Zelen is the most famous indigenous variety of Vipavska dolina, which due to limited supply is still hard to come by. It is produced according to the old Vipava method that requires the initial phase of vinification be carried out in open containers and only later moved to large closed barrels. Our wine cellar is one of the rare few that age the Zelen variety in large oak barrels. This bestowes a high degree of complexity and herbaceous character on the wine. It is ideal for culinary feasts. Light-yellow colour with intense shades of green . The bouquet reminds of the Christian thurible, dry apricots and Mediterranean herbs. There is a note of minerality of wet granite. On the palate, Zelen is dry and oily, with a long aftertaste. It is suitable for immediate consumption, or further ageing for up to five years.

Origin: Stanjel, Vipava Valley, Slovenia
ABV: 0.13
USNW Classification: Natural
Varietal & Type: Zelen
Vintage: 2021

Tasting Notes

Christian thurible, dry apricots and Mediterranean herbs.

Vineyards

Estate

About the Winemaker

Fedora Wines devote a lot of time and energy to the preservation and restoration of old vineyard locations which during the last 50 years have been left neglected in favour of cheaper and less work-intensive ones. They believe that to produce exceptional wine, exceptional effort is required. There are no shortcuts in winemaking. Pinella, Zelen, Vitovska Grganja, Ošip, ?edajc, Pokalca, Ribolla, Refosco, Picolit. Fedora is dedicated to the preservation of the old Primorska varieties which have been growing on their soil for centuries. They grow scions and plant them on suitable locations. Zelen, Pinella, and Refosco are already bottled, the rest are coming soon. The ideal conditions for uncompromising wines are guaranteed by more than one hundred southerly and south-easterly terraces with altitudes between 200 and 350 metres, constant winds, and an exceptional combination of marl, clay and limestone. Fedora wines reflects the unique microenvironment and embody fruitiness as well as mineral qualities. Average temperatures are slightly lower than in Vipavska dolina. The vines are grown on southerly and easterly slopes, receiving plenty of sun and constant vortices of opposing bora from Karst and Vipava. Large differences between day and night temperatures result in fruity wines, while the marlstone rich soil gives them distinct mineral notes.

Shipping Details

US Natural Wine ships once a week, every Wednesday. All orders should be placed by Tuesday at 10am in order to be picked up from our distributors and out on Wednesday's delivery truck. Shipping cost is 30 bucks a box (up to 12 bottles) so we highly encourage picking up more than 1 bottle for the best value!