Page 179 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 179
Getting to know wine
VTC 12: The Goričko wine route
An average Slovene, in particular from the western part of the country, pictures the Prek-
murje region as the Slovene granary, with a flat landscape. But this is not quite the case.
Prekmurje’s northern part, above Murska Sobota, known as Goričko, consists of gentle
hills. Twenty years ago the viticultural expert Ernest Novak took me there. He wanted
to show me this part of our country, which is neither flat nor hilly. I admired the gently
undulating landscape with both vineyards and orchards growing in unique localities, where
large viticultural and orchard complexes could be set up, in particular in view of the dry
climate suited to the grapevine. Unfortunately, at that time the villages did not have many
inhabitants and the majority were old and had neither the strength nor the resources for
large projects, while the state just left them to their own devices. Such a shame. Perhaps
the situation is improving now and young people are coming back as more money is being
earmarked for these border areas.
The Goričko wine route leads through
Vaneča, where the terrain starts to rise
gently, to Mačkovec, Zgornji Petrovci,
Fokovci, Ivanovci and Selo, and from there
to Kobilje, Filovci, Pečarovci, Bogojina,
ending in Moravske Toplice. En route,
one can get an impression of Goričko and
its vineyards, try various wines at tourist
farms and in Ivanovci have a look at the
Goričko winegrowers’ society viticultural
centre, which has a wine cellar, information
centre and museum.
In Selo near Fokovci, there is the church of
St. Nicholas, dating from the 13th century,
while Bogojina has a church designed by
Jože Plečnik. In the church in Kuzma there
is an interesting depiction of the Stations
of the Cross by Lojze Perko: black contours
carved into white stone. In Grad, there is
a castle, first mentioned in 1214, with 365
rooms, the biggest in Slovenia. The village
of Pečarovci is known for its pottery. In
Krišec near Vaneče, there is still the practice
of roof thatching. Nature lovers will want
to visit the small lake Ledavsko jezero and
its surroundings, rich in wildlife.
The unique information signposts on VTC 12, 2006.
Photo: Aleš Gačnik.
175
VTC 12: The Goričko wine route
An average Slovene, in particular from the western part of the country, pictures the Prek-
murje region as the Slovene granary, with a flat landscape. But this is not quite the case.
Prekmurje’s northern part, above Murska Sobota, known as Goričko, consists of gentle
hills. Twenty years ago the viticultural expert Ernest Novak took me there. He wanted
to show me this part of our country, which is neither flat nor hilly. I admired the gently
undulating landscape with both vineyards and orchards growing in unique localities, where
large viticultural and orchard complexes could be set up, in particular in view of the dry
climate suited to the grapevine. Unfortunately, at that time the villages did not have many
inhabitants and the majority were old and had neither the strength nor the resources for
large projects, while the state just left them to their own devices. Such a shame. Perhaps
the situation is improving now and young people are coming back as more money is being
earmarked for these border areas.
The Goričko wine route leads through
Vaneča, where the terrain starts to rise
gently, to Mačkovec, Zgornji Petrovci,
Fokovci, Ivanovci and Selo, and from there
to Kobilje, Filovci, Pečarovci, Bogojina,
ending in Moravske Toplice. En route,
one can get an impression of Goričko and
its vineyards, try various wines at tourist
farms and in Ivanovci have a look at the
Goričko winegrowers’ society viticultural
centre, which has a wine cellar, information
centre and museum.
In Selo near Fokovci, there is the church of
St. Nicholas, dating from the 13th century,
while Bogojina has a church designed by
Jože Plečnik. In the church in Kuzma there
is an interesting depiction of the Stations
of the Cross by Lojze Perko: black contours
carved into white stone. In Grad, there is
a castle, first mentioned in 1214, with 365
rooms, the biggest in Slovenia. The village
of Pečarovci is known for its pottery. In
Krišec near Vaneče, there is still the practice
of roof thatching. Nature lovers will want
to visit the small lake Ledavsko jezero and
its surroundings, rich in wildlife.
The unique information signposts on VTC 12, 2006.
Photo: Aleš Gačnik.
175
