From: Slovenia

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Founded in 2003 by Marko Podkubovsek and Ilya Shchukin, Vinum USA, Inc. was first a hobby and a small side business. The founders had no prior experience in importing and selling wine. Marko’s family in Slovenia always had vineyards and made wine for their own consumption. Consequently, he developed a love of wine and passion for Slovenian and Croatian wine cultures, which elicited the creation of this company. Years of expensive mistakes paid off as the hobby turned into a sustainable business. In 2008 Marko decided to move back to Slovenia and focus on making his own wines (Sanctum), and the business became Ilya’s full time job.

Tasting Notes: Pinot Noir has been cultivated on the hills of Lipoglav, Lower Styria since the French monks planted them in the 12th century. The grapes of this wine were hand-harvested then destemmed and spontaneously fermented in open top fermenters. After a 3 week maceration on the skins, the wine aged for 12 months in old French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered.

Pairing: Enjoy with stews, goulashes, sausages, roasted red meats, pulled pork, and broth boiled beef with an assortment of vegetables like onions, carrots, tomatoes, leeks, potatoes, celery, and cauliflower.