Dedna gora and the KOZINC family
Our beginnings
The first vines were planted in the soil where today the vineyards adorn our home in Dedna Gora, centuries ago. Drago, along with his wife Zdenka, continued the winemaking tradition of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and in 1987, he planted his first 700 vines. The parents passed on their love, knowledge, and passion for nurturing the vineyards to their children, Sabina and David. They taught them how to live and respect nature!
Years later, when his father completely trusted him, David wanted to create a different story. He sought inspiration in the French vineyards of the Loire Valley, but he believed most in the local Dolenjska "terroir".
Property of Dedna Gora
The vineyards are located on Dedna Gora. Here, 35,000 vines are planted on 10 hectares. The elevation of the vineyards ranges from 350 to 500 meters. The soil is very demanding. First, there is a thin layer of clay, marl, and sandstone, and just below the surface, we quickly encounter hard limestone bedrock, which is present throughout our entire estate. The conditions for vine growth are challenging, and if the vine wants to survive in this shallow soil, it must struggle. The vines are planted very densely, resulting in a low burden on the vines themselves. Consequently, the grape yield is low, but the quality is significantly higher.
Our vineyards adorn the homestead on all sides of the sky, offering us a rich diversity that is one of our main advantages.
Local varieties: rumeni plavec, žametna črnina, frankinja
International varieties: chardonnay, sauvignon, laški rizling, rumeni muškat, modri pinot
Meet the winemaker
who is one of the most recognizable representatives of the new generation of Dolenjska winemakers.
David Kozinc, oenologist
Age: 40 years
Experience: 20 years
What he says: "When we planted our first larger vineyards in 2001 and 2002, to be honest, I never imagined that wine would one day become a part of my daily life, my passion, and my love. Together with my family, we carefully nurtured and tended to our young vines, which slowly grew and became larger and stronger."
"With my family, we carefully nurtured and tended to our young vines, which slowly grew and became larger and stronger. I too grew day by day alongside them, feeling an increasing connection to nature and a determination that viticulture is what I want to do in life. The decision to study agronomy in Maribor at that time was certainly the right one. In my final year, I decided to do an internship in the vineyards of the French region of Saumur Champigny in the Loire Valley, where I gained invaluable experience and completely fell in love with wine. Upon returning home, I took over the management of the winery from my father in the same year, 2007. I placed a strong emphasis on our vineyards and, based on our 'terroir,' began to shape the style of wines for which we have the best potential.".
The result is elegant, fresh wines and sparkling wines with the stamp of the environment and tradition of the Dolenjska terroir..
Today, an important part of our winemaking story is contributed by my wife Taja, with whom I also care for the future of our business, as we have created two wonderful little girls. Our firstborn, Zara, after whom we named our first rosé sparkling wine at her birth, loves to watch the work in the cellar, while little Sofija prefers to observe the work in the vineyard."
Sparkling wines produced using the classic traditional method.
Property of Dedna Gora
Meet the remaining team members
Drago Kozinc
Estate Manager
The heart and soul of our vineyard estate. With a love for the land and the vine, it takes care of every detail in the vineyard and gives it its unique stamp. It dedicates itself to the work among the vines, monitors the wine production process, and creates an authentic experience for our customers.
Zdenka Kozinc
Versatile
The right hand and heart of our everyday life. It takes care of everything that often remains hidden from view, yet is crucial for the smooth operation of the estate. Its dedication and precision are what truly keep our estate alive and harmonious.
Taja Kozinc
Brand Manager
With a passion for authentic stories and an exceptional attention to detail, we ensure that our values and vision reach every guest and wine lover. With ideas that combine tradition and modern approaches, our estate is positioned on the map as a destination for premium wines and genuine hospitality.
Primož Andolšek
Enology assistant
New member of our team, who dedicates themselves to helping both in the vineyard and in the winery. They ensure a smooth workflow, monitor the wine production processes, and contribute to making sure that every drop reflects the effort and love for our estate.