Records on the winegrowing practices of the Andlovic family reach back to the 19th century, including the mention of our great-grandfather as the co-founder of the first co-operative in Vipava in 1894.
The making of wine always was and still remains in the family circle.
The year 1914 that marks the official beginning of Andlovic winemaking is the year the Gradišče winery building was built.
Due to manual labour, the vineyards in 1914 comprised but 1 ha, while the family focused primarily on the production of grapes for the co-operative and kept only a small share of the produce at home.
In the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the following varieties were grown: Klarnica, Poljšakica, Remka, Ribolla, Pinela, Zelen and Pikolit.
From the varieties of those times, we have kept only Ribolla, Pinela, Zelen and Pikolit because these wines were of greater quality and more suitable for ageing.
The period between 1915 and 1960 was quite difficult as the Wars exhausted agriculture and brought dire times for the development of winegrowing to our family as well.
Circumstances after the war also caused the extinction of local varieties, as new trends dictated that more space be given to other European varieties.
After 1960, the use of modern mechanisation helped increase the cultivable surface of vineyards and facilitated the renewal of older sites.
We planted the variety Pikolit more extensively.
This variety was renowned already in the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire when Pikolit wine was often sent to the imperial court.
The year 1991 was a breakthrough year.
We discontinued selling grapes to the co-operative and established the independent Andlovic Winery as well as received our first international silver medal for Ribolla.
We also increased the capacity of our wine cellar and expanded our vineyards to 9 ha. The new surfaces were mostly planted with Pinela, Zelen and Ribolla.
In order to increase the visibility of our wines, we renamed Andlovic Winery to the registered trade mark AVIN.
In the 21st century, we wish to help further the recognition of indigenous varieties.
As we mentioned, Zelen is deeply connected with the generations of our family that cultivated it.
We consider the variety far too precious to leave its fate to chance.
In the spirit of establishing the variety Zelen, sixteen of its local producers together with Avin united in the economic interest group Consortioum Zelen in 2003.
Consortium Zelen wines are subject to strict criteria of control and approval.
All affiliated producers of Consortium Zelen bottle their wine in special consortium bottles displaying a banner with the Consortium logo on one side and the personalized mark of the individual producer on the other.
In 2004, we have added the osmica to our offer.
This event marks a particular period when we invite guests to try the local dishes of the Vipava Valley and enjoy a good time with us in the company of noble wine and excellent food.
Our vineyard sites lie on the west, sunny side of the Nanos plateau.
The generous sun makes our grapes rich in all aspects. Yields are somewhat smaller, which helps further increase the quality, whereas the high extracts enable the wine to age well.
The current structure of vineyards is based on the varieties Ribolla (Rebula in Slovene), Malvasia, Welschriesling (Laški Rizling in Slovene), Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera and Merlot.
The old varieties we cultivate are Zelen, Pinela and Pikolit.
The ratio of production is 2/3 of white varieties to 1/3 of red varieties.
There were battles, there were rises and falls, but the wines of the Andlovic family continue to thrive to this day.
The value of our wine lies in the harmony of the bouquet with the nature where it grew and ripened.
There are certain variations between different vintages.
PINELA
Pinela is a variety indigenous to the Vipava Valley.
Its most notable quality is its delicate fruity bouquet. The wine is light-bodied, fruity, harmonious and attractive.
ZELEN
Zelen is a variety indigenous to the Vipava Valley.
With a low yield per hectare, it gives a high quality wine whose characteristics are revealed particularly in its refined and elegant bouquet.
It is very drinkable, light and harmonious with a pleasant herbal finish.
The varieties Zelen and Pinela are protected indigenous varieties of Slovenia.
PIKOLIT
Pikolit is a variety used to make wines of a special quality.
It has won the sympathies of wine lovers with its bouquet, which is reminiscent of dried fruit and honey.
Its flavour makes it a sweet harmonious wine with high extract content.
REBULA
Ribolla (Rebula) is a variety of superior quality that shows itself mainly in its distinctive fruity bouquet.
The wine is light-bodied, drinkable and fruity with a refined, harmonious, rather intense and long-lasting flavour.
MALVAZIJA
Malvasia is a wine with distinctive and quite intense fruity aroma.
It boasts a full body and high extract, contributing to a harmonious long-lasting flavour.
SAUVIGNON
The most distinct characteristics of this Sauvignon Blanc are its elegant bouquet and a higher extract, making it a full-bodied, harmonious and well-balanced wine.
LAŠKI RIZLING
Also known as “Welschriesling,” this is a pleasant fresh wine.
Its delicate fruity bouquet and harmonious flavour are its most notable characteristics, making it a very drinkable wine.
ROSÉ
Rosé is a blend known for its drinkability and freshness.
Its most distinguished characteristic is a fruity bouquet, which is not too intense, yet typical of each of the two varieties from which the wine is made.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
A unique and elegant bouquet of forest fruits is the most distinguishing characteristic of this wine.
Its high extract contributes to the wine’s full body and to its harmonious and attractive character.