of bitter chocolate, truffle and dried herbs. Despite its power and concentration, the wine remains strikingly poised, carried by vibrant acidity and finely tuned, velvety tannins. The palate is dense yet lifted, reminiscent of an Amarone in depth, but with far greater precision and freshness. Long, savoury and profoundly satisfying, this is a wine made for slow moments and serious contemplation.
Winemaker | Uros Klabjan
Region | Istria, Slovenia
Variety | Refosk
Viticulture | Organic certified
Soil | Karst Limestone, Clay and Marl
Altitude | 45 - 120 m
Age of the vines | 85-130 years
Bottles made | 1000 bottles
Vinification
The grapes are carefully destemmed and fermented in open-top vats over four weeks with gentle extraction to preserve structure and aromatic depth. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for three years in used Slavonian oak barrels, allowing it to develop complexity while maintaining freshness and balance. The extended bottle ageing of this cuvée (approximately 10 years before release) brings remarkable tertiary depth and integration. The result is a wine of profound structure, savoury intensity and long ageing potential, shaped by both ancient vines and patient élevage.