Edi Simčič

Primorska - Slovenia

The Winery

When it comes to the wines of Edi and Aleks Simčič, several descriptors spring immediately to mind: unrivalled, world-class, controversial… and by all standards, unique. Unlike so many of the stainless-aged Italians, even the whites of Simčič are fermented and aged for long periods in oak, often earning comparisons to high-end French wine. Multiple critics rank the estate among the very best in Eastern Europe and, as humble as they are, their name is quite well known to all the top producers in next-door Friuli. In terms of low yields, no one has higher standards than Edi Simčič. Toward that end, Aleks and his family don’t even own a sorting table. Working as a team, grandfather Edi, son Aleks, and grandson Jure make 3 passes per varietal per harvest, selecting each individual berry through sunlight. It’s no wonder their wines average just 700 grams per vine - closer to a half-bottle per plant than one bottle!

Today, the family works side by side on 12 hectares of tiny, non-contiguous crus spread out over hillsides in the tuckaway villages of Vipolže, Kozana and Fojana. Altitude varies, going from 90 meters up to 300, and exposition runs from south to west. In the cellar, all wines are fermented and aged in French oak barriques – a minimum of 10 months for the whites, and up to 4 years for reds. Needless to say, keeping tabs on every barrel and every vintage is a monumental task! One of our favorite sights is Aleks in the cellar, displaying his enormous, handwritten spreadsheets used to track each barrel and its variations. Every time he shows us, Aleks breaks into a broad grin - somewhere in between the world’s most peaceful farmer and a mad scientist extraordinaire.

For those unfamiliar with the area, traveling to Slovenia can be a magical experience. Goriška Brda has a dreamy, timeless quality to it: hamlets are nestled into the green hillsides rising toward the Alps, creating a gorgeous, tiered landscape. Although further north, the quality of light is distinctly Mediterranean. Artists and artisans can be found everywhere, including keen-eyed, intelligent winemakers who are nonetheless down to earth, and world-class chefs in rustic settings. (With everything produced just a few paces away, the term “farm to table” scarcely begins to cover it.) Truly, this little corner of the world one is of EU’s best kept secrets.

Enologist
Aleks Simčič
Grapes Grown by Winery
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay,
Furlanski Tokaj, Malvazija, Merlot,
Pinot Grigio, Rebula, Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Size
12.0 ha
Winemaker
Aleks Simcic
Winemaker Biography
Creating wines that challenge convention and boggle the senses, father and son Edi and Aleks Simcic are among the happiest, talented, and most intuitive winemakers we know. Their farm sits on land that once belonged to Italy, and they may draw upon the French example, but their style is all their own.
Winemaker Generation
2nd
AdriaticSea Austria Italy Hungary Croatia Bosnia &Herzegovina Nova Gorica Koper Slovenia Nova Gorica Koper

Chardonnay Riserva

One of the finest Chardonnays produced anywhere in the world, this classic from Simčič offers a profound array of sweet cream, peaches, citrus, and honeycomb, along with a full, lush volume in the mouth. Most wineries ferment in steel, then pass through oak, giving the wine barbed edges and an inelegant balance; Simčič ferments his wine in the barrel, offering a soft, velvety tannin that is a confident and generous.

Color
Deep, golden hue
Nose
Extremely complex, with elements of juicy, tropical fruit, quince, honeycomb, butter and smoke
Palate
Opulent and persistent, with a faraway hint of “salt” (not unlike Pouilly-Fuissé or even Meursault)
Finish
Long, savory, and smooth
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
1.5 ha
Varietals List
100% Chardonnay
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
110 m
Soils
Ponca (mineral-rich flysch also found in Friuli)
Maturation Summary
In Steel for 2 months and Bottled for 6 months
In Steel
2 months
Alcohol
13.0 %
Acidity
5.2 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.3 g/liter
Annual Production
4,000 bottles

Sauvignon Riserva

Winemaker Aleks Simčič has a heart for Sauvignon Blanc, and it shows. This voluptuous, ageworthy specimen bursts with rich varietal character on the nose. Its fully developed body offers a fine mineral core, with notes of mint, menthol, sweet-scented grass, honeycomb and white blossoms. With bottle aging, the mature fruits, exotic spices, and long finish become increasingly present. Perfect for grilled fish, or warm “primi piatti” with aromatic herbs.

Color
Deep, golden hues
Nose
Opens over time, with gooseberry, peach, wet stone, and butter
Palate
Full-bodied and savory with a rich, oily texture, ripe acidity, and persistent fruit
Finish
Long, balanced finish, suited to opulent food pairings
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
1.2 ha
Varietals List
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
120 m
Soils
Ponca (mineral-rich flysch also found in Friuli)
Maturation Summary
In Steel for 2 months and Bottled for 6-9 months
In Steel
2 months
Alcohol
13.0 %
Acidity
5.7 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.6 g/liter
Annual Production
3,000 bottles

Duet

Edi Simčič calls his wines “controversial.” Funny for a man whose quiet, timeless smile puts one completely at ease. But just over the Italian border, in the nature-blessed zone of Goriška Brda, Simčič is turning traditional heads with his stunningly bold wines. His Duet is pure Simčič: bold, stirring, compelling. Its richness is like a restaurant-only dessert: chocolate, cherries, cheesecake, and coffee. Its silky tannins underscore a lush, ripe, fruit-full body that goes on and on, and will improve for 20 years.

Color
Deep ruby, tinges of garnet as wine ages
Nose
Intense with ripe cherry, blackberry and blueberry with a backdrop of earthy bramble.
Palate
Full-bodied, yet lively, with abundant, vertical tannins.
Finish
Balanced and complex, medium+ finish
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
2.5 ha
Varietals List
80% Merlot
10% Cabernet Franc
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
110 m
Soils
Ponca (mineral-rich flysch also found in Friuli)
Maturation Summary
In French barrels for 24 months, in Steel 2 months and bottled 6 months
In Steel
2 months
Alcohol
13.5 %
Acidity
5.3 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.7 g/liter
Annual Production
8,000 bottles

Duet Lex Red Blend

A nano-production Cab-Merlot blend of stunning power, Duet Lex is deeply complex and refined. Extremely low yields concentrate the tannins, along with rich layers of plum, dark tea, and wood smoke. A monumental achievement that has garnered exceptional ratings from (among others) Wine Enthusiast: “Lifted blackberry and cherry aromas meld into flavors of ripe black-fruit, violet and black peppercorn in this bold, beautiful Bordeaux-style blend. It’s richly concentrated, with vibrant acidity and lush, furry tannins.”

Color
Deep ruby, with tinges of garnet as wine ages
Nose
Ripe dark fruit, with hints of vanilla, spicy black pepper, and smoke
Palate
Full bodied, with grippy tannins and plenty of structure
Finish
Long-lasting, with complex fruit and sweet spices like cloves and nutmeg
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
2 ha
Varietals List
80% Merlot
10% Cabernet
10% Cab Franc
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
80 m
Soils
Ponca (mineral-rich flysch also found in Friuli)
Maturation Summary
In French barrels for 48 months, in Steel 2 months and bottled 6 months
In Steel
2 months
Alcohol
14.5 %
Acidity
6.2 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.9 g/liter
Annual Production
7,000 bottles

Fojana Single Cru Rebula

One of Europe's best-kept secrets, the charismatic Rebula (Ribolla Gialla) grape grows in the textured, windswept hills of Friuli and next-door Slovenia. Here, this nano-production, single cru rendition from Aleks Simčič takes the classic variety to staggering new heights. A rich, oily texture and layer upon layer of flavor, combined with a paradoxical freshness and perfectly-balanced acidity. Such power, and yet such restraint... truly a white wine to make the French weep. Only 180 bottles allocated to the U.S.

Color
Deep golden
Nose
Expressive for Rebula, with dried herbs and grass, tropical fruit, hints of caramel and butter
Palate
Medium-full body with oily texture - yet simultaneously fresh and nuanced
Finish
Long, crisp, and clear-headed
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
0.45 ha
Varietals List
100% Rebula
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
157 m
Soils
Ponca with clay and sandstone
Maturation Summary
Bottled for 6 months
Alcohol
13.0 %
Acidity
5.1 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.8 g/liter
Annual Production
1,600 bottles

Fojana Single Cru Sauvignon

Layered on the nose and complex on the palate, this single cru, subalpine Sauvignon displays incredible innovation and typicity all at once. Made from a single acre of 35 year-old vines, this intense, concentrated wine is full of paradox: a ripe, weighty texture underpinned by a clean, tense acidity; an explosion of tropical and stone fruits backed by a clear-headed minerality and a distinct salinity. Get ready to study this wine for days! Less than 300 cases made and 240 bottles allocated to the US.

Color
Deep golden yellow
Nose
Complex, with gooseberry, white peach, and fresh hay with a hint of orange zest
Palate
Medium-full body with ripe fruit, an oily viscosity, and clean, balanced acidity
Finish
Long, nuanced, and salty
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
0.5 ha
Varietals List
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
112 m
Soils
Ponca with clay
Maturation Summary
Bottled for 6 months
Alcohol
14.0 %
Acidity
5 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.9 g/liter
Annual Production
1,400 bottles

Kolos Single Cru Cuvee

Rivalling Bordeaux’s highest champions, this flagship wine from Edi Simčič can only be described as transcendent. With each sip, the endless canopy of layers extends itself even further: pine oil, cherry liqueur, bilberry and dried blueberries, tea leaves, liquid smoke, cinnamon stick, fern leaf and a nuanced, dirt road minerality.... the list goes on and on! A tannic masterpiece, Kolos is Slovenian in its purest expression and not, in fact, Bordeaux! Only 3000 bottles made.

Color
Deep ruby
Nose
Opulent, yet fresh
Palate
Full-bodied and elegant, with multiple layers of dark, ripe fruit
Finish
Long, complex, and satisfying (increases with age)
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
1.5 ha
Varietals List
80% Merlot
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
10% Cabernet Franc
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
90 m
Soils
Ponca (mineral-rich flysch also found in Friuli)
Maturation Summary
In French barrels for 60 months, in Steel 2 months and bottled 6 months
In Steel
2 months
Alcohol
14.0 %
Acidity
5.8 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.8 g/liter
Annual Production
3,000 bottles

Kozana Single Cru Chardonnay

This stunning, single-vineyard Chardonnay originates from the Simčič family’s highest altitude site. The wine’s sheer power and delineation reveal their decision to bottle this cru separately. Baffling complexity begins in the nose with hazelnuts, spiced gingerbread, and caramel backing a host of tropical and stone fruits... followed by a voluptuous palate of Meyer lemon, crème brûlée, golden apple, crushed limestone, and toasted almond that finishes with a saline spike. Absolutely glorious! Less than 300 cases made.

Color
Deep golden hue
Nose
Array of tropical fruit, orange peel, ripe peach, wet stone, and caramel
Palate
Opulent, with a supple texture and hidden layers that dance on the tongue
Finish
Long and rewarding
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
0.5 ha
Varietals List
100% Chardonnay
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
150 m
Soils
Ponca (mineral-rich flysch) interspersed with blocks of stone
Maturation Summary
Bottled for 6 months
Alcohol
14.5 %
Acidity
5.1 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.8 g/liter
Annual Production
1,600 bottles

Kozana Single Cru Sauvignon

SW exposure, rich clay soils, and cooling alpine breezes combine to give us this powerhouse Sauvignon from Slovenian white wine master Aleks Simčič. Located in the hills adjacent to Italy's famed Collio district, the estate specializes in highly concentrated, micro-production wines that escort your taste buds to places you didn't know existed! Thanks to low yields that defy logic, we get deep layers of exotic fruit, stone fruit, and gooseberry that weave on and on for days... just 2400 bottles made with only 10% allocated to the US.

Color
Deep golden
Nose
Aromatic, with passion fruit, gooseberry, peach and vanilla against a backdrop of wet stone minerality
Palate
Opulent texture and multiple layers of powerful fruit - ranging from "typical" to the full-blown exotic
Finish
Long and complex, with a warm citrus centerpiece
Vineyard Location
Goriska Brda, Primorska
Vineyard Size
.65 ha
Varietals List
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Farming Practices
Organically farmed (non-certified) including dry-farmed; grapes picked by hand; vegan
Elevation
110 m
Soils
Ponca with sandstone and organic mass
Maturation Summary
Bottled for 6 months
Alcohol
14.5 %
Acidity
5.25 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1.6 g/liter
Annual Production
2,400 bottles