Vinski Univerzum 2025 celebrates 10 years – on Wednesday Grand Hotel Union hosted Slovenia's largest youth wine education event

Ljubljana, 17 December 2025 – On Wednesday, Vinski Univerzum 2025 took place at Grand Hotel Union, the 10th anniversary edition of Slovenia's largest youth wine education festival. For a decade, the event has connected young winemakers, young wine lovers and young experts under the theme "young people for young people", actively contributing to the development of wine culture among younger generations.

In numbers – Vinski Univerzum 2025

This year's edition was co-created by:

• 63 young winemakers
  • 62 from Slovenia and 1 from Austria
• all 9 Slovenian wine-growing districts were represented
• 59 family winemakers and 3 larger Slovenian wineries
• more than 800 visitors, mostly young people up to 30
• a professional programme with tastings, 6 workshops and an official wine judging
• an anniversary VIP protocol wine and culinary masterclass for project partners

Young winemakers as bearers of knowledge

What makes Vinski Univerzum special is that young winemakers are not only exhibitors but also lecturers. The festival featured an extensive series of short professional sessions in which young winemakers explained topics to visitors in an accessible way, such as:

• modern vinification approaches and different wine styles
• fermentation, maceration, pet-nat and sparkling wines
• sustainable and organic production
• indigenous varieties and the influence of terroir
• the impact of climate change on production and wine style

This is a direct transfer of knowledge from vineyards and cellars, from young creators to young visitors.

PROFESSIONAL WINE JUDGING AT VINSKI UNIVERZUM 2025

A special professional highlight of the anniversary edition was the official Vinski Univerzum 2025 wine judging, held on 10 December 2025 at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and organised by Nik Mahnič. The judging again confirmed that young winemakers in Slovenia achieve exceptionally high quality and a diversity of styles.

The judging included 70 wine samples from young winemakers in 10 categories. The wines were assessed by a 7-member expert panel (Dejan Bavčar, Blaž Pečarič, Jernej Martinčič, Luka Ribolica, Tamara Rusjan, Marko Breznik and Bernarda Žitko), and the results show an exceptionally high level of quality:

• 31 gold medals (44.3%)
• 36 silver medals (51.4%)
• 3 bronze medals (4.3%)
• no samples eliminated
• highest average score: 89.40 points

As many as 95.7% of all wines received a medal, an exceptional result and clear proof of the professional maturity of the young generation of winemakers.

CATEGORY WINNERS – VINSKI UNIVERZUM 2025

Based on the judging, four category winners were announced, from among whom the judging champion, the highest-rated dry wine, was also chosen.

SPARKLING WINES

Winner: Matic Gjerkeš – Posestvo Gjerkeš (Prekmurje)
Matic Gjerkeš is one of the most promising young winemakers in north-eastern Slovenia.

FRESH WHITE WINES

Winner: Nik Jarkovič – Jarkovič Gadova Peč (Dolenjska)
Young winemaker Nik Jarkovič successfully proves that top fresh white wines can also be made in the Cviček region.

AGED WHITE WINES

Winner: Nik Jarkovič – Jarkovič Gadova Peč (Dolenjska)
The Jarkovič Gadova Peč winery also proved its mastery of ageing white wines.

ZRELA RDEČA VINA & CHAMPION

Category winner and champion:
Kmetija Jogan – Julija in Adrian Jogan (Slovenska Istra)

The winning red wine by young winemakers Julija and Adrian Jogan achieved the highest score of the entire judging and became the Vinski Univerzum 2025 champion.

As champion, Kmetija Jogan also received a rich prize package, which includes:

• a new Kärcher K5 pressure washer (Kärcher Slovenija)
• an appearance at the Slovenian Wine Festival (Proevent)
• professional Venuo software
• unique Špenko wooden wine gift boxes
• exclusive media interviews in the magazines Vino, Kmečki glas, Finance – o vinu, GoodLife, Na lepše (RTV Slovenija) and other media

The Vinski Univerzum wine judging is thus increasingly establishing itself as a serious professional platform, offering young winemakers not only awards but also concrete support with recognition, professional growth and entry into the wider wine world.

WINEMAKERS

Vinski Univerzum featured 63 young winemakers aged 18 to 35, representing a new generation of Slovenian winemaking. The event connected creators from all Slovenian wine-growing districts and offered a comprehensive insight into the diversity of approaches, styles and terroirs of the young wine scene.

Geographically, the winemakers came from all wine-growing lands: 3 from Bela krajina, 1 from Bizeljsko–Sremič, 13 from Dolenjska, 6 from Goriška Brda, 2 from Kras, 2 from Prekmurje, 12 from Slovenian Istria, 14 from Štajerska and 9 from Vipavska dolina. One winemaker from Austrian Styria added an international touch to the event.

The presence of young winemakers from different backgrounds, with different production philosophies and levels of experience, confirms that Vinski Univerzum is not just an event but a platform for long-term development, professional dialogue and visibility of the future bearers of Slovenian winemaking.

The make-up of the participating winemakers confirms the vitality and wide regional spread of Slovenia's young wine scene. Generational and regional diversity is thus one of the core values of Vinski Univerzum, encouraging professional exchange, connections between wine-growing districts and a stronger shared identity among young winemakers.

Young winemakers' round tables by region

In the last two months before the festival, the Vinski Univerzum team and young winemakers held a series of regional round tables aimed at connecting young winemakers, sharing experience, strengthening the community and coordinating content for the event. Besides winemakers, members of the organising team and project ambassadors also attended, enabling comprehensive dialogue and closer cooperation.

The round tables took place in individual wine-growing districts and were hosted by winemakers: Simon Pribac in Slovenian Istria, Marko Breznik in Štajerska Slovenija, Roman Marc in Vipavska dolina, Nika and Neja Martinčič in Dolenjska, Blaž Pečarič in Bela krajina, Amadej Kobal in Kras and Leon Zarova in Goriška Brda.

At the regional round tables, together with the winemakers, we took an important step forward in connecting the community in the long term. In each region we chose a round table coordinator who will look after further meetings, shape the agenda, strengthen the local community and coordinate connections among young winemakers across Slovenia.

PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS

More than 180 participants (more than 20% of all visitors)

An important part of this year's Vinski Univerzum 2025 was the additional professional workshop programme, attended by more than 180 visitors, more than 20% of all festival participants. The workshops were designed to be practical, dynamic and highly interactive, so many ran longer than planned, from 45 minutes up to 1.5 hours, due to the audience's exceptional interest and questions.

The programme was led by top young experts and well-known mentors:

• Anže Repovž (one of the youngest and most successful sommeliers in Slovenia) led the workshops Slovenian indigenous varieties and Sauvignon Masterclass
• Simona Česen (Slovenian national sommelier champion 2025) led the workshop Basic wine etiquette
• the workshop Wine marketing was led by Peter Gönc (Ana Selection)
• the workshop Sparkling wines was co-created by three winemakers from different regions: Valdhuber, Frelih and Sanabor
• the workshop Basic tastes in wine was led by Brina Robinik Kobal (also known as private chef "Brina kuha") and Domen Makar (Pen Club Restaurant)

The workshops further confirmed that young visitors are extremely eager for knowledge and that Vinski Univerzum is not only a tasting festival but also a strong "young people for young people" educational platform.

VIP WINE AND CULINARY MASTERCLASS – FOR PARTNERS

The central protocol event of the anniversary edition was the VIP wine and culinary masterclass, which presented all the winning wines of the official Vinski Univerzum 2025 judging, carefully paired with a 3-course menu.

The masterclass was co-created by:

• Vanesa Centrih, level 3 sommelier (Vila Planinka) – guided wine pairing
• Sanja Belac, a promising young chef from a family restaurant on Pag (Starac i more)
• Brina Robinik Kobal (young private chef Brina Kuha) – dessert
• Grand Hotel Union chef Janez Dolšak and team

Service at the masterclass was led by the young team of Hotel Bohinj: Jan Markelj, Ana Zalokar and Marjeta Mikelj, with Sara Lesar representing the Bled Higher Vocational School.

For the 10th anniversary, the VIP gathering also brought together Vinski Univerzum alumni, the winemakers who started the project and the alumni team (Špela Štokelj, Uroš Strojanovrič, Matej Rogelja, Stane Dević, Miha Škrokov), led by Rado Stojanović, one of the key co-creators at the beginning of VU. The VIP masterclass was hosted by well-known RTV presenter Seku Mande Conde.

Protocol guests and support

The event was attended by representatives of the media, institutions, partners and the parents of the volunteers who organise Vinski Univerzum. Guests of honour included the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Mateja Čalušić, whose address emphasised the importance of young winemakers, their innovation and a responsible attitude to agricultural land and Slovenian viticultural heritage. Also present were the Slovenian Wine Queen Nina Polanec and many other queens.

Special thanks go to Grand Hotel Union, which hosted Vinski Univerzum again after more than 7 years. The organisers are especially grateful to the hotel's director, Magdalena Oubina, and her team for their trust, support and understanding of the importance of events that guide wine culture among young people towards a professional, safe and responsible experience.

PARTNERS

The event's general sponsors were the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia and Grand Hotel Union, whose support contributed significantly to realising the vision and delivering a high-quality event.

Among the gold sponsors, the event was supported by Radenska, whose recognition and long tradition further enriched the event's overall image.

Silver sponsors were Colnar, Hotel Katrca, Proevent d.o.o., Pekarna Grosuplje & Don Don, Rodica, Strim Plus, Tista cvetličarna, Žito d. d., Venuo and Kärcher. Their support was key to ensuring smooth organisation and a high standard of delivery.

The event was also supported by many bronze sponsors, including Woodstory by Slavko, the Slovenian Istria Winegrowers' Association, Edi Simčič Wines, Plahuta Organic Farm, Gostinstvo in turizem Breznik, Pomurski sejem, TO DO Trgovina, Sommelier Slovenije, Ščurek Wines, Špenko Wooden Boxes, Vina Pribac, Vina Marc, Vinska klet Pečarič, Vina Martinčič, Vinska klet Mihelj, Vina Kobal, Vina Sanabor, Zarova, Valdhuber Vina and the student organisations ŠOUP, ŠOUM, ŠOS and ŠOU. Their varied support contributed significantly to the breadth of the event's content and partnerships.

Dvorni Bar and Vinoteka Koper – Buteljka also took part as supporters of the event.

THE VOLUNTEER TEAM – THE HEART OF VINSKI UNIVERZUM

Vinski Univerzum is essentially a volunteer project, created with the energy, dedication and heart of young people. The event is organised entirely by a volunteer team that builds the programme throughout the year, connects winemakers, partners, ambassadors and visitors, and delivers the event on the day.

Core organising team

Janez Kajzer looked after all logistics before and during the event, as well as the financial side of Vinski Univerzum, ensuring all organisational processes ran smoothly and resources were managed effectively.

Brina Jakomin was responsible for coordinating the winemakers and welcoming them at the event. Through strong organisation and communication skills, they made sure the winemakers felt welcome and that cooperation ran smoothly.

Nik Mahnič led the organisation of the wine judging and ensured the professionalism, transparency and smooth running of the judging process, an important professional part of the event.

Nika Peklar looked after partnerships and relations with partners at the event, building and maintaining long-term cooperation and ensuring a quality experience for all partners.

Maša Medica was responsible for advertising the event and public relations, leading media communication, organising the press conference and ensuring the event's overall graphic identity and visibility.

Vanesa Centrih organised the workshops and led the wine pairing at the VIP dinner, contributing significantly to the quality of the content and the experience of the event.

Ela Kovač coordinated the faculty ambassadors in ticket sales and ensured effective promotion of the event among students.

Katrin Kostanjšek prepared the opening programme and hosted the opening of the event, ensuring a professional and engaging start to Vinski Univerzum.

Jerica Štemberger looked after ticket sales and led visitor reception at the event, ensuring an orderly welcome and a good visitor experience.

The team was led by Aleš Rodica, head of Vinski Univerzum, who coordinated the work of the organising team and looked after the overall vision and successful delivery of the event.

Winemaker co-organisers

Besides the core team, many young winemakers took part in preparing and delivering the event, actively helping with organisation, logistics and on-site support in addition to presenting their wines. Among them:

• Slovenian Istria: Simon Pribac, Neja Mihelj, Rok Rodica, Martin Plahuta, Val Rojac
• Vipavska dolina: Žan Bric, Domen Ferjančič, Roman Marc, Vid Krapež
• Kras: Gaber Kobal, Amadej Kobal, Petra Sanabor
• Goriška Brda: Nejc Ščurek, Uma Skrinjer, Leon Peršolja, Sara Peršolja
• Dolenjska: Janez Colnar, Jože Švirt, Neja Martinčič, Nika Martinčič
• Bela krajina: Blaž Pečarič
• Štajerska Slovenija: Patrik Gaube, Žiga Šerbinek, Marko Breznik, Adam Valdhuber
• Prekmurje: Matic Gjerkeš

Network of faculty ambassadors

An important part of the project is the faculty ambassadors, who connected students and handled communication and promotion of the event at individual faculties. This year there were as many as 35, including:

Nika Martinčič, Žana Logar, Neja Mihelj, Uma Skrinjer, Januš Kovič, Aleks Vincek, Sara Novak, Anja Štemberger, Jerica Štemberger, Evelin Krkovič, Agnes Kresevič, Zoja Lovrak, Tomaž Ogrič, Luka Golob, Srna Anastasovska, Sara Germovšek, Vid Horvat, Anja Tamše, Aljaž Ravnikar, Patricija Oblak, Lara Kalin, Mia Žele, Matija Leban, Amadej Hudohmet, Urška Juršak, Jurij Brumec and others.

Altogether, more than 60 volunteers co-create Vinski Univerzum, proving through their work that with knowledge, responsibility and cooperation young people can create projects of national importance and build wine culture in Slovenia for the long term.