Wine Tasting in Underground Fortress, Idrija Hills

Taste wines underground in a wartime fortress surrounded by mountain meadows

Wine tasting in an underground fortress in the Idrija hills pairs five wines (Slovenian or world selections) with local cheeses, cured meats and homemade bread, all sourced from nearby farms. A third-level sommelier leads the two-hour tasting in one of three fortifications built by the Italian army between the world wars. The experience suits anyone 18 and older. A live guide speaks English, Croatian or Serbian.

The experience

You arrive at House On The Hill, a property on the Idrijske Krnice plateau at 1,000 meters altitude, surrounded by pristine meadows. The three underground fortifications built into the hillside between the First and Second World Wars are part of the Alpine Wall: military architecture most travelers never get to enter, let alone taste wine inside. The sommelier greets you and leads you into the second fort, the tasting room carved into the stone.

The tasting unfolds in two stages. First you taste young cheeses paired with fresh wines the sommelier has selected. Then you move to mature and aged cheeses matched with cold cuts and fuller wines. Across the two hours, you taste five wines total. Every ingredient comes from nearby farms (local cheeses, local salami, homemade bread), so the pairing is rooted in what grows and is made in this corner of Slovenia. You choose at the start whether you want to taste Slovenian wines or world selections. The sommelier builds the pairing around your choice.

The setting itself is the draw. The fortress is real military history, not a museum display, and tasting wine in a room carved from wartime stone changes how the experience lands. The third fort on the property remains closed to visitors. A deliberate mystery the operator keeps.

What’s included

• Five wines (Slovenian or world selections, your choice).
• young and mature cheeses.
• cured meats.
• homemade bread.
• all sourced from nearby farms.
• sommelier-led tasting and pairing guidance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Croatian and Serbian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Dionysos wine tasting

Is this one for you?If you're staying in the Idrija area or have an afternoon free without a car, the property's location on the plateau means you'll need to arrange transport to House On The Hill. Confirm the pickup details when you book so the timing works with the rest of your day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Croatian and Serbian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wines do I taste during the two hours?

You taste five wines total, selected by the sommelier. At the start you choose whether you want Slovenian wines or world selections. The sommelier pairs them with the cheeses and meats as the tasting progresses.

Where exactly is the Idrija hills and how do I get there?

The Idrija hills are in Slovenia, and House On The Hill sits on the Idrijske Krnice plateau at 1,000 meters altitude. The operator's booking details will confirm the exact address and how to arrange transport to the property.

Who leads the tasting and what is their background?

A third-level sommelier leads the tasting. The guide speaks English, Croatian or Serbian, and pairs the wines with local food throughout the two hours.

Are the underground fortresses safe to enter?

The fortifications were built between the First and Second World Wars by the Italian army and are part of the Alpine Wall. The tasting takes place in the second fort, which is set up as a wine room. The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I visit if I'm under 18?

The minimum age for this tasting is 18.