Special wine and beer experiences in the Podravje region

Tasting in the dark

Have you ever tasted wine or beer in complete darkness? They taste utterly differently. Complete darkness helps you to not only taste the sample but also experience it deeply.

Ptuj is the oldest Slovenian town and has been known from the earliest times for its excellent wines and viticulture. The Romans, and supposedly even the Celts before them, produced wine here. This wine tradition continued after Ptuj evolved from an ancient into a medieval town and a castle was built on a hill above it. Under the castle – no one knows exactly when – a tunnel was built. You’re now invited to enter it for a very special purpose.

Wine tasting

In the tunnel, you’ll be able to experience the wine in an utterly new way. Complete darkness helps our taste buds to be more intense, which is why we smell and taste things much better than we do during regular tastings. An expert taster will guide you through the wine map of superb local wines from nearby areas, such as Mestni Vrh, Slovenske Gorice, Haloze and Jeruzalemsko-Ormoške Gorice. In addition to an in-depth experience of flavours and aromas, you will also learn about the history of Ptuj and its stories.

During the sensory journey, in addition to the wine, you will also be treated to gentle music, contributing to a more intense tasting experience.

Beer tasting

You will be taken to the tasting area in the glow of torches, which will be switched off at some point. Beer in complete darkness will open up a new range of flavours and scents. The intoxicating aroma of a genuine Haloze craft beer will pamper your senses in the tunnel under Ptuj Castle. The interactive and experiential beer tasting is led by Dejan and Monika from the Frizi Brewery.

In the nicely chilled tunnel, which remains at a constant temperature of 13°C, you’ll be served five different craft beers and snacks: a salt pretzel for vegetarians and a salt pretzel with pork cracklings for everyone else. On this guided experience, you’ll experience aromas and learn stories about beer and the history of brewing in Ptuj and the wider area.

Both tastings will open the door for you into an unknown world where smell and taste are at the forefront rather than sight. You’ll be suddenly introduced to a broad variety of different aromas. You can apply for this adventure into the darkness on your own or as an organised group.