PHOTO: We were greeted by a wine with a perfect score of 100 and genuine slutty hospitality

In the heart of Ormož, just beyond the national border, lies a vineyard cellar synonymous with quality and heritage. Puklavec Family Wines ranks among the largest and most successful wineries in Slovenia. Their story began over 90 years ago, and today their wines receive recognition at the most prestigious domestic and international tastings. The visit started at the company's headquarters, home to its wine library, tasting room, and wine cellar, where their award-winning wines are produced. “Our chief enologist will be right with you. Would you like some sparkling wine while you wait?” The initial offering was a sparkling wine from their exclusive Seven Numbers line, selected from the finest plots of their vineyards. Made using the classical method from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Šipon grapes, this mature sparkling wine refreshed the palate and sparked curiosity about what awaited during the tour of the cellar. This promising beginning quickly revealed that behind the top wines stands a century-old story. From the vision of 1934 to international successes, the origins of the cellar date back to 1934 when Martin Puklavec began his viticultural mission. He aimed to create world-class wines and share them with the world. This tradition was continued by his son Vladimir, who took over the leadership of the cellar in 2009. However, with taking over the business, he did not focus solely on wine; his vision extended to the future of the region. Under his leadership, more than 100 jobs were created in the local area, and the community began developing alongside the winery. Today, the company is led by Vladimir’s daughter, Tatjana, who continues the vision started by her grandfather, creating wines that tell stories of hard work and love for viticultural traditions. Puklavec Family Wines have achieved remarkable success in recent years both domestically and internationally. At the Vino Slovenija Gornja Radgona tasting, they have repeatedly received the title of Winemaker of the Year for the years 2014, 2016, 2018, and three times consecutively for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Internationally, they can boast the title of Best Producer for Slovenia. In 2024, they received this prestigious title at the international competition AWC Vienna, and in 2025, they earned it again at Mundus Vini. One of their latest achievements is achieving a perfect score of 100 points at the Vino Slovenija Gornja Radgona tasting. For the first time in the history of this tasting, a wine was awarded all possible points. It is an archival Laški Rizling, harvested in 1993. They are particularly proud that the same wine was also internationally recognized, receiving a platinum medal at the prestigious international competition Decanter, the highest possible achievement at that tasting. White wines are the heart of Styria, Slovenia. Luka Radiček, the main enologist at Puklavec Family Wines, explains that they produce 98% white wines from their 470 hectares of vineyards. In addition to still white wines, their range includes sparkling wines made using both the traditional and Charmat methods. The focus of Puklavec Family Wines is on grape varieties that thrive best in the Styrian region and have the greatest potential. Their vineyards include Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Laški Rizling, Renski Rizling, Sauvignon, and Riesling, as well as the local specialty Šipon. Most of the grape harvesting is still done manually. During the harvest season, around 120 people help to ensure timely picking. Mechanical harvesting is used in vineyards where the terrain allows. For plots designated for the highest quality lines, the grapes are strictly hand-picked, and they state that this practice will continue. The variety currently being produced the most is Sauvignon. Increasingly, however, the focus is shifting towards Šipon. Although it is not a Slovenian autochthonous grape, it has shown great potential and is gaining attention for its unique characteristics. The winery is committed to exploring and promoting this variety, highlighting its ability to adapt to the local terroir and deliver distinctive flavors. This dedication to innovation and tradition underscores their ongoing efforts to elevate the profile of Slovenian wines on both domestic and international stages.