Ljubljana: Wine Tasting in Castle Cellar & Slovenian Appetizers

Summary

Slovenian wines, laughter in the castle cellar, new flavors and stories

You’ll wander into Ljubljana Castle’s old wine cellar for two hours of tasting seven Slovenian wines with a local guide. Expect laughter over mispronounced names, small bites of cheese and olives, and playful games that make learning easy. You’ll leave with new favorites—and maybe a story or two you didn’t expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the echo—our footsteps bouncing off the old stone as we followed Ana down into the wine cellar beneath Ljubljana Castle. It smelled faintly of earth and something sweet, maybe from the barrels or maybe just my imagination running wild. Ana grinned at us and waved her hands over seven bottles lined up on a battered wooden table, each one from a different corner of Slovenia. She asked if anyone could pronounce “Cviček”—I tried and got it wrong (she laughed, not unkindly).

We started with a white that tasted like apples after rain—crisp but soft somehow. There was bread to soak it up, little bowls of walnuts and cheese, olive oil that smelled green. The group was small: two couples from Germany, an older Slovenian man who knew every vineyard story by heart, and me. Ana told us about her uncle’s harvests in Primorska; she made us guess which wine came from volcanic soil (I guessed wrong again). Someone joked about failing “Slovenian wine school.”

I liked how casual it felt—no pressure to say clever things about tannins or swirl your glass just right. We played a game where you had to match wine to region on a map (harder than it sounds after three glasses). At some point I stopped worrying about getting things right and just listened to everyone’s stories. The cellar was cool but not cold; my cheeks were warm anyway. I still think about that last red—dark berries, almost peppery—and how Ana winked when she poured it, like she knew it would surprise me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Interactive wine tasting in Ljubljana

• Arrive at castle's wine cellar
• Taste 7 finest Slovenian wines
• Learn must-know wine facts
• Play wine-related games
• Solve wine challenges
• Enjoy appetizers with tasting

Top questions

How long does the Ljubljana wine tasting last?

The wine tasting experience lasts up to 2 hours.

How many wines do you taste during this tour?

You’ll taste 7 top Slovenian wines from different regions.

Are food pairings included in the tasting?

Yes, appetizers like bread, olives, cheese, walnuts, and Slovenian oil are included.

Is this Ljubljana wine tasting suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s interactive and fun—no prior wine knowledge is needed.

Is the tour led by a local expert?

Yes, a local wine expert guides you through each tasting.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is provided; public transport options are nearby.

Can pregnant travelers join this tour?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What is the minimum drinking age for this experience?

The minimum age is 18 years old.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided tasting of seven regional Slovenian wines inside Ljubljana Castle’s historic cellar, plus delicious appetizers—bread, olives, cheese, walnuts—with plenty of stories shared by your local wine expert before you head back out into the city.