Guerila Retro Red
Winery: Guerila
Classification: Dry red wine
Varietals: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Merlot (field blend – unfixed percentages)
Appellation: Ajdovščina, Vipavska Dolina (Vipava Valley), Slovenia
Annual Production: 8,550 bottles
Alcohol: 14.5%
Climate: Straddling between both Mediterranean and Alpine climates, the Vipava Valley experiences dry and hot summers with mild winters. It is one of the windiest regions of Slovenia, known for its strong north-east wind Burja that reaches speeds well above 100 km/h, with individual gusts up to 240 km/h.
Terrain: Vipava Valley is right on the border of Slovenia, just north of the Italian port city of Trieste. The area is made up of steep hills, where the continental climate of the Alps collides with the more moderate mild Mediterranean climate from the Adriatic. Vineyards are located on steep, karst mountain tops, where the temperature is cooler and the soil contains mineral-rich marl, which makes it incredibly helpful in drainage of rainfall. Good fertility of the soil is ensured by the marine sediment of flysch in alternating layers with sandstone. The Vipava wine region is considered to be one of the most desirable winegrowing regions in Slovenia. The sunny south slopes are a perfect location for cultivating vineyards.
Farming: Certified Organic and Demeter certified biodynamic.
Vinification: Manual harvesting of fully ripened biodynamically grown grapes, with all varieties harvested at the same time. Spontaneous fermentation in barrel with own yeast and skin maceration for four weeks, ungergoing natural malolactic fermentation. Two years of ageing in a large traditional oak barrel. Bottling according to biodynamic calendar and with a minimal addition of sulphur and without filtration.
Tasting Notes: Retro Red Selection is an ode to the traditional style of wine made in the Vipava Valley, where all varieties were planted mixed alongside each other on the steep vineyards, harvested together and then fermented together; Known locally as “Vipavec”. Intense garnet red color, with an exciting display of all varietal characteristics. Very complex aromatics of ripe plum, forest floor, black pepper and graphite. Merlot provides a solid base of fruit for depth and softness, but so much personality and lift from the Cabernet Franc and Barbera, starting fruity, but opening quickly with spice and fennel. A rich, but soft wine, with a full body and a tremendous finish of balance and wonderful freshness.
Winery Information
Guerila
Guerila wines are the fruit of hand-picked biodynamic grapes from our own vineyards. Harvesting and all of the work in the cellar takes place at the appropriate cosmic rhythms in accordance with the biodynamic calendar.