Marof Winery

Prekmurje is the flat northeastern corner of Slovenia, beyond the Mura river, where the landscape opens out into the Pannonian plain, and where the gentle slopes of the hills at the edge, such as those of Goričko and Lendava, are planted with vineyards. The climate is continental, with hot summers, cold winters and enough rainfall to suit fresh, aromatic white wines. Marof Winery is one of the best known names in the region, an estate that has grown up around an old agricultural holding and combines historic buildings with a modern cellar. It is located near Mačkovci, in a quiet, rural setting of fields and vines, and it is a convenient stop on a drive through the region.

The estate is particularly associated with Sauvignon Blanc, a variety that does well in the cool nights and warm days of the area and produces wines of vivid aroma and clean acidity. Different styles are made, from fresh, fruit-driven wines meant for early drinking to richer ones that are aged in oak and develop more complexity. The winery also makes other wines, including Muscat, whose aromatic, floral character suits a lighter style, as well as a range of other whites and reds that show the variety of Prekmurje soils. Tasting here lets you compare styles from a single producer, and the staff are happy to explain how the vineyard site, the harvest and the cellar choices shape each wine.

The setting is pleasant, with vineyards stretching around the winery, a terrace for sitting outside in good weather and an elegant tasting room for cooler days. Tastings are often accompanied by local delicacies, which gives a taste of Prekmurje's cuisine, so you can try wine with typical dishes of the region. Opening hours are set by the winery and may change, with limited hours on weekdays and Saturdays and closures on other days, so it is best to contact them in advance and to book for groups.

Marof is a natural part of a wider tour of Prekmurje. Its neighbours in the region's attractions include Plečnik's church in Bogojina, the Floating mills on Mura river, Thermal Springs in Prekmurje and Spa Resorts in Prekmurje, along with local food such as Bograč, Prekmurska Gibanica and Vanilla Ice Cream With Pumpkin Seed Oil. Local Festivals And Markets Celebrating Pannonian Culture, Ponds, Storks, Vast Corn Fields and Winding Rivers all belong to the landscape.

It suits wine lovers and travellers who like quiet countryside. Prekmurje’s wine scene is quiet and welcoming, and Marof, sometimes spelled Mackovci in ASCII for its village, is a good Slovenian address. Visitors who come on a weekday should call ahead. It is one of Slovenia’s better-known cellars in the northeast.