Repnice Najger

Repnice are among the most distinctive features of the landscape around Pišece and Bizeljsko, a wine district in Posavje, in the south-east of Slovenia, close to the Croatian border. The word comes from repa, the turnip, because these cellars were first dug to store turnips and other root crops through the winter. The local rock is a soft sandy stone that can be cut by hand, and over generations farmers excavated tunnels and chambers into the hillsides, which stay at a steady, cool temperature all year round and so keep vegetables from freezing in winter or spoiling in summer. Hundreds of such cellars survive, and they are recognised as an important element of the region's cultural heritage.

As agriculture changed, many repnice were turned to a second use as wine cellars. The same stable temperature and humidity that preserved turnips are ideal for storing and ageing wine, and the dark, cool chambers became places where families kept their barrels and bottles. Some are used for sparkling wine, for which the district has a growing reputation, and many are now open to visitors for tastings. The walls and ceilings are rough and uneven, showing the marks of picks and shovels, and some have niches for candles or racks cut into the sand, which give them a handmade feel that is quite unlike a modern cellar.

Repnice Najger is one of the family cellars where visitors can see this tradition at first hand. The hosts, the Najger family, show visitors their cellar and explain how it was dug and used, and they serve wines made from the surrounding hills, often including whites and sparkling wines typical of the area. Tastings are accompanied by simple local food, and the experience is relaxed and personal, with plenty of time to ask questions about winegrowing and the changing life of the village. The cool air in the cellar is refreshing in summer, so bring a jacket, since temperatures are much lower than outside.

The landscape above the cellars is as attractive as the cellars themselves. Gentle hills covered with vineyards and orchards, scattered farmhouses and views toward the Gorjanci make for pleasant walks and bike rides, and nearby producers such as Istenič, known for sparkling wines, and Keltis offer more tastings. The medieval castle of Pišece stands on a hill nearby, and the villages of Bizeljsko and Podčetrtek can be reached by car. Visits are best arranged in advance, especially for groups, and a designated driver is advisable.