Klet Brda proudly takes on the role of exclusive wine supplier of the Slovenia House at the largest winter sports event of the year – the Winter Olympic Games Milano – Cortina 2026. This prestigious partnership highlights a shared commitment to excellence, as the Slovenia House was not only welcoming fans and elite athletes, but also served as a vibrant hub for international networking, business and bilateral meetings, presentations, and a wide range of formal and informal events.
“Passion for excellence, respect for tradition and innovation, collaboration, and openness to the world.” These shared values unite the Slovenia House and Klet Brda. As Slovenia’s largest wine exporter—present in an impressive 27 markets worldwide—Klet Brda proudly joins the Slovenia House in Cortina in showcasing the authentic beauty, culture, and renowned hospitality of Slovenia to an international audience.
For decades, Klet Brda has also embodied the spirit of sport. A committed supporter of sporting events across Slovenia, it is the long-standing organizer of the iconic Heroes of the Vineyards Cycling Marathon from Ljubljana to the home of Klet Brda in Dobrovo (Brda), which celebrates its landmark 30th edition this year. Over the years, the event has played a key role in promoting cycling and inspiring people to experience nature through active, authentic enjoyment.
The most influential American wine and gastronomy platform, JamesSuckling.com, has once again recognized the exceptional quality of wines from the Klet Brda Cellar and the de Baguer Cellar. All evaluated wines received over 92 points, with three earning 94 points. By invitation from James Suckling, both wineries will be showcased in March 2026 at the prestigious Great Wines World event in New York, as well as at follow-up shows in Miami and San Francisco. Such high scores and participation in Suckling’s events serve as an important endorsement, particularly for American distributors and buyers.
The wines were evaluated by Aldo Fiordelli, Senior Editor at JamesSuckling.com responsible for Italy and France:
“Whenever I visit Brda, I am consistently impressed by the quality of the wines and the dedication of the winemakers. Their passion shines through in every bottle. I believe Brda wines are now far more consistent than in the past, both in viticulture and winemaking, and the region’s identity in the global wine market will only grow stronger. Among Klet Brda wines, I was particularly struck by the Bagueri Sauvignon Blanc. While reference Sauvignon Blancs typically come from the Loire or New Zealand, this wine stands out with its own distinctive character – exceptionally clean, fruity, and multi-layered. I was equally impressed by Krasno Ribolla Gialla, which showcases the mineral character typical of the region, paired with a silky texture and a precise, elegant finish.”
Klet Brda Cellar:
Bagueri Rebula and Bagueri Merlot, both from the 2021 vintage, each received 92 points. Krasno Rebula 2023 earned 93 points, while the standout from the Kleti Brda portfolio was Bagueri Sauvignon Blanc 2021, which achieved an impressive 94 points.
de Baguer Cellar:
de Baguer Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc 2020 and A Plus Belo 2020 each earned 92 points, while de Baguer Merlot-Cabernet Franc 2019 and A Plus Rdeče 2019 were rated an impressive 94 points.
The U.S. market, where Klet Brda has been present for 40 years, remains one of the winery’s most important export destinations, historically accounting for half of its exports. Today, the wines are available in 42 states. Over time, the brand has established a strong presence in the mid-price segment, while the higher-end and premium segment is expanding with de Baguer Cellar wines. In this top tier, price is no barrier for consumers, making premiumization a key focus for the U.S. portfolio.
Maintaining top quality and consistency is fundamental. High scores from respected wine critics make the wines especially attractive to leading American distributors and discerning buyers. In the premium segment, there is also less price sensitivity—a factor of growing importance given recent changes in U.S. customs regulations. Ratings from the influential wine and gastronomy platform JamesSuckling.com provide a strong boost to sales, with wines scoring over 90 points in 2023 and 2024 selling out quickly at Klet Brda.
Read Aldo Fiordelli’s article at the following link: Ode to Freshness: A New Chapter for Brda’s Cool-Climate Wines | JamesSuckling.com
Renowned Italian publication Gambero Rosso, a leading authority in the world of Italian wine and gastronomy, has for the first time included Klet Brda in its prestigious wine guide, Vini d’Italia—the most influential wine guide in Italy. The wine Bagueri Chardonnay Superior 2021 was awarded the top accolade of “Tre Bicchieri”, while Krasno Rebula 2022 earned “Due Bicchieri Rossi”, marking it as a finalist for the highest distinction.
The official awards ceremony took place on October 12, 2025, in Rome.
Italy represents a key export market for Klet Brda, generating over half a million euros in annual revenue. Being featured in Vini d’Italia is a milestone achievement and a prestigious reference that significantly strengthens the winery’s reputation and visibility in the Italian market—particularly in the premium price segment.
The prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), organized by the UK’s leading wine magazine Decanter, has once again confirmed the exceptional quality of Slovenian wines. Now in its 22nd year, this is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition, judged by nearly 250 top wine experts, including 72 Masters of Wine and 22 Master Sommeliers.
This year’s edition also marked the 50th anniversary of Decanter magazine, celebrating five decades of global influence in wine education and appreciation. Trusted by both wine professionals and consumers around the world, DWWA results have become a vital benchmark for quality and consistency in the global wine market.
Slovenia Among the World’s Top Wine Regions
Slovenia stood out once again this year, securing 211 medals, including 13 gold and 75 silver, placing the country among the top 15 nations in the competition.
A significant share of those medals went to Klet Brda and De Baguer Cellar, who together won an impressive 17 medals, the most of any Slovenian winery. These results highlight their consistent quality over the years.
5 Gold Medals for Klet Brda and De Baguer – No Other Winery Did Better
An outstanding 5 out of Slovenia’s 13 gold medals were awarded to wines from these two cellars:
- De Baguer Single Vineyard Merlot 2019 – 96 points
- A Plus Red Special Selection 2019 – 95 points
- De Baguer Merlot – Cabernet Franc 2019 – 95 points
- Krasno Pinot Bianco 2024 – 95 points
- Quercus Pinot Bianco 2024 – 95 points
The De Baguer Single Vineyard Merlot 2019 was also the highest-rated wine from the Brda region. In total, 11 wines from these wineries scored 90 points or more, reinforcing their reputation for top-tier quality.
High Praise for the Quercus Line
The Quercus line, known for its fresh, approachable wines, also made a strong impression. After last year’s Quercus Pinot Grigio 2023 was featured on the Value Gold list (highlighting great wines at accessible prices), this year’s Quercus Pinot Bianco 2024 earned the same distinction – proof that high quality doesn’t have to come at a high price.
“Decanter is one of the world’s most important wine competitions – with more than 17,000 entries, global visibility, and strong influence, especially in English-speaking countries, Western Europe, and the U.S.,” says Darinko Ribolica, Chief Winemaker at Klet Brda. “To receive five gold medals – more than any other winery in the world – is a huge honor. It proves we’ve become a truly respected and prestigious winery. That’s something we’ve worked toward for many years, and we’re proud to maintain that reputation.“
He attributes the success to a combination of key factors: “The Brda terroir is perfect. Our winegrowers are dedicated. The grapes are outstanding. And in the cellar, we know how to bring out their full potential. It’s all about teamwork – from the vineyard to the bottle.“
The list of award-winning wines is available: HERE.
On June 12, 2025, Klet Brda had the honour of participating in the New York edition of Great Wines World 2025, one of the most prominent global wine events, held under the patronage of internationally acclaimed wine critic James Suckling. The event brought together 380 leading wine producers from 55 renowned wine regions and featured over 800 wines. Among the Slovenian representatives were Klet Brda, Marjan Simčič Domaine, and Movia.
James Suckling and his team were particularly impressed during their visit to Brda by the consistent quality across the entire Klet Brda and De Baguer portfolio. Two wines stood out in particular — de Baguer Single Vineyard Motnik 2017 and de Baguer Merlot Single Vineyard Vrh 2019 — both earning an outstanding 94 points. It was precisely this unwavering commitment to excellence that led James Suckling to extend a personal invitation to Klet Brda to present at this prestigious event.
The sold-out tasting, attended by 5,500 guests, was described on JamesSuckling.com as “one of biggest New York editions ever and a huge platform for wine lovers and trade to meet with people shaping the wine world today.”
“James Suckling is unquestionably one of the most influential voices in the world of wine, particularly in the United States — our key export market,” said Darinko Ribolica, Chief Winemaker at Klet Brda. “His high ratings significantly strengthen our presence in the U.S. market. Following such recognition, our wines attract attention from the country’s most prestigious buyers and distributors. The inclusion of three Slovenian wineries at this year’s event also positions Slovenia as one of the top-performing wine-producing countries from the former ‘Eastern bloc’. Based on the response from trade professionals, and despite looming tariff concerns, we anticipate a substantial boost in our North American sales.”
At the event, Klet Brda proudly presented the following wines: Ribolla Gialla Krasno 2022 and de Baguer Merlot Single Vineyard 2020.
At the prestigious 32nd edition of the Chardonnay du Monde international wine tasting in France, Klet Brda’s Bagueri Chardonnay was awarded a silver medal, standing out among 518 samples from 34 countries, judged by 200 international wine experts. Of the 171 medals awarded this year, Klet Brda was the only Slovenian winery to receive recognition.
The Chardonnay du Monde tasting is regarded as one of the world’s leading benchmarks in the wine industry. Klet Brda’s Chardonnays have been consistently recognized at this event, maintaining a tradition of excellence. This year Klet Brda marks a significant milestone – 30 years since first participation and first silver medal at Chardonnay du monde. Since then, Klet Brda has collected 29 medals, proving the consistent excellence of its Chardonnays.
Chardonnay is a grape variety cultivated almost all over the world, known for its remarkable ability to adapt to various climates, terrains, and winemaking techniques. However, the best Chardonnays can only be produced in special terroirs. As British wine expert Dr. Caroline Gilby also emphasizes, the Bagueri Chardonnay from Klet Brda confirms that the hilly vineyards of Brda offer the perfect conditions for producing top-quality Chardonnays.
Aldo Fiordelli, senior editor at JamesSuckling.com and a long-time wine and gastronomy critic for various international organizations, tasted and highly rated five wines from both wineries, Klet Brda and Klet de Baguer, last autumn. The high ratings from the JamesSuckling.com platform are a strong reference for our customers both, abroad and in Slovenia.
Fiordelli awarded 89 points to Bagueri Pinot Grigio Ramato 2022, 91 points to Bagueri Merlot 2020, and 92 points to Krasno Pinot Noir 2021. Krasno Ribolla Gialla 2022 received 93 points, while Fiordelli was most impressed by de Baguer Merlot Single Vineyard Vrh 2019, which he rated with 94 points.
Our story with James Suckling, a prestigious writer in the wine world, dates back to 2023 when we presented the wines of Klet de Baguer to him. At that time, Suckling awarded high ratings to all five presented wines: de Baguer Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc 2017 received 92 points, A Plus White 2017 and de Baguer Merlot-Cabernet Franc 2017 were both awarded 93 points. However, the biggest impression was made by de Baguer Single Vineyard Motnik 2017, which was rated with 94 points. Suckling was particularly impressed with the consistent quality of all the wines presented, as all were rated above 92 points.
It is precisely the consistency in excellence and carefully selected quality of our wines that led James Suckling to his decision to invite Klet Brda to participate in one of the most internationally significant events in the wine industry – The Great Wines of the World New York 2025. At this event, 380 wine producers from 55 different wine regions will be present, showcasing 800 wines. On the second day of the event, June 12th, we will represent Slovenia along with two other Brda wineries, Marjan Simčič Domaine and Movia, as the only representatives of Slovenia. (James Suckling Great Wines World New York 2025 – New York’s Best Wine Tasting )
We are thrilled that renowned figures in the global wine business, such as James Suckling, acknowledge the consistently exceptional quality of Klet Brda’s wines. Ratings from such prestigious institutions undoubtedly enhance the visibility of our wines, serving as a powerful tool for marketing both Klet Brda and Klet de Baguer wines abroad and in Slovenia. This validation from the most discerning wine critics assures buyers and distributors that our wines are a worthy addition to their portfolios, standing alongside the world’s most esteemed brands.
Here are the ratings from Aldo Fiordelli on JamesSuckling.com:
Bagueri Pinot Grigio Ramato 2022 – 89 points
“A classic pinot grigio with a natural copper color. Salt-and-pepper minerality on the nose. Light-bodied with crisp acidity and a tight, almost lean finish. Drink now.“
Bagueri Merlot 2020 – 91 points
“A meaty and savory wine with graphite, plums and touches of leaves and leather on the nose. A firm palate with a medium body and crisp acidity. Chalky tannins in the finish, but crunchy overall. Drink now.“
Krasno Pinot Noir 2021 – 92 points
“A classic pinot noir with savory aromas of boiled beets, strawberries, red cherries, graphite, smoke and woodland. The attack is firm and tight, with ripe, crunchy tannins, a medium body and good length. Drink now.“
Krasno Ribolla Gialla 2022 – 93 points
“A ribolla focused on iodine and salty minerality, with aromas of white pepper, seaweed, broom flowers and a touch of dried mushrooms. The attack is soft and silky, with a light to medium body, cedar flavors and a touch of toastiness enhancing the finish. A gem for its quality-price ratio. Drink now.“
de Baguer Single vineyard Merlot 2019 – 94 points
“A complex, precise and vibrant wine with bright cassis fruit, leather, meat and smoke on the nose. Smooth on the palate, with a medium to full body, lifted refreshing acidity and ripe, velvety tannins. A touch of leafiness enhances the aftertaste, adding another layer. Drink or hold.“
A Year Full of Challenges for winegrowers in Goriška brda
This year was again full of challenges for winegrowers. The year started with heavy rains, followed by a warm spring. Just as the vines began budding, temperatures twice dropped below freezing, with frost on April 21st wiping out crops in the lower-lying vineyards. The weather was also wet and cold during the flowering period, when the vines are most vulnerable. Consequently, pollination was poor, which further contributed to the reduction in yield.
Although the yield was lower, the quality of the grapes is excellent.
High temperatures and humidity created ideal conditions for disease development, making vine protection a major challenge. Local hailstorms in July, followed by drought and temperatures exceeding 24°C in August, also took their toll. All of this resulted in the lowest yield in the past 30 years. Vineyards across Slovenia are facing significantly smaller harvests this year.
Climate change and extreme weather events have become the new reality, which winegrowers and winemakers have been confronting for several years. The vines are resilient, and winegrowers, in collaboration with experts, are finding effective ways to adapt to these challenges. Once again, it has been proven that winegrowers who closely follow the advice of the Klet Brda advisory service and adapt their vineyard practices based on recommendations from winter workshops, experience less yield loss.
QUANTITY AND QUALITY
The vineyard families of Klet Brda produced more than 40% less than expected and about one-third less than the average of the past three years. The smaller yield was caused by spring frost, unfavorable weather during flowering, July hail, drought, and high temperatures.
The smaller crop and dry weather during ripening resulted in excellent grape quality. Virtually the entire harvest meets the highest quality standards.
Among the varieties, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignonasse stand out, both showing pronounced varietal aromas. It is worth noting that Pinot Grigio from the 2023 vintage already stood out with its freshness and intense aromatics. This quality was carefully nurtured by the oenologists and cellar masters, and as a result, the 2023 Quercus Pinot Grigio earned 95 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024, winning one of five Slovenian gold medals.
Despite the extreme weather conditions, Rebula once again proved its dominance in Brda by yielding the best results.
Klet Brda also has high hopes for the red varieties, which, thanks to smaller berries, achieved perfect tannin ripeness, high sugar levels, deep color, and distinctive varietal aromas.
HARVESTING PROCESS
This year, the harvest for base wines for sparkling wines began as early as August 20, the earliest in recent years, and the regular 2024 harvest officially started on August 23rd and concluded on September 19th with the picking of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Grape picking started at dawn, as working past 11 a.m. was impossible due to high temperatures. Klet Brda adjusted its grape reception schedule accordingly.
PRICES
Compared to last year, grape purchase prices will be higher this year.
For the standard program, the average purchase price per kilogram of grapes will be just over €0.90, while for premium programs and selected wines, the price will be at least €1.20. Grapes from the best, specially selected locations that show unique vineyard characteristics in addition to general parameters will be priced at €2.50 and above.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION REMAINS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR THE FUTURE
Sustainable production remains the main guiding principle at Klet Brda. The established system for predicting diseases and pests, along with effective communication between the advisory service and winegrowers, ensures reduced losses and high-quality grapes. Klet Brda will continue organizing winter workshops where winegrowers, in collaboration with experts, seek solutions to the ever-growing challenges of climate change. Key elements include proper soil preparation with the addition of humus, selecting drought-resistant rootstocks, soil cultivation aimed at preserving winter moisture, and training systems adapted to dry and hot summers.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of membership in the world sommelier organization ASI, The association for the development of drinking culture SOMMELIER SLOVENIA held a special celebratory event at Zemono Manor. The guest of honor of this event was the world’s best sommelier, the Latvian Raimonds Tomsons, who also visited the boutique cellar de Baguer, where they tasted the wines that mature in the castle cellar. Among the presented wines, Tomsons was most impressed by the Motnik Single Vineyard Rebula.
Raimonds Tomsons hails from Latvia and has been intensely involved in the sommelier profession for two decades. Despite coming from a distinctly non-wine-producing country, he has achieved remarkable results during this time: he has been a multiple national champion, champion of the Baltic States, the best sommelier of Europe and Africa, took third place at the 2019 world championship, and at last year’s world competition, he won the title of world champion.
The world sommelier champion was introduced to the characteristics of the Brda terroir, which gives a unique character to the wines from Goriška Brda, by oenologist Luka Ribolica and head of sales for HoReCa, Damjan Resnik. During the tasting, special attention was given to the Rebula variety, which with its freshness and minerality, best represents the Brda region.
Rebula particularly intrigued Mr. Tomsons, which he also emphasized in an interview with the journalist from the show Svet on Kanal A.
At the beginning of 2024, a renowned wine critic and the best sommelier in the world in 2018, Eros Teboni, visited Goriška brda. Teboni, who comes from South Tyrol and has been involved in the world of wine since childhood, runs the online portal “The Wine Journal”, where he regularly publishes articles and wine reviews. In doing so, he focuses not only on the most famous wine regions and producers, but also writes about undiscovered pearls of the wine world. The goal of his work is to impart knowledge about the world of wine in an innovative way, and above all to expand the horizons of his loyal followers.
During his visit to Brda and the organized blind tasting, he tasted and evaluated the wines of nine winemakers from Brda, and published the evaluations on his web portal under the heading “Speciale Brda 2024”.
Klet Brda presented itself with five wines from the Krasno and Bagueri Superior lines, which received excellent reviews. Pinot Noir Krasno 2020 scored an enviable 94+/100 points, Chardonnay Bagueri 2019 scored 94/100 points, Merlot Bagueri 2019 93/100 points, Rebula Krasno 2021 was awarded with 91/100 points, while Rebula Bagueri 2020 received 90/100 points.
We are happy that our wines received high marks at the evaluation, which shows that with a professional approach, respect for tradition and, last but not least, innovative views on wine production, we offer wine enthusiasts wines of the highest quality.
The gastronomic line of Krasno wines includes fresh and fruity-smelling wines that go perfectly with various dishes. In them you will taste all the characteristics of an exceptional wine region. It is also a beautiful tribute to the village of the same name located higher up in Brda, where the vineyards are particularly steep and produce magnificent wines.
The collection of prestigious wines with a 30-year tradition, BAGUERI Superior, includes unique, wood-matured still wines of the super premium segment, which move milestones in the production of structured wines. In them, we feel both the personal note of the oenologist as well as the specifics of the individual year and the exceptional growing area. We grow them with great care, in old vineyards, in the best locations in Brda.
