Bliss State: Batic Wines - Natural AND Organic

With Miha Batic and Batic's Rose

I don't usually blog about foreign wines, since my aim is to promote the local organic and biodynamic wines of California (and the Northwest) but that's certainly not to say I don't enjoy wines from other regions.

The burgeoning natural wine movement here is making some exceptional wines, sometimes using organically grown grapes (though they are often not certified). I hope to see them move more into certified sources as we the consumers do our part to move the growers, vintners and industry in that direction.

It was a great pleasure to taste the natural, organic wines from a very old  winery and vineyards in Slovenia, an important place in wine history, since the wines of Slovenia tell us a great deal about how wines from the past taste - in addition to being fantastic wines you will be sure to want to try. Batic was founded in 1594. The wines are mouthfilling, flavorful, and decidedly unlike anything from the U.S.

I'd say the patrons of Punchdown were fairly unanimous in falling in love with the wines of Batic (located in the Vipava Valley). Wednesday we also got extra tastes of the Pinot Gris and a blow-you-away red dessert wine Valentino.

I have already posted the list of wines in the tasting, but just so you know, the Batic flight will continue to be offered at Punchdown so if you haven't tried to taste the past in the present, there's still time.

Batic is distributed here by Blue Danube Wines. You can purchase the wines at Punchdown or online Blue Danube Wines.

Slovenian Wine Flight at Punchdown in Oakland - 5/25 (Wed.)

Last minute notice from Punchdown - rare opportunity to taste Slovenian wines, a region famous for its tradition of making natural wines:


"Please join us on Wednesday May 25^th from 6-9 PM as The Punchdown welcomes Miha Batič of Batič Winery from the Vipava Valley, Slovenia. Miha runs the Batič Winery (and farm), which places a special emphasis on natural production and maintaining traditions inherited from a winemaking legacy dating back to 1592! The Batič Winery is exemplary for creating pure, natural wines reflecting a sense of place!

The cost of the flight is $25 for members of the mailing list, Facebook fans, & Twitter followers (just tell me on flight night)!  $30 for everyone else - and consists of four two ounce tastes (possibly a surprise bonus as well!). All wines are available by the glass & retail while supply lasts. These are special prices for flight night only!

-2010 Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon $12 per glass / $23 retail bottle

-2009 Rebula $12 per glass / $23 retail bottle

-2008 Cabernet Franc $14 per glass / $30 retail bottle

-2009 Zaria (55% Pinela, 20% Zelen, 10% Rebula, 8% Vitovska, 4% Klarnica) 

(“Zaria” translates to “dawn” as in a new dawn to an ancient wine culture. It is a true orange wine where all the varietals are co-fermented on the skins.) $18 per glass / $38 retail bottle

Come on down to The Punchdown this Wednesday, May 25^th for a chance to taste the wines of Batič Winery and meet the man behind them! Let’s take a little voyage to Slovenia ...  one sip at a time!"

I looked up the winery on Google and found this writeup online as well as these tasting notes.

More about the Vipava Valley.

Vipava Valley is in the southwest corner of Slovenia, close to the Adriatic.