The long-awaited new vintage from Radovan Schman, a Slovenian producer we visited last winter, has been released!
A clay bottle that traps energy, and the use of beeswax in place of the cap seal that holds the cork in place.
This is a very small production Slovenian wine that has an overwhelming presence.
Please try.
moon drops 2021
～Travel Journal～
February 19, 2023
The final trip of last year's trip to Europe was to the Radovan Suman's winery in Slovenia, located about 15 km from the Austrian border.
Franz Strohmeier, an Austrian where where I was staying, was friends with Radovan, so we visited together. 
A cozy and cute home that blends into nature,
A cute cat greeted me in front of his house.
Radovan has visited Franz's winery several times, and was overjoyed that Franz finally came after five years.
His language is Slovenian, but he also seems to understand 70% of German.
As soon as we met, he was cheerful and chatty! (So much so that I wonder if he was drunk!)
It was almost evening, so we went to the field near his house before it got dark.
He has a 1 ha field right next to his house, and a total of 7 ha including another field.
The sheep in the vineyard are so friendly and cute!
[Radovan's story in the field near his home]
Grapes and humans are the same. Fungus (bacteria, mold) is not poisonous either. Getting sick is a messenger, telling us that something is out of balance. It's a gift of life.
The elements of sun, water, earth and air. During the rainy season, it is natural for fungus to grow. Trying to kill it is wrong. The same goes for the human body. Don't try to kill the messenger, it's important to listen.
Scientific fertilizers also disturb the balance of nature. Actually, I shouldn't get in the way. The field next door is a conventional field (a field that is not organic, everyone calls it this way), and the grass on the ground is brown.
The sheep, goats, chickens, and bees create even better synergy.
There are about 10 animals in a field near my home. Apparently 10 animals per 1 hectare is the perfect balance. Too many is no good.
Including another field, there are about 60 animals. (Mostly sheep.)
The only problem is that chickens get eaten by foxes...
In addition to grapes, various trees grow in the field, and they support each other with insects and animals.
In addition to animals, butterflies, bees, and herbs such as lavender can also help.
``All the animals and insects are co-workers working together in the fields,'' says Radovan.
Grass mowing is carried out only twice a year. This field is 20 years old.
A lamb that was just born the day before we visited.
Franz and Radovan have a very good relationship.
They were always talking about each other's wine making and exchanging opinions.
(Conversation that mixes English and German)
To a field 2 km away with 50 animals.
Approximately 5 ha , 40 year old field. There are beehives with beautiful pictures all over the place.
Beekeeping is only for the ecosystem.
Using beeswax and his family just eat a little. He said he doesn't want to turn it into a product.
Bees are really hard workers. It has a little bit of toxicity, but it does a good job of killing off any unnecessary bacteria.
“They are the masters of sustainable systems, and the queen bee is the master.”
said Radovan.
The average rainfall here is 1500ml, with the heaviest rainfall reaching 2000ml.
In the 2022 vintage, 90% of the grapes were destroyed by hail in September. Therefore, release is not possible...
"It's natural, it can't be helped," says Radovan, who doesn't seem disappointed and accepts it.
The compost has been sitting for 2 years,
we do not throw away all the grape residue and lees.
we moved to his home cellar and had a tasting.
He've lived here since 2004, and his parents live in a village a little far away. There are no employees, and friends help with pruning and harvesting.
Wine is usually aged for two years, and finally bottled in a slightly warm brick room.
We had tasted the 2020 and 21 vintages.
Each wine becomes even more amazing over time, but it's already a wonderful with a high degree of perfection... It's as if the energy trapped inside the clay bottle is flowing out all at once.
Franz also praised it as "supa!" *The best German slang! means
We also tasted the 22nd vintage, which was made in very small quantities.
Moondrop, Sundrop, Pinot Gris, a new cuvée that will be put in a clay bottle that is a mix of all. As it is a small quantity, it is undecided whether it will be released.
Most use wooden barrels from Slovenia.
Apparently they have the wood selected and the barrels for aging made. He can even make it with your own wood!
There are cherry, mulberry, and acacia barrels, but most are oak.
There's a stethoscope in the barrel!
Apparently you can hear the movement of yeast and bacteria.
Log-cured ham made from local wild pigs.
Kivanza, a classic Slovenian bread, is filled with cottage cheese and has a caramelized surface, making it slightly sweet and delicious.
Radovan drinks up the wine Franz brought him like water.
His personality was just as energetic as his wine!
Although Steiermark led me to here, Sumas's wine is also a unique and wonderful wine.
The yield for the next vintage will be down 90% due to frost damage, so it looks like there won't be any releases after this vintage for a while...
Please try it.
*Due to extremely limited stock, only one bottle is available per person.
