NEWS
Important events since the establishment of the company.
DECEMBER 2024
SOLAR POWER PLANT INSTALLATION
Self-sufficient solar power plant.
OCTOBER 2024
VERUS SELECTED VINTAGE
Our approach and our daily care is to offer wine lovers the same quality every vintage. However, vintages cannot be exactly the same every year. Some stand out in such a way that they deserve special attention.
On the basis of the specific vintage weather conditions, the quality of the grapes produced and wine maturation in the bottle, we can select wines that deserve such attention. Thus, for the first bottlings of the “Selected vintage” series, we chose Furmint vintage 2021 and Pinot noir vintage 2018.
Furmint vintage 2021 is bottled in 0.75 l in 1.5 l magnum bottles, Pinot Noir 2018 is bottled in 1.5 l magnum bottles
DECEMBER 2023
NEW BRAND VISUAL IDENTITY
Renovation of the visual image of the brand Verus vineyards.
Agency Original
JULY 2022
WINE ASSOCIATION VINORODNA ŠTAJERSKA
The newly established wine association Združenje vinorodna Štajerska organized an event that included a visit by wine journalists to 28 wineries from Štajerska Slovenija winegrowing region, including ours.
MARCH 2020
PRESENTATION AT VINEXPO NEW YORK
In addition to our annual appearances at the Prowein and Vinitaly fairs, we decided to appear at the Vinexpo fair in New York.
AUGUST 2018
MOVING TO NEW WINERY
Moving a winery equipment is a demanding task.
Winery equipment was moved at the end of August immediately after the completion of construction works in the production part of new cellar.
Before the move, all non-bottled wines were bottled and transported in wooden pallets to new winery.
The harvest began the day after the electrical installation was connected.
APRIL 2018
NEWLY PLANTED VINEYARD
Newly planted two vineyards in Jeruzalem.
Altitude 340 m, SW and SE exposure.
Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
JANUARY - AUGUST 2018
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WINERY
JANUAR 2018
NEW WINERY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Construction started on January 3, 2018 and went without any complications. The contractor was Ksaver Vračko.
NOVEMBER 2017
BUILDING PERMIT
In November 2017, a building permit was issued for the construction of a new winery.
Preparation of the OPPN plan – Municipal Detailed Spatial Plan
Preparation of the PGD permit – Project for the building permit
Arrangement of financing
Tender for a EU subsidy
JANUARY 2017
NEWLY PLANTED VINEYARD
Newly planted vineyard at Jeruzalem village terraces. An excellent location at 340 m high, with airy, SE exposure. Variety Riesling.
JANUARY 2016
CONCEPT DESIGN FOR A NEW WINERY
Architect Jurij Oven.
JULY 2015
PURCHASE OF A PLOT FOR A NEW VINERY
Our time in the ‘bakery’ is coming to an end. The owner needed the space for himself and we had to move out. As there were no suitable buildings in the vicinity, we decided to build a new cellar. We were looking for a location that would be suitable and where it would be permitted to construct for quite some time. We then found it along a main road, not far from the current location, and we decided to make the purchase.
APRIL 2015
PAVLOVSKI VRH VINEYARD ESTABLISHMENT
With the renovation of the vineyard on Pavlovski vrh, we successfully completed a large investment that had started in 2012. On the excellent terrains of Jeruzalem, Brebovnik and Pavlovski vrh, we planted 7.5ha with 30,000 new vines. This provides us with an adequate amount as well as the highest-quality grapes, in addition to a basis for further development.
MAY 2013
PLANTING OF JERUZALEM VINEYARD
The vineyard renovation in Jerusalem is complete.
Sauvignon blanc, Furmint, Pinot Grir and Pinot Noir are planted.
A total of 13,500 vines in an excellent, vineyard site.
DECEMBER 2012
IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS
The year 2012 ended as a success. In addition to successful sales and a good harvest, we made some important investments: the purchase of vineyards and the start of their renovation, a new press and vineyard tractor.
SEPTEMBER 2012
FIRST BOTTLING OF PINOT NOIR
Vintage 2011
JUNIJ 2012
SALON JERUZALEM
Since 2003, we have been organizing a wine fair together with other winegrowers from the region. The excellently organized event with a rich programme attracts numerous wine enthusiasts from Slovenia and the neighbouring countries. We were visited by the President of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, who surprised us with his good knowledge of wines.
MAY 2011
PURCHASE OF AN EXCELLENT VINEYARD SITE
JERUZALEM, BREBROVNIK and PAVLOVSKi VRH
SEPTEMBER 2010
FIRST HARVEST OF PINOT NOIR
We believe that our region provides excellent conditions for growing white wines. But we had been contemplating planting red varieties for a number of years. After careful consideration we decided to go for Pinot Noir, as we are convinced that the right conditions in the vineyard and cellar could yield excellent results. We ordered grafted vines (clone 777) from Burgundy and planted them in the spring of 2009. In September 2010 were collected the first grapes off 2,000 vines and tested the technology of producing red wines. The 2010 vintage from the two-year-old vineyard is Verus’ first red wine. We produced 181 bottles which are now stored and are not for sale.
AUGUST 2010
NEW EQUIPMENT
Successful sales and an increase in production forced us to expand the wine cellar and update the equipment. We decided to buy new tanks and bottling equipment, which allow us to do even better work and do it more easily.
MAY 2010
VIEVINUM, VIENNA
VieVinum is the most important wine event in neighbouring Austria. It takes place every couple of years and this was our first appearance in the imperial palace. Our presentation was very successful. Among others, the owner of one of the best Austrian restaurants was very impressed and she made the first order for her restaurant Steierereck the very same day.
JULY 2009
PRESENTATION IN LONDON
On the initiative of Mark Hughes from The Real Wine Company, we organized a presentation of wines at Scott’s restaurant in London for the leading global wine media. We prepared a presentation on our work and the wines of our region, and presented our 2007 and 2008 vintages at dinner. An interesting debate was sparked and we received many compliments and the wine was praised. It was an educational and pleasant evening that we shall not forget. Luckily, Beni and Suna from the Original agency made an excellent video report of the event.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWdJHO6hw4c
MAY 2009
WINE FAIRS
Our appearances at fairs in Paris, Düsseldorf, Verona and London finally confirmed that we are on the right path. We had very successful presentations at all of them and found excellent partners from many different countries with which we began to create a successful and long-term collaboration. Our attendance of at least two of the most important wine fairs has become an annual activity.
JUNE 2008
PRESENTATION IN GENOA
On the initiative of the Slovenian wine connoisseur Tomaž Sršen, we took part in the presentation of wines in Genoa. The wines convinced many of the visitors. Among the visitors was also Mr Vittorio Zoppi who offered to collaborate with us. Soon we had concluded a representation agreement for the American and Italian market.
MAY 2008
JANCIS ROBINSON - WINE OF THE WEEK
Jancis Robinson tasted our wines and wrote about them on her website. Apart from the good reviews and descriptions of the wines, she also included a lengthy article by Angela Muir on her experience in Slovenia and our vineyards, our work and the creation of Verus. Her publication and good critique in such an important media constitutes an excellent reference for anyone. We felt it was a great acknowledgement and encouragement for our work to come.
www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/verus-furmint-2007-stajerska-slovenia
MARCH 2008
FIRST EXPORT
A friend of Mrs Angela Muir, Mr Mark Hughes from The Real Wine Company in London, came to visit us in Ormož and was fascinated by our landscape and wines. Before leaving, we agreed to work together and therefore succeeded in penetrating the toughest of wine markets.
FEBRUARY 2008
REGISTRATION OF THE TRADEMARK
VERUS VINOGRADI and VERUS VINEYARDS
The registration of both trademarks was published in the gazette of the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Newsletter No. 1/2008 dated 29.02.2008. With this, the registration valid in Slovenia, which is the basis for registering the trademarks in other countries.
DECEMBER 2007
FIRST BOTTLING
Cellaring in the new cellar was exciting and we were full of expectations for the birth of the Verus wine. Danilo’s expertise and meticulous work is a guarantee for exceptional wine. Together with friends and colleagues who came to visit us, we made sure that this was true at every stage in the wine-making process. At the beginning of December we bottled the first Sauvignon and Yellow Muscat. The very same day Danilo’s sister bought the first bottle of wine. Rajko had been busy working in sales the whole time. In addition to the numerous restaurants that were quickly convinced by the quality of our wine, we sent the first shipment of wine to Slovenia’s top wine distributor, Koželj d.o.o., on December 12th, 2007.
OCTOBER 2007
FIRST HARVEST - GREAT EXCITEMENT
We cultivated the grapes in our family vineyards. A part had been bought from friends and relatives who trusted us and believed in our approach and worked according to our guidelines the entire year. The 2007 vintage was a good one.
AUGUST 2007
ARRANGING AND EQUIPPING THE CELLAR
We had been looking for a suitable place for quite some time. The solution appeared after a chance encounter with Voljč Andrej, Božidar’s school friend and successful businessman who had bought an abandoned bakery in Ormož. As he did not need it for himself at the time, he offered to lease the building to us. Over the summer we cleaned the place and, in the autumn, we transformed it into a wine cellar. We already had some of the equipment from before, and we bought the rest using our savings and a bank loan. Everything was now ready for the harvest of 2007.
JUNE 2007
REGISTRATION OF THE COMPANY
The company was officially founded on June 6th, 2007 when we signed the articles of association at a notary in Ormož.
MAY 2007
CHOOSING THE BOTTLE AND CAP
In view of the similarity of the range of wines, the soil and climatic conditions, as well as the character of the wines, we chose a burgundy bottle. To protect against the loss of the excellent aromatic substances and to ensure the best aging of the wine, we decided to use a screw cap.
APRIL 2007
CHOOSING THE NAME
Choosing the name is always difficult. You cannot afford to make a mistake. We searched, thought and discussed it for a long time, finally deciding on the name Verus with Beni. In Latin, VERUS means real, true, honest.
Angela Muir recognized the essence of our brand right away and sent us a message, “Three friends have joined forces using their expertise and work to really make this wine a true expression of one of the best winegrowing regions in the world”. And added, “Dedicated to family tradition and friendship”.
MARCH 2007
A NEW BEGINNING
At the beginning of 2007, after months of contemplation, we decided to leave our jobs and start our own wine cellar. We joined our family vineyards, savings, some cellaring equipment as well as the expertise and experience we got from our parents, during our studies and through our work. We want to produce wine that best expresses the characteristics of the region, the variety and the vintage. When deciding to make a new start, the support and help of our families and friends, especially Angela Muir and Ivančič Beni, meant the world to us.
