Maribor Wine Guide: Tastings, Cellars, and the World’s Oldest Vine
Visiting Slovenia’s Styria region feels like stepping into a storybook where vineyards stretch across rolling hills, underground tunnels hide centuries of history, and one legendary vine continues to grow against all odds.
We came to Maribor for its wine heritage and found a destination layered with culture, charm, and unforgettable flavors.
We’re sharing everything we experienced in Maribor, from a vineyard hike to the world’s oldest grapevine to one of Europe’s largest classic wine cellars.
Short on Time? Here are the key takeaways:
- Visit the Old Vine House to see the world’s oldest producing grapevine and sample signature wines from the Maribor district.
- Don’t miss Vinag 1847, one of Europe’s largest historic wine cellars, for a guided tour through atmospheric underground tunnels.
- Walk up Pyramid Hill for a quick, easy vineyard hike with panoramic city views.
- Stop at Water Tower, Vinoteka Maribor, or LeVino Wine Bar for relaxed tastings of Styrian whites by the glass.
- If you have time, follow one of Maribor’s wine tourist roads into the surrounding hills for scenic drives and family-run winery visits.
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Map of Maribor Wine Spots
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick look at how our day unfolded. Everything is walkable once you’re in the city center.
Maribor’s Wine Scene, Explained
Maribor sits in the heart of the Styria wine region, or Štajerska, which is Slovenia’s largest wine district and one of the most underrated in Europe.
What makes this region so fascinating is how accessible everything is. You don’t have to drive an hour into the countryside to find great wine. The city itself is full of historic cellars, tasting rooms, and medieval fortifications that now serve as wine bars.
Then, just beyond the city center, vineyard-covered hills stretch in every direction, dotted with family-run wineries, farms, and scenic tasting spots.
Styria’s wine identity leans heavily toward crisp, aromatic whites, and after spending time here, we completely understand why. The microclimates around Maribor create bright, expressive wines that show off the region’s signature grapes like Laški Rizling, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Renski Rizling.
If you’re a white wine drinker or you love exploring new varietals, this region is pure heaven.
Here’s a look at the essential wine stops in and around Maribor, along with what made each one worth visiting.
Pyramid Hill
Our day in Maribor began with an unexpected warm-up hike. We had a little time before our first tasting, so we headed to Pyramid Hill, a viewpoint just outside the city.
We somehow missed the memo that we’d be hiking up a fairly steep hill, and we definitely weren’t dressed for it, but the walk was short, only about ten minutes, and totally manageable.
The trail winds through vineyards, which gave us our first taste of Slovenia’s wine identity before we even picked up a glass.
At the top sits an archaeological site dating back to the 11th century, along with a sweeping view of Maribor and the Drava River.
It was the perfect introduction to the region’s long relationship with wine. The vibes were peaceful, scenic, and relaxed, and it felt like a great preview of the stories we were about to uncover.
Old Vine House
No visit to Maribor is complete without paying tribute to the world’s oldest producing grapevine, Žametovka.
This vine has been growing for more than 400 years and holds an official Guinness World Record. It has survived wars, fires, floods, and even phylloxera, the pandemic of old European vineyards.
The Old Vine House protects and celebrates this living piece of Slovenia’s identity.
Each year, locals prune and harvest the grapes, and the tiny 250-milliliter bottles of wine that are produced are gifted only to presidents, popes, and major dignitaries.
We booked a basic tasting, which included three wines each. Here’s what we tried and what we honestly thought:
What We Drank
- Local dry white: Light, crisp, and our favorite of the tasting
- Pinot Noir rosé: Dry but carried an artificial cherry note that reminded us of childhood cough syrup
- Semi-sweet sauvignon: Light, fruity, and surprisingly refreshing
We also tried a Pinot Tris and Kerner later, both unique in flavor but still skewing sweeter than our typical Italian reds.
Our Review
The Old Vine House is absolutely worth visiting for its history alone. The tasting was enjoyable and very affordable at €11 per person. While none of the wines were showstoppers for us, we loved learning about the region and trying styles we rarely drink.
The experience is full of dualities and contrasts between ancient roots and modern tastings, sweet and dry profiles, and wines that push your palate in new directions.
Vinag 1847
Vinag 1847 is one of the oldest and largest classic wine cellars in Europe, stretching more than two kilometers beneath the streets of Maribor. These tunnels once held over 5 million liters of wine in massive oak barrels, some of which still line the stone corridors today.
Walking through the cellar felt like entering a different era. Stories of wartime survival, abandoned vintages, and rediscovery filled the tour. It was dark, atmospheric, and endlessly fascinating.
What We Drank
We tasted three wines here:
- A sauvignon
- A rosé
- A semi-sweet dessert wine
The sweetness level once again wasn’t our preference, but the experience itself was incredible. If you’re a wine lover or history buff, this stop is essential.
Vibes and Review
Vinag 1847 blew us away with its scale and storytelling. Even if the wines weren’t our favorites, the cellar tour alone was worth the visit.
Water Tower, Vinoteka Maribor
After exploring the historic heart of Maribor, you can make your way to one of the prettiest riverfront spots in the city, the Water Tower, known locally as Vodna Stolp.
This beautifully restored 16th-century Renaissance fortification sits right along the Drava River and once formed part of Maribor’s defensive walls. Today, it has a much friendlier purpose. The tower now houses Vinoteka Maribor, a wine bar and shop that showcases local producers from the Podravje region.
Inside, the stone walls and arched ceilings create a cozy, atmospheric space where history meets modern wine culture.
They offer tastings, curated flights, and bottles from boutique winemakers, making it a great stop if you want to go deeper into Slovenian whites, especially Styrian varietals.
While we didn’t make it here on this trip, it’s worth grabbing a glass while looking out over the river.
LeVino Wine Bar
LeVino Wine Bar is a cozy wine bar and shop tucked into the historic center, and while it looks charming from the outside, the real surprise waits underground. Their medieval cellar is stunning, with old stone walls and warm lighting that make it feel like you’ve stepped into a secret tasting room.
LeVino has an extensive selection of local wines, especially from the Styrian region, and what we loved most is how many they offer by the glass.
It’s the perfect place to sample varietals you might not find outside Slovenia, like Kerner, Ranina, or regional expressions of Sauvignon Blanc.
If you want to taste widely in one sitting or dive deeper into Slovenia’s lesser-known producers, LeVino is an excellent stop to add to your Maribor itinerary.
Exploring the Maribor Wine-Tourist Roads
Once you’ve explored the city center, Maribor becomes the perfect launching point for scenic wine routes that lead into the surrounding hills. Whether you’re driving, cycling, or hopping between wineries, each road offers a different look at Slovenia’s agricultural heritage and local winemaking traditions.
Maribor Wine-Tourist Road
This route kicks off near the Old Vine and winds through vineyard-covered hills like Kamnica, Kalvarija, Piramida, and Malečnik. If you only have time for one countryside route, this one gives you the best mix of views, tastings, and cultural stops.
Here are a few places worth adding to your list:
Joannes Protner House
Joannes Protner House is an award-winning winery known for its exceptional Rhine Riesling. They also produce standout Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and tastings often come with homemade snacks. It’s a welcoming, family-run spot that really showcases Styrian hospitality.
Ramšak Winery
Ramšak Winery is home to one of the largest old wine presses in Slovenia, making this stop especially fun for wine travelers who love learning about the mechanics of winemaking. Their tasting room blends history with rustic elegance.
Eco Farm and Winery Hauptman
Eco Farm and Winery Hauptman isa great stop for organic, farm-to-table experiences. Their house wines pair beautifully with regional dishes, and the atmosphere feels peaceful and remote.
Viticulture Farm Hlade
Viticulture Farm Hlade isknown for producing fresh whites and sparkling wines. This is a lovely stop if you enjoy lighter, aromatic styles with bright acidity.
Upper Slovenske Gorice Wine-Tourist Road
This route stretches along the Austrian border and is home to the famous heart-shaped road at Špičnik, which you’ve probably seen on Instagram. It’s even more beautiful in person and makes a perfect scenic stop between tastings.
Along this road, you’ll find some of the most unique wineries in the region:
Dveri-Pax Wine Cellar
Located in a 450-year-old renovated manor, Dveri-Pax continues an 800-year-old Benedictine winemaking tradition. Their guided tastings are incredibly informative, and the setting alone makes it worth the detour.
Doppler Winery
Doppler Winery isknown for producing award-winning white wines with a modern twist. The views from their tasting room are spectacular, making this one of the most photogenic stops on the route.
Ducal Wines
Ducal Wine is a winery that blends history with modern design. They age some of their wines in qvevri, the Georgian clay vessels traditionally buried underground. It’s a fascinating glimpse into ancient winemaking techniques meeting modern Slovenian craftsmanship.
What Makes Styria Stand Out as a Wine Region
Styria is defined by its cool climate and rolling hills, which produce elegant whites with high acidity and expressive aromatics. If you usually gravitate toward Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or Riesling, this region will feel instantly familiar but still exciting.
The styles here strike a balance between Old World structure and fresh, fruit-forward profiles, making them approachable for casual drinkers and fascinating for seasoned wine lovers.
Watch Our Maribor Video
If you want to see these spots in action, including the underground tunnels, vineyard views, and our full wine reactions, watch the full YouTube video here.
FAQ for Maribor
Is Maribor worth visiting for wine?
Absolutely. Maribor is deeply connected to Slovenia’s wine heritage, especially white wines from the Podravje region.
Does the world’s oldest vine really still produce grapes?
Yes. The Žametovka vine continues to produce fruit each year.
Are the wine tastings expensive in Maribor?
No, prices are very reasonable. Our tasting at Old Vine House was €11 per person.
Can you walk the Vinag 1847 cellar without a tour?
You need a guided tour, and we highly recommend it.
Maribor surprised us with its mix of ancient wine culture, scenic landscapes, and atmospheric cellar experiences. It’s a destination full of contrasts and rich stories, the kind that make traveling through Slovenia so rewarding.
If you’re planning a Slovenia road trip, carve out time for Maribor. Go for the oldest vine, stay for the cellar tour, and leave with a deeper appreciation of the country’s wine legacy.
For more Slovenia inspiration, check out our other Slovenia guides:
