Winery Overview
Halfway between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea lies Brda, Slovenia, a gorgeous wine region of rolling hills with terraced vineyards, olive groves and forests. Brda borders Italy’s Northeastern Collio wine region, and Avia’s vineyards are located here. Klet Brda Winery, the owner of Avia, is the leading producer and exporter of Slovenian bottled wine. The winery unites 400 members who have been working together for over fifty years. The Klet Brda Winery manages nearly 3,000 acres of vineyards in the Goriska Brda region. The largest share of vineyards is planted with the indigenous Brda variety Ribolla Gialla (27%), followed by Merlot (20%), Chardonnay (16%) and Sauvignonasse, formerly known as Tocai Friulano (12%). In addition to these varieties, the vineyards are planted with Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and the indigenous Pikolit and Verduc. In Slovenia, around 50% of vineyards are on steep slopes where the incline is between 16% and 30%. Almost 21% of vineyards are on the slopes where the incline is more than 31%. Because of the steepness, most viticulture practices are performed manually. All white wines by Avia are handpicked and Vegan. On average, a winegrower within the Klet Brda co-operative cultivates a little less than 5 acres of vineyards. Therefore, each winegrower pays careful attention when caring for the vines, which is reflected in the excellent quality of grapes and wine. Avia’s continued mission with their line of varietal wines is to deliver a broad selection of well-made, affordable and palate friendly wines. They aim to capture the uniqueness of the Brda terroir in the wines and to contribute to the development of the region and the prosperity of the local population.