KRAS – the identity of the territory

karst region

Identity of the territory

Terroir is a term that refers to more than just the interplay of factors typical of the area where the wine is produced, such as terrain, climate and tradition. But that's not all that gives wine its character. We are the people who cultivate the soil, from which race the vines come. Our cellars are where the wine develops its flavor. And it is the winemaker who, with his philosophy and understanding of the terroir, connects all these factors together in a glass of wine of unique quality.

KARST

Wild rocky landscape,
that takes your breath away

The character of our wine is undoubtedly influenced by the wonderfully diverse Karst where we produce it. This limestone plateau, which proudly stretches between the Gulf of Trieste, the Vipava Valley, Brkini and the Soča Valley, feels wild and homey at the same time. It will surprise you at every step: with mysterious karst caves, with pine trees swaying in the wind, with picturesque autumn rushes and a rich cultural heritage.

The breath-taking rocky landscape is covered with fertile red earth called terra rossa. It has been in the making for millions and millions, which has given it a large amount of iron oxides and minerals. This is where the soil gets its characteristic red colour and consequently its name.

Another characteristic of karst is its limestone ground, which causes rainwater to drain quickly into cracks. Therefore, there are no river flows here, and the soil is quite shallow.

It is very important that the winemaker understands all the above factors and thus properly prepares the ground for planting vines.. This gives his vineyards the best possible conditions for growth. The vines of an experienced winemaker will develop strong roots and will cope more easily with drought, which of course affects the quality of the wine.

the climate

Warm Mediterranean
and the cold bora wind

Every winemaker who wants to make top-quality wine must know the microclimate in their vineyards, as this allows the production of the highest quality grapes. We are proud to say that we understand the specifics of the climate in our area in detail.

The growth of our vines is influenced by the warm, mild sub-Mediterranean climate.The proximity of the warm Mediterranean ensures that it is never too cold in winter and never too hot in summer. The sunrays are usually there to warm us up, as the Karst is characterized by a high number of sunny days.

A cold, gusty and dry bora drives the clouds away and brings fresh air and nice weather to our vineyards. We are especially happy when bora comes in the growth period of the vine, as it dries the air and thus prevents disease. When it appears during the harvest, however, it allows us to dry the grapes to produce unique dessert wines.

The karst climate gives the vine a lot of light, heat, and water during the growing season. During the dormant period, however, the air cools down enough to allow the vines to rest peacefully. All this is the key to the healthy growth of the vine, and it gives us the opportunity to produce top quality grapes.

terrain

Tradition that carries Teran and Vitovska grganja in its heart

They say you can’t find any other wine that contains more earth than Teran. Terra rossa, this fertile red soil, gives our wine its weight. Terra rossa It leaves an imprint of its soul in a glass of wine.

Teran derives its signature taste from this extremely rich karst soil, full of silicates and iron, and contains a large proportion of lactic acid compared to other wines.

Since the Roman times, wine production in the Karst has been famous around the world. In the 16th century, Teran had a very special role in the market. Due to its desirability, it was even considered as a means of payment. This autochthonous variety of red wine, which is produced from the Refosco vine, was also enjoyed in faraway Vienna, where it was used to treat anaemia, and it was even sold in pharmacies.

In addition to Teran, there’s another selected variety of wine that is intertwined with the Karst tradition: Vitovska grganja. This is a variety that requires special attention in the vineyard and is very suitable for maceration because of its thick skin.

Although the Karst is the perfect place to produce this wine due to its unique natural features, in the past Vitovska grganja has not been given the opportunity it deserves. But gradually, more and more winemakers became aware of the benefits of this special variety of wine. This excellent wine, which embodies our territory with its unique character, is now a synonym for the Karst.

It begins and ends with the winemaker and his love for the vineyard

Everything that ends up in a glass of wine, first begins in the vineyard. And the vineyard is taken care by the loving hands of the winemaker.

At Renčel Winery, we take care of the health, resilience, and harmony of our vineyard with as much biodiversity as possible. Our vineyards are therefore a part of a natural ecosystem, with all its microbiological, plant and animal components, and spontaneously planted with grass. We strive to ensure that our vines feed from the soil that contain as much organic matter as possible.

Our vineyards are placed at an altitude of between 270 and 310 meters, positioned in a north-south direction, which ensures the most optimal sunlight for their growth. In addition to the autochthonous varieties Vitovska grganja and Teran, we also grow Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Malvasia.

We mostly cultivate with a method called single guyot. Due to the interventions that we regularly use (thinning the crop and regulating the leaf mass), our grapes grow even better, as this allows them to ripen optimally. Every September and October, we harvest the grapes with our own hands and produce as much as four tons per hectare.