History
Beneath the lively streets of Maribor’s city center lies a true underground wine city. The Vinag Wine Cellar is one of the largest and oldest classical wine cellars in Europe, where history lives on through stone corridors, massive wooden barrels, and thousands of bottles quietly aging in the darkness.
The story of Vinag begins in 1847, when Alojz pl. Kriehuber, a local nobleman from Melje, laid the foundations of winemaking and winegrowing that would shape both the city and the region. After World War II, the cellar was connected with an even older brewery cellar, creating the largest classical tunnel wine cellar in Central Europe, stretching deep beneath Maribor’s historic center.
Walking through the cellar is a journey through time. More than 2 kilometers of underground tunnels, 15,000 m² of cellar space, monumental wooden barrels, and concrete tanks tell stories of prosperity, challenges, and the golden era when Vinag was one of the largest wine producers and exporters in the former Yugoslavia. The spirit of that greatness can still be felt today.
A truly special experience awaits in the wine archive, home to over 85,000 bottles of premium archival wines. Each bottle carries its own story, vintage, and character. Visitors can even select a wine from a year that marks a personal milestone—such as a birth year or anniversary—creating a unique and meaningful gift or memory.
A visit to the Vinag Wine Cellar is more than a tour—it is an immersive experience that connects wine, history, and the city, hidden beneath the surface yet unforgettable to all who explore it.
Wine archive
»There is no other wine cellar of this kind in Slovenia and nobody disposes of such quantities and vintages.«
The most precious feature is undoubtedly the wine archive, where we keep bottles of the best vintages. Inside you can discover bottles from the year 1946, which in itself carries a rich story and history.
The wine archive occupies a special spot in the hearts of all wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts. Hidden and kept in wine archives around the world lay wine bottles of special vintages of unimaginable values. Through aging, wines of the highest quality gain flavour and aromas over the years, which again increases their value. Enjoy a stroll through our wine archive and witness history in the making.
This special wine is suitable for opening on birthdays, anniversaries, celebrating achievements and personal special days. With the help of a wine expert, you can find and buy an archival wine of a vintage that suits your taste and has a special meaning for you and gift yourself or your loved ones a unique gift.
Awards
The Vinag 1847 winery regularly participates in various competitions, where it achieves high results. You can see all our awards in the list.
GREAT AMERICAN 2023
- Sauvignon Blanc (platinum medalja)
- Penina Rose Brut (srebrna medalja)
- Penina Chardonnay Brut (srebrna medalja)
Sommelierska selekcija 2023
- Kriehuber Chardonnay Brut 2019 (Best Aperitiv v kategoriji Penine)
GLASS OF BUBBLY
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay
brut (GOLD TROPHY in Spring Fling Category) - Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay
rose (SILVER MEDAL in Creamy Category)
DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS – VELIKA BRITANIJA 2022
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay brut (bronze)
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay sec (bronze)
GREAT AMERICAN WINE COMPETITION 2022
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay brut #23 (gold)
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay sec (silver)
- Penina Kriehuber Rose brut (bronze)
VINO SLOVENIJA GORNJA RADGONA – SLOVENIJA 2022
- Sauvignon #23 2021 (silver)
- Chardonnay #23 2021(silver)
- Rose #23 2021 (silver)
- Rumeni muškat #23 2021 (silver)
- Mariborčan #23 2021 (silver)
- Mariborčanka #23 2021 (silver)
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay brut #23 (silver)
- Penina Kriehuber Chardonnay sec #23 (silver)
- Penina Kriehuber Rose brut #23 (silver)
SALON SAUVIGNON 2024
- Sauvignon Horeca 2023 (zlata medalja)
- Sauvignon Noble 2021 (zlata medalja)
GREAT AMERICAN 2024
- Sauvignon Horeca 2023 (zlata medalja)
- Renski rizling Noble (srebrna medalja)
- Sauvignon Noble (srebrna medalja)
Sommelier's Selection 2021
The Vinag 1847 winery received an award at the "Sommelier's Selection 2021" competition for Sauvignon wine, which sommeliers recommend with asparagus and vegetable dishes.
- Sauvignon #23: silver
GREAT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2021
- Sauvignon 2020: silver
- Rose 2020: silver
- Mariborčanka 2021: silver
FINGER FLAKES 2021
- Sauvignon: silver
- Rose: bronze
- Mariborčanka: silver
VINO SLOVENIJA GORNJA RADGONA – SLOVENIJA 2020
- Sauvignon (silver)
- Chardonnay (silver)
- Rose (silver)
- Rumeni muškat (silver)
- Mariborčan (silver)
- Mariborčanka (silver)
Vineyards
Our vineyards are the heart of everything we create. Vinag cultivates 52 hectares of vineyards, owned by the Farmland and Forest Fund of the Republic of Slovenia, located on carefully selected wine-growing sites in northeastern Slovenia.
The diversity of locations, microclimates, and soil composition gives each vineyard its own unique character. We cultivate the vineyards Gačnik, Šolsko, Ciringa, Pekel, Kresnica, Plač, Podigrac, Stožer, Počehova, Košaki, and Mlinarič, where the tradition of winemaking has been alive for generations.
Throughout the year, our vineyards are shaped by hard work and dedication. Each vine is carefully tended—from winter pruning and hands-on spring and summer vineyard work to the close monitoring of grape ripeness. Much of this work is done by hand, as we believe that only the human touch can recognize the right moment and ensure the highest quality.
Hand harvesting allows for precise selection, ensuring that only healthy, perfectly ripe grapes are picked. This careful approach preserves the purity of flavors and the distinct character of each vineyard site, which is later reflected in every glass of wine. Our work is rooted in respect for nature, tradition, and knowledge passed down through generations.
Our goal is not mass production, but wines with character—wines that express their terroir, the dedication of our vineyard team, and a deep respect for the land.
