One of the three wine-growing regions in Slovenia in the east of the country on the borders with Austria(South Styria) and Hungary. The name means "Drauland". The region lies between the rivers Mura (Mur) and Drava (Drau) with the wine-growing centre of Maribor (Marburg). This town is home to a vine that is said to be 400 years old (see Žametovka). One of the most important Slovenian wine routes also begins in the old town centre. Podravje lies in the north-east of the country and borders the Posavje wine-growing region to the south. The third wine-growing region is Primorska in the west of the country on the border with Italy and on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Wine-growing regions

Podravje is divided into the two wine-growing regions of Stajerska Slovenija with 8,685 hectares (Haloze, Ljutomer-Ormoz, Maribor, Ptuj-Srednje Slovenske Gorice, Radgona-Kapela and Smarje-Virstanj) and Prekmurje with 965 hectares (Lendavske Gorice-Goricko). That is a total of 9,650 hectares. Interesting microclimate zones are located around the municipalities of Jeruzalem (Kog, Lahonci), Svecina (Witschen) on the Austrian border, Plitvicki near Radgona (Radkersburg) and Meranovo on Pohorje near Maribor. The Austrian Archduke Johann (1782-1859) once owned a large property in Meranovo. He had French oenologists create an experimental vineyard here.

Climate & soil

The climate is temperate continental with warm, sometimes dry summers and cold winters. The proximity to the Alps and the Pannonian Plain ensures significant temperature differences between day and night, which promotes the development of flavours. The mostly steep vineyards are characterised by marl, clay and sandy soils, some with calcareous subsoil. This combination favours fresh, acidic and aromatic white wines.

Grape varieties

The most important white wine varieties are Šipon (Furmint), Laski Rizling (Welschriesling), Renski Rizling (Riesling), Traminec (Traminer), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Sivi Pinot (Pinot Gris).

Wines

Most of the white wines produced here are similar in style to those from more northerly growing regions. A well-known wine from the region is the sparkling wine "Radgonska Penina" from Radgona. Radgonske Gorice is considered a model winery.

Map of wine-growing regions: by Agne27 from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link