Dorcha Oranza, Stajerska Slovenia

Radiant, textural, and alive with energy, the 2024 Dorcha Oranža captures the adventurous spirit of Slovenia’s new generation of natural winemakers. Born from the cool, rolling hills of Štajerska, this skin-contact blend of Gelber Muskateller and Traminec is both grounded in family tradition and boldly forward-looking. Crafted by third-generation vintner Izidor Vehovar, who merges ancestral farming with modern minimal intervention, this vibrant orange wine embodies the wild beauty of its landscape, expressive, aromatic, and unmistakably alive.

Product Details:

• Varietals: Gelber Muskateller, Traminec
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
• Farming: Sustainable, no irrigation or herbicides
• Fermentation: Native yeasts, spontaneous fermentation
• Vinification: Three weeks of skin contact
• Soils: Marl, sand, and clay at 380 meters above sea level
• Aging: Stainless steel to preserve purity and freshness

Sensory Description:

Intensely aromatic, the wine opens with heady notes of orange pith, dried mango, and wild herbs, wrapped in a savory lift of spice and tea leaf. On the palate, layers of citrus oil, apricot, and crushed pepper unfold over a taut backbone of acidity and gentle tannic grip. The texture is supple yet structured, with skin contact lending depth and a lingering, mouth-coating finish that hums with energy and minerality.

Winemaker's Background:

Dorcha is the personal project of Izidor Vehovar, a third-generation Slovenian vintner redefining his family’s legacy through low-intervention winemaking. Inspired by his neighbor and mentor Nick Gee of Heaps Good Wine Co., Izidor bridges the old and new,  honoring his roots while crafting wines that are pure, spontaneous, and terroir-driven. His approach centers on living soils, native yeasts, and hands-off techniques, creating wines that reflect both the land and the life within it. Oranža, meaning “orange” in Slovenian, celebrates this philosophy, symbolizing the vibrant microbial and natural ecosystems that make great wine possible.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve lightly chilled at 52–55°F in a universal or tulip-style white wine glass to accentuate its aromatics and texture. This wine pairs beautifully with biryani rice, Moroccan tagine, or roasted root vegetables, and also shines alongside aged cheeses or spiced Mediterranean fare.

Bright, textural, and deeply characterful, the 2024 Dorcha Oranža stands as a thrilling expression of Slovenia’s natural wine movement, a blend of history, innovation, and the living pulse of the vineyard.