We’re returning to the slopes of Kolomban tonight to two heart-warming people who make sure each stay is a pleasant experience. We are at Andrej and Tina Cep at house Gordia, and tonight we’ll taste their macerated Malvazija that spent time in oak.

Andrej, who started his winemaking practices without prior knowledge or family tradition, is crafting some wonderful expression as if he would have this vocation rooted deep in his DNA. Everything is sourced from vineyards spanning a little over 4 hectares in an amphitheatrically shaped vineyard below their house. Something you’re now able to experience even thoroughly as they just opened apartments to host guests now.

Grapes were destemmed, crushed and macerated for 60 days with spontaneous fermentation and regular punch-downs three times daily. After a gentle pressing, the wine is racked into used oak barrels, where it matures for 18 months. Finally, it was bottled without filtration and laid to wait in the cellar for additional time.

This resulted in a Malvazija of amber colour with a slight haziness and dense texture. Its bouquet is intense and developed. We detect dried apple slices, dried pears and apricots, as well as scents of black tea, resin and sweet root, with a slight finish of incense.

Its taste reveals a feeling of softness and well-integrated alcohols while offering a good measure of mature freshness, minerality and a touch of tannins—a full-bodied wine with an archaic touch of elegance and very lasting taste.

A wine that has the power to keep its shape for the next five to seven years will make sure to please lovers of macerated, expressive wines. A bottle will cost you approximately 20 Eur, and you can order it at Dobro vino, Vinoteka Sodček, Be wines, Natural wine collective, Deli Croatia and Okusi Istre.