Keltis

The Keltis winery, located in Bizeljsko in the Posavje region of eastern Slovenia, has a winemaking tradition that dates back 240 years. The estate is now run by the father-son team of Marijan and Miha Kelhar. They manage 5 hectares of vineyards certified for organic production, with a strong commitment to biodynamic principles. The winery's name is a portmanteau of the family name "Kelhar" and the Latin word "vitis," meaning grapevine.

The vineyards are situated on both south and south-western slopes, as well as northern slopes, at an altitude of approximately 350 meters. The terroir is a complex geological mix, including marl, sandstone with quartz binder, clay, and limestone. The prevailing westerly winds from the nearby Orlica hills provide natural ventilation, acting as a natural defense against disease.

In the cellar, their philosophy is to produce authentic, "natural" wines with minimal intervention. They practice spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Many of their wines are bottled unfiltered, and sulfur additions are kept to a minimum. The aging process for their wines varies; fresh wines are stored in stainless steel tanks, while wines intended for longer maturation are aged in wooden barrels. The Keltis portfolio is diverse, including sparkling wines (Pet-Nat), macerated whites, and reds from a wide range of grapes, including:

• Whites: Pinot Grigio, Yellow Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling, and the indigenous Rumeni Plavec and Kraljevina.

• Reds: Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.