Burja

Primož Lavrenčič is undoubtedly one of the best wine makers in Slovenia. After many years in the family winery, he started his own project, Burja, named after the strong wind that blows through the Vipava Valley. He works with only local grapes, such as Malvazija, Zelen and Rebula, with the exception of Pinot Noir, his great passion. His approach is based on natural balance and in minimizing the human intervention as much as possible. In his own words, in the cellar he is “only controlling temperature and oxidation, everything else I’m only monitoring”.

Zelen

Aromatic, with notes of white flowers, green apple, grapefruit and lemon. Intensely mineral, with a racy, saline edge.

The variety takes its name from the Slovenian word for ‘green’, as the must has a distinct emerald tinge. Macerated with skins for two days before fermentation.

Quick Facts

APPELLATION: ZGP Vipavska Dolina
VINTAGE: 2023
STYLE: white
GRAPE: zelen
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: concrete
MATURATION: concrete
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 11.5%
CASE SIZE: 12

Bela

Aromas of white peach, honey and toast. The palate is full and generous, with fresh apricot and pear fruit and nervy acidity. Restrained and refined, right down to the long finish, which shows a touch of phenolics from the skin contact.

This is a field blend of about a third each Istrian malvasia, rebula and lazki rizling, with a sprinkling of other varieties. After crushing, the must is macerated with the skins for 8 days at a low temperature, which gives Primož control over the extraction. The result is an orange wine with balance and finesse.

Quick Facts

APPELLATION: ZGP Vipavska Dolina
VINTAGE: 2022
STYLE: white
GRAPES: istrian malvazija, rebula (ribolla gialla), laski rizling, 10% other varieties
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: concrete
MATURATION: oak
FILTRATION: unfiltered
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CASE SIZE: 6

Grašica

The grapes for Grasica come from a young vineyard on the estate, with vines aged between 5 and 10 years. The best quality is achieved through hand harvesting and a very low yield of only 1 kg per vine. Like all wines from the winery, Grasica is an unfiltered natural wine. The wine spends 10 days on the skins and matures for 12 months in oak barrels.

Quick Facts

APPELLATION: ZGP Vipavska Dolina
VINTAGE: 2024
STYLE: white
GRAPE: Laški Rizling (Welschriesling)
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 13%
CASE SIZE: 12

Stranpoti

Burja’s nod to the valley’s long tradition of skin-contact whites. Smooth and salty, with peach and white tea. One retailer describes it as 100% Malvasia from flysch soils, fermented with native yeasts and handled with minimal intervention.

Quick Facts

APPELLATION: [Vipavska Dolina]
VINTAGE: 2023
STYLE: orange
GRAPES: malvazija.
FARMING: biodynamic
FERMENTATION: concrete
MATURATION: concrete
FILTRATION: unfiltered
VEGAN: yes
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CASE SIZE: 6

Noir

Intoxicating nose of raspberry, cherry and violet, which continue onto the palate with a bright a juicy attack. This is a powerfully-structured pinot noir, balancing brawn with delicate mineral and herb notes.

Quick Facts

APPELLATION: ZGP Vipavska Dolina
VINTAGE: 2022
STYLE: red
GRAPE: pinot noir
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: concrete
MATURATION: oak
FILTRATION: unfiltered
ALCOHOL: 14%
CASE SIZE: 6

Reddo

Deep, mouth-staining notes of pomegranate, plum and black cherry, hints of earth, graphite and smoke and elegant touches of violet combine harmoniously in this elegant, well-structured, joyful red.

A blend of pokalca, modri frankinje and refošk, all varieties that were considered locally to be too humble to make quality wine. With his thoughtful approach to traditional methods, Primosz proves the opposite is true.

Quick Facts

APPELLATION: ZGP Vipavska Dolina
VINTAGE: 2022
STYLE: red
GRAPES: pokalca (schioppettino), modri frankinje (blaufränkisch), refošk (refosco)
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: concrete
MATURATION: oak
FILTRATION: unfiltered
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CASE SIZE: 6