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.

The vines here are planted on steep slopes with up to 30 to 40% inclines. These slopes help to optimise the benefit from the sun’s rays which therefore fall perpendicularly onto the vineyards. To avoid the dangers of winter and spring frosts, the vineyards are above an altitude of 250 m. The vines are planted on east, south and west facing sites, some on the classic terraces contouring the hills, and some vertically, as the trellises plunge down them. The northern hillsides are predominantly covered with forest, while, below the vineyards, the valley floors have orchards, fields and meadows.

In this diverse, dynamic and exceptionally picturesque landscape, we cultivate 25ha of vineyards in carefully selected sites known for generations by their traditional names: Jeruzalem, Kog, Litmerk, Stanovščak, Pavlovski vrh, Brebrovnik, Radomerščak, Gomila.

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.

VITICULTURE

All the vineyards are cultivated in an environmentally friendly way in accordance with the guidelines for sustainable farming.

We use a single Guyot pruning and training system to ensure adequate sunlight and air circulation throughout the canopy, balanced growth and a moderate yield of excellent quality.

On the steepest, most dynamic terrains there are terraced vineyards with 2,000 vines/ha. On terrains with an incline of less than 30%, the vineyards are planted vertically with 4,000 vines/ha.

The grapes are hand-picked. We select only the perfectly ripe and healthy grapes that are full of flavour. Undamaged, whole bunches are then chilled and transported to the cellar in small crates in an air-conditioned, temperature controlled vehicle.

The harvest is 6–8t/ha, 1.5–2.5kg/vine; depending on the vintage, variety and age of the vineyard.