Slobodne Jantara

Winemaker: Agnes Lovecka & Mišo Kuropka

Region: Hlohovec region, within Lesser Carpathian, Slovakia (Malokarpatska)

Grapes: 70% Pinot Gris, 30% Grüner Veltliner

Alcohol: 11%

Sulphur: 21mg/l (total)

Suitable for vegans: Yes

Altitude: 150m

Total Area Farmed: 17 hectares

Soils: Sedimented soils, loess and clay.

Age of vines: Average of 20 years

Viticulture: Organic (non- certified)

Vineyards: The grapes come from their very own “Lopata” and “Stavný Háj” vineyards in their town of Zemianske Sady. The Hlohovec wine region’s history dates back to the 14th century when planting rights were first granted. The vineyards have a South and Southwest exposition and have vines ranging from 10 to 35 years years old. They practice beekeeping in the parcels and encourage a wide amount of biodiversity. Their 17 hectares of vines form a small part of their 350ha farm, where they tend to livestock and also grow poppies, barley, wheat, rapeseed, and more.

Vinification: The Pinot Gris was from the 2016 vintage, whilst the Grüner Veltliner was from 2017. In 2016 there was one tank of PG that they felt was too concentrated and ‘powerful,’ leading to the decision to blend in some very fresh GV from 2017 to create this very approachable orange wine. The Pinot Gris was fermented on its skins for 5 weeks, pressed, and aged in a steel tank. The Gruner Veltliner came from various batches that saw 1-3 weeks of skin contact. It was also aged in steel. The two varieties were blended in Feb 2018 and the wine was bottled in June 2018. Unfined, lightly filtered.

Total production = 800 bottles

Other: ‘Jantara’ means ‘Amber’ in Slovak