Nando Winery

Natural Wines from Brda, Slovenia

Nando Winery is a small-scale, family-run estate located in the picturesque village of Plešivo, Slovenia, within the Brda wine region. The winery spans 5.5 hectares, with 60% of the vineyards situated in Italy's Collio region and the remaining 40% in Slovenia's Brda. The favorable Mediterranean microclimate in this area is created by the meeting of warm air from the Adriatic Sea and cooler temperatures from the Julian Alps, providing ideal conditions for producing white wines. The vineyards are terraced at altitudes between 100 and 200 meters above sea level, planted with a mix of indigenous and international grape varieties, including Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Tokaj (Friulano), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The soil is predominantly marl, locally known as "ponka" in Slovenian, which contributes to the unique terroir of the wines.

🌿 Philosophy & Practices

Nando Winery adheres to organic farming principles, avoiding the use of chemical agents and employing sustainable practices to protect against disease. The soil is planted with grass to promote biodiversity, and manual harvesting ensures that only fully ripe grapes are selected. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using indigenous yeasts, with minimal intervention. Only a minimal amount of sulfur dioxide is added at bottling, preserving the natural expression of the grapes and terroir.

🍷 Notable Wines

  • Rebula: A white wine made from the indigenous Rebula grape, showcasing the varietal's characteristic freshness and minerality.

  • Tokaj: Crafted from Tokaj (Friulano) grapes, this wine offers a harmonious balance of fruit and acidity.

  • Chardonnay: A classic expression of Chardonnay, reflecting the unique terroir of the Brda region.

  • Sauvignon Blanc: A crisp and aromatic white wine with notes of citrus and herbs.

  • Cabernet Sauvignon: A red wine that demonstrates the potential of this international variety in the Brda region.

  • Merlot: A smooth and elegant red wine, highlighting the versatility of Merlot in this terroir.

 
  • Online Retailers

    • Vini Sud Shop (Italy/EU shipping): Offers wines such as Malvazija Blu Label 2021 (€18.90), Jakot Blu Label 2021 (€19.90), and Rebula Blu Label 2021 (€19.90). Older Black Label bottlings like Jakot 2018 and Rebula 2018may also be available (€29.90 each) vinisudshop.com+1.

    • Apewineboxes: Features macerated wines like Re Jantar 2021 and Ma Jantar 2019 — both expressive orange wines fermented with spontaneous yeast and aged in amphora or wood, minimal sulfur Apewineboxes+1. Also listed: Malvazjia Plava Etiketa 2021 Apewineboxes.

    Specialty Retailers

    • North & South Wines (UK): Offers six-bottle cases of Jakot Blue Label at ~£129.99 North & South Wines.

    On-List at Restaurants

    • Hiša Franko and similar establishments in Slovenia include Nando’s labels like ReJantarMaJantar, and Sauvignon in their wine lists — indicative of respect and availability in the natural wine scene