Slovenia's Štajerska named Europe's best wine region for 2027
The northeastern Slovenian region of Štajerska has been named the Best Wine Region in Europe for 2027 by the travel and culture organisation European Best Destinations (EBD).
Štajerska came on top of a shortlist of twelve regions that best combine wine, culture, nature and travel, coming ahead of Italy's Langhe-Roero-Monferrato and Ribeira Sacra in Spain, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.
EBD picked the dozen finalists after surveying more than 90 leading wine territories, assessing wine quality alongside the overall visitor experience. Criteria included heritage, grape and wine diversity, wine tourism, landscapes, gastronomy, hospitality, sustainability, local character and accessibility.
Štajerska won an overall score of 19.5 out of 20, alongside a 9.8 out of 10 for wine experience excellence. The organisation specifically highlighted Štajerska as Europe's most promising cool-climate wine region.
The region's appeal is anchored in highly specific historical assets. These include the world's oldest noble grapevine located in the city of Maribor, a sparkling wine tradition in Gornja Radgona dating back to 1852, and Slovenia's oldest preserved vintage wine, bottled in Ptuj in 1917.
Presenting the title at an event in Maribor, EBD Director Maximilien Lejeune said Štajerska "represents exactly what today's travellers in Europe are increasingly looking for: authenticity, exceptional landscapes, centuries of wine culture, top-tier expertise and, above all, a very strong regional identity."
Nataša Ritonija, director of the Podravje Maribor Regional Development Agency, said the award validated a four-year push to bring together the region's diverse offerings.
"Štajerska is more than a tourist destination," Ritonija said; "It is a place of people, stories, tradition, and a unique intertwining of city, nature, wine and gastronomy. We view this title as recognition for the entire region and everyone who co-creates it every day."
The region's first-place ranking was also highlighted in a Forbes International feature, a move local officials expect will significantly boost Slovenia's growing profile as a premier global destination for culinary and wine tourism.
The latest recognition comes after Maribor was named the Best Wine Capital in Europe for 2026 and Štajerska was voted Europe's third most desirable destination to travel this year.
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