Štajerska is the “Styrian” region of Slovenia that approaches the country’s borders with Austria and Hungary, in the extreme Northeast. Most of northern Slovenia is mountainous and includes the eastern edge of the Julian Alps. The Kobal vineyards are in the steep-sloping Haloze Hills, in soils of clay, marl and sandstone. This is an inland region with a “continental” climate.

The Haloze wine region has an ancient history going back 2000 years, and the town of Ptuj, where Kobal is headquartered is considered the “oldest” town in Slovenia. It is considered one of the most prestigious growing zones in Central Europe, and owner/winemaker Bojan Kobal does it proper justice across a diverse lineup of carefully crafted, resolutely modern wines.

“Sivi” is the Slovenian word for “grey,” so when you see “Sivi Pinot,” think Pinot Gris/Grigio. This wine includes some lots that were barrel-fermented and others that were fermented in stainless steel, always with native yeasts. A small amount (5%) of this cuvée was aged briefly in barrels, but the majority was aged on lees for six months in stainless steel.

Like many Pinot Grigios from this part of the world, the wine displays a slight copper/pink cast thanks to 36 hours of skin maceration during fermentation. It is a plush style, redolent of red and yellow apple, pear, melon, chamomile, wet stones, and fresh cream. It is medium-plus in body, somewhat reminiscent of an unoaked style of Chardonnay.