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Franci Cvetko Mihovci pri Vel. Nedelji 103A 2274 Velika Nedelja phone: +386 62 718-247 |
The geographic origin of Franci Cvetko's wines is displayed in gold on the neck of his bottles: Kogl is the sunny site near Velika Nedelja where Cvetko cultivates four hectares (9.9 acres) of his vineyards. The soil is sandy clay, and these locations lie about 300 meters (741 ft.) above sea level.
Cvetko grows only traditional white grapes of Podravje. Šipon is his favourite, but he is also successful with Kerner, Laški Rizling, and Sauvignon. Cellaring is traditional, and wines are fermented and matured only in oak barrels.
Dry wines are the specialty of Cvetko's winery, which is somewhat unusual in Podravje. His Laški Rizling is aromatic, yet somewhat lighter in acids than similar wines from neighbouring sites. His Šipon exhibits a characteristic hazelnut flavour, the mark of immaculately prepared wine. Cvetko is one of the rare Podravje vignerons who grow Kerner in quantity, producing both regular wine and the sweet jagodni izbor. Wines of special quality are regularly produced in this winery, including the most demanding suhi jagodni izbor and Ice Wines.
Although most of Cvetko's wines age well, he is partial to young wines, praising the specific liveliness and freshness that disappears with aging. His "Art Collection" series, a selection of six wines in bottles with labels designed by well-known Slovene painters, is an annual monument to freshness - Franc Cvetko advises buyers to consume these wines immediately and save the empty bottles with their artwork in remembrance.
Franc Cvetko's best vintages are 1983, 1989, 1990, and 1993.
