Puklavec Family Wines

The name Puklavec carries weight in Slovenian viticulture. The family has been involved in viticulture since 1934, and the father of the current owner had already had a winery built in Jeruzalem-Ormoz in the 1960s, which was considered state-of-the-art by the standards of the time. For example, the structure of the winery was groundbreaking, allowing must and wine to be moved using only gravity without pumping. Other wineries in Europe or the New World only introduced this much later when building new wineries. In 2009, Vladimir Puklavec bought the cooperative and invested again in modernising the vineyards and wine cellar. Jeruzalem-Ormoz is located in the north-east of Soeovenia in the Podravje region, which is considered to be the best wine-growing region in the country. The extension of the Austrian Steiermal does not lack the perfect climatic conditions that have already brought fame and honour to the wines on the Austrian side. At the same time, Vladimir Puklavec has recruited Mitja Herga, probably the most experienced oenologist in the country. A total of 11 grape varieties are cultivated, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Welschriesling, Traminer, Chardonnay, Gelber Muskateller and Pinot Blanc. Particular attention is paid to one of the region's great specialties, the Furmint grape variety. In Macedonia, the red wine varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and the indigenous Vranec are also grown. The terraced parcels are located 200 to 300 meters above sea level. Puklavec cultivates a total of 650 hectares, while still paying attention to the highest quality. The grapes are still harvested entirely by hand and yields are strictly limited to 3,000 to 4,000 kilos per hectare. The fact that Puklavec Family Wines has long been one of the best wineries in the country is proven not only by the numerous awards and accolades that the wines have received to date, but even more so by the fact that it has been named "Winery of the Year in Slovenia" five times.