One of the three wine-growing regions in Slovenia in the west of the country on the border with Italy. The name means "by the sea", although only a comparatively small part is actually on the Adriatic. Primorska stretches from the coastal area to the hilly hinterland and has a distinctly Mediterranean climate. The other two wine-growing regions are Podravje in the north-east and Posavje in the south along the border with Croatia.

Wine-growing areas

The region is divided into the four wine-growing areas of Goriška Brda (Gorizia Hills) with 1,992 hectares, Kras (Karst) with 753 hectares, Slovenska Istra (Slovenian Istria) with 2,331 hectares and Vipavska Dolina (Wippach Valley) with 3,005 hectares of vineyards. These form an extension of the Italian Carso and Collio Goriziano growing regions in Friuli, which have very similar geological and climatic conditions. The vineyards cover a total of 8,081 hectares.

Climate & soil

The climate is distinctly Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and an autumn that is often accompanied by heavy thunderstorms. Viticulture is also influenced by the cold north wind Bora, which mainly occurs in winter and spring and ensures that the vineyards are well ventilated. The soils are varied and range from calcareous marl (flysch) to sandstone and ferruginous soils in the karst. These geological conditions give the wines structure, minerality and freshness despite the warm climate.

Grape varieties & wines

Red and white wines are produced in equal parts, with white wine dominating in the other two Slovenian regions. Important red wine varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, as well as Refošk (Terrano). The latter variety is used to make the PTP quality wine Kras Teran in the Kras region, which grows on the iron-rich soil called Teran. This could perhaps be a successor to the ancient wine Pucinum mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23-79). A well-known quality white wine with protected origin is Vipavec. Important white wine varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sivi Pinot (Pinot Gris), Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Pinela (Pinella), Pikolit (Picolit), Vitovska and Zelen.

Producers

The Vinakoper winegrowers' co-operative on the Adriatic coast is one of the largest producers with around 500 hectares of vineyards. Other well-known producers include Guerila and Movia.

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