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.
The nose opens with see breeze and saltiness paired with delicate white peach and lilies. It transfers us straight back to the shores of Istria. The palate is salty concentrated with nutty and creamy textures from the long lees contact. A perfect match for any seafood.
Winemaker | Uros Klabjan
Region | Istria, Slovenia
Variety | Malvasia
Viticulture | Organic certified
Soil | Karst Limestone, Clay and Marl
Altitude | 45 - 120 m
Age of the vines | 50 years
Bottles made | 8000 bottles
Vinification
The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in open vat fermenters for 4 days with the skins. Then the wines are transferred to stainless steel and concrete eggs with the lees to finish fermentation and age for 2 years.
2020 was a cold year that brings higher acidity to the wines resulting in a longer ageing potential. In years like this Uros likes to age the wines under flor - like Jura or Sherry style.
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.
The wine opens with an intense nose of primary black berried fruit, imagine tons of black current, black cherries and damson paired with freshly ground black pepper and pencil shaving. On the palate it has mouth coating concentration, round, smooth tannins and vey long finish with lifted acidity.
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 | 50 years
Bottles made | 7000 bottles
Vinification
The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in open vat fermenter for 2 weeks with gentle extraction. The wine ages in stainless steal for 24 months before bottling.
Full of black fruit, imagine current and damson jam, paired with tertiary aromas like chocolate and truffle. Tastes almost like an Amarone with much higher acidity and precise balance, smooth and velvety tannins, a wine with real power!
This and a fireplace are a match made in heaven.
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 de-stemmed and fermented in open vat fermenter for 4 weeks with gentle extraction. The wine ages in used Slavonian barrels for 3 years before bottling.
2011 was a colder year, slightly later ripening. Resulting in wines with more linear structure.
2016 warm and wet, challenging year, low yields exceptional quality. Wines are richer and more concentrated.