VINEYARDS
Verus vineyards are located in eastern Slovenia, in the winegrowing region of Styria. They extend between the rivers Drava and Mura, and the towns of Ormož and Ljutomer, between 46° 24’ and 46° 31’ N and 16° 05’ and 16° 19’ E.
VINEYARD SITE SELECTION
Štajerska Slovenija’s winegrowing sub-district LJUTOMER – ORMOŽ is known for its large concentration of excellent vineyard sites. The most recognizable are the terraces around the village of Jeruzalem. We grow grapes on 30 ha of the best vineyard locations in the area. Villages and sites:
JERUZALEM: 341 m asl; 19.8 ha; Sauvignon, Furmint, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
BREBROVNIK: 320 m asl; 3.2 ha; Sauvignon Blanc
LITMERK: 331 m asl; 2.4 ha, Sauvignon Blanc, Yellow Muscat, Chardonnay
KOG: 321 m asl; 2.5 ha; Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay
IVANJKOVCI: 311 m asl; 2.5 ha; Sauvignon Blanc, Furmint, Riesling, Pinot Noir
PAVLOVSKI VRH: 290 m asl; 2.8 ha; Sauvignon, Yellow Muscat
RADOMERJE: 311 m asl; 0.8 ha; Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris
CLIMATE
This whole region has a temperate climate. The close vicinity of the Pannonian Plain and the Alps, as well as the influence of the Adriatic Sea, all have a profound influence on the weather.
All the seasons are characterized by intermittent warm and cold as well as wet and dry periods. Cold winters bring with them the risk of frost, while hot summers with frequent storms carry the risk of hail.
The number of sunny, windy days and cold nights during the ripening period significantly affect the character of the wine.
The average annual temperature is between 9 and 10oC. The sun shines 2,600–2,800 hours per year (the number of hours of sunshine over 120W/m2). On average, there is 900 to 1,000mm of rainfall per year, of this, 550 mm in the growth period (from April to September).
Flowering usually begins in early June. The harvest usually takes place from the second half of September to mid October.
SOIL
Grey marl and limey sandstone prevail in the vineyards. The bedrock is composed of tertiary soft carbonate rock from the Pliocene and Miocene era.
Soils are diverse, ranging from light to moderately heavy; on the peaks and slopes the ground is most frequently sandy and light, while in the lower-lying and flatter terrains it is loamy with a lot of clay particles.
The vines are usually on the lighter, well drained, poorer topsoils.
To avoid erosion and to facilitate cultivation, all the vineyards are grass covered.
SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE
We cultivate all vineyards in a nature-friendly manner in accordance with the EU sustainable viticulture guidelines, which is controlled by an accredited Slovenian institution.
PERMANENT NATURAL GRASS COVER on steep slopes prevents erosion, makes it easier to work with machines, and provides an excellent growing conditions for vines, which do not need fertilizing when grown with moderate, quality oriented yield per vine.
SINGLE GUYOT pruning system provides good sunlight, airiness within the grapevine canopy trellis, balanced growth and moderate yield of excellent quality.
SELECTING THE VINEYARD PLANTING SYSTEM is depending on the inclination and ruggedness of the terrain. On the steepest and most rugged slopes with inclination above 30%, vineyards are planted on terraces with planting density of 2.000 vines/ha. On slopes with inclination below 30%, the vineyards are planted vertically with 4.000 vines/ha.
HAND HARVEST: We select perfectly ripe and healthy grapes with full flavor. We bring it chilled and undamaged to the cellar in small crates of 12 kg in an air-conditioned vehicle.
AVERAGE YIELD PER HECTAR: app. 6 – 8 t/ha, or more accurately 1,5 – 2,5 kg/vine. Yield per hectare depends also on the vintage, variety and age of the vineyard.
