As we set out in the car, she thought we were going somewhere else in Italy because it is impossible to rent a car in Italy and drop it off in our final country, I found a great service (Ondaytrip.com) to drive us to what i told my wife was “city 2 and City 3. As we proceeded on the freeway, the indications pointed the best way to the Italian towns of Udine and Trieste. Over the road there have been miles and kilometers of grape vines, leading her to conclude we had been visiting some north Italian wineries. Cagey man that i will be, I didn’t correct any of these impressions and simply grunted each and every time she produced guess.
She wasn’t incorrect with regards to the way we had been traveling – north and east of Venice – and the famous wine areas that are located in that way. But before we found its way to Italian wine country, we veered due eastern and took some little roadways through the stunning countryside during the base of the Dolomite hills. 1 minute we had been in Italy, the next moment we had been in Slovenia. Twenty-five years back, this crossing could have been significantly more momentous and might not need occurred this kind of a sneaky way. In those days, the journey could have been from Italy to Yugoslavia, that was one of many countries that are soviet-bloc had much stricter edge control. Today, Slovenia is a part associated with E.U. therefore the edges are available, unmanned and need no surrendering of passports or other paperwork.
We meandered through the Slovenian countryside for a few miles before turning off on a small road and making our way a narrow mountain road after we crossed the border. Halfway towards the top we pulled in to a parking great deal for an establishment called Kabaj Morel. “What’s this?” asked the missus. “It’s where we’re lunch that is having” I shared with her.
Fourteen days before we left on our journey, Jean-Michel Morel, the winemaker at Kabaj Morel, was at san francisco bay area marketing their find my bride review wines that are slovenian the California market. He was met by a friend and got one of is own cards for me personally. I made the decision so it would be fun to visit because it was just about a couple of hours from Venice as well as on the best way to our next location. “Where are we?” she asked. “Goriљka Brda,” I offered, just as if this is information that is helpful. “That doesn’t noise Italian,” she responded. “What a relief, since we have been in Slovenia.”
Any possibility as we got out of the car that she might be upset or shocked by being whisked to an obscure winery in Slovenia was erased by the views visible from the parking lot as soon.
Kabaj property vineyards directly behind the winery
It had been as though Napa Valley and Tuscany met up and produced the offspring that is perfect. Rolling hills covered in grape vines with breathtaking houses and a church towards the top of nearly every mountain. We went in and had been greeted by Jean-Michel Morel’s wife Katja Kabaj, whoever household happens to be tending vines within the area that is local numerous generations. Together, they are bottling their wine that is own since. Katja told us that lunch would ready in about a half hour and that individuals should just take some wine with us to take pleasure from regarding the patio outside overlooking the vineyards. We discovered the perfect spot with the right view and enjoyed one cup of Zeleni Sauvignon, which equals “Green Sauvignon” but we might phone it Sauvignon Blanc in the us.
Irene enjoying some Kabaj Zeleni Sauvignon
Whenever we were called set for meal, Katja told us we’re able to choose from a five-course lunch, with every course combining an alternate Slovenian providing from their Kabaj label, or we’re able to purchase some of the things through the course menu and now have it a la carte. We find the five-course menu, obviously, which turned into the absolute decision that is right. Each program had been a geniune Slovenian dish produced from locally-sourced, regular components, but accentuated with a touch that is modern.
Leek omelette with slim pieces of Slovenian bacon Sauerkraut soup Barley and bacon in a pumpkin seed oil Steak Slovenian style Traditional Slovenian dessert