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Every year an increasing number of winegrowers decide to promote their products on a more sophisticated level within organised cultural and other promotional events following the examples of successful winegrowing regions of Italy and other places in Slovenia. With this in mind, winemakers and olive oil producers of the Koper winegrowing region will hold a very successful event called "Od kantine do torkle" (From Wine Cellar to Oil Mill) for the second year in a row to exhibit local products to as many visitors as the town can take in; the event itself is a veritable day of culture, wine and olive, and everyone is kindly invited to attend the two events held on 24th May (based on the 36th Holiday of Refošk taking place between 23rd and 25th May at Merezige) and 8th November that will be based on the celebration of martinovanje (St. Martin's Day).

Last year's event - well attended by visitors, winemakers and olive oil producers alike - was a resounding success which showed that the region had a lot to offer; the organisers have therefore decided not only to repeat the event in 2008, but to repeat it twice. Approximately 35 wine cellars and oil mills participated in the event last year together with 43 independent winemakers and olive oil producers and six other officers. Between 550 and 700 people visited wine cellars and oil mills, with more than 200 visitors visiting other offerers, organised lectures and workshops. The event "The Conferring of the Mayor's Wine", which was accompanied by a classical concert, was visited by 500 visitors and featured various winemakers and olive oil producers. This year's event, however, promises to be even bigger; the visitor will be able to visit up to four wine cellars or oil mills on one participant fee payment.

The aim of the event is to increase the recognition of winemakers and olive oil producers of the municipality of Koper and broader Slovenian Istria, as well as offering the consumer a chance to visit a wine cellar, which, however, is not the easiest thing in the world since many winemakers do not promote and sell their products directly at home. The event itself is also a promotion of the tourist offer of the municipality and a chance for possible intermediaries like tourist agencies and accommodation providers to integrate and cooperate among themselves.

Koper winegrowing region

A land of the vine and olive, Slovenian Istria is the warmest part of Slovenia wrapped up in a sub-Mediterranean climate offering ideal conditions for the growth of numerous Mediterranean cultures; more than one third of Slovenian vineyards have found their place here, which is understandable since Koper enjoys sunny Mediterranean
climate under which the grape ripens much quicker than elsewhere in Slovenia. The region's most important agricultural activity - the cultivation of wine and olive - is no longer an exclusive domain of the older generation, but sees an increasing number of young people every year continue this tradition.

The winegrowing region of Slovenian Istria is noted for the richness and fullness of its red and white wines. The land offers favourable conditions for the growth of an autochthonous vine that yields the cream of the crop among its best red wines - Refošk. The contents of this wine are said to boost one's health, therefore it comes as no surprise that the wine has always been linked to strengthening one's health and making people look younger. Refošk's polyphenol content prevents cardiovascular diseases while the milk acid in it has a positive effect on digestion. Refošk is thus the most widely cultivated wine of the region and comes in two varieties: coastal Refošk contains slightly fewer acids, is more mature and richer in colour than its continental sibling, which in turn is heavier, contains more acids and has a more pronounced taste.

Other popular red wines include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, while among white wines Malvazija and Yellow Muscat are particularly noted, with many cellars in Istria offering Grey Pinot and Chardonnay as well; all typical Istrian wines can be enjoyed in numerous wine cellars along the marked wine trail or at a gostilna.

Interesting to see

Koper's most prominent architectural monument lending the town its characteristic appearance is the Pretorska Palace. The building itself derives its present-day appearance from the mid 15th century when semicircular Renaissance windows were built into the main frontage upon which decorations with inscriptional stones, statues and coats of arms can still be seen.

Another characteristic landmark of Koper is also a well-known Roman church of the Holy Trinity dating from the 12th century; the church - listed on the World Cultural Heritage Site - is built on a rock elevation above the Hrastovlje village surrounded by walls with two fortified towers testifying to the fact that the church itself was once a fort. The church's internal walls are covered with frescoes, including the fresco depicting the Dance of Death (Mrtvaški ples), which ranks among the top medieval wall paintings in Slovenia.

At the Prešeren square stands the 1666 Da Ponte Well; an eight cornered pool surrounded by 15 small pillars, which bear the marks of Koper's aristocratic families that donated the money for the well's construction, was ordered to be built by the Maecenas Lorenzo de Ponte. The well was used all the way up to the end of the 19th century and is now a cultural monument.

The Carli Palace - the birthplace of Gian Rinaldo Carli, the encyclopaedist and one of the most important locals in the history of the town - stands in that part of the Župančič street which features 18th and 19th-century buildings and reveals many gothic features.

Koper and its many landmarks

Koper (Capodistria in Italian) is the sixth largest town in Slovenia in which two official languages (Slovene and Italian) are spoken. The town is home to an international port Luka Koper and enjoys a Mediterranean climate which sees long and hot summers, mild winters and occasional strong winds. The oldest settlement of the Koper Island dates back to Roman times and speaks of the town's long and varied history, preserved in the form of many old palaces and other buildings that seem to belong to other times and exhibit that intriguing old world charm.

The town, however, is not without its modern part; many modern buildings such as the vast Luže complex, a new business centre and new suburban residential quarters have significantly altered the town's appearance, yet that old world charm has luckily not yet faded away - the historical town centre featuring a number of important cultural monuments has preserved much of its medieval charm and is, at least for now, still successfully withstanding the test of time.