Blaufränkisch
Blaufrankisch Wine Festival
The Blaufränkisch Wine Festival includes an evaluation of various Blaufränkisch wines and a presentation part with the offer of the best Blaufränkisch wines, cuisine, and accompanying cultural and entertainment program. The festival is the largest promotional, professional, educational, and cultural event dedicated to the Blaufränkisch, which has been held annually since 2011 at the Sevnica Castle.
2025th edition of the festival
On Saturday, 7 June 2025, Sevnica once again became a centre for wine and culinary lovers. The 15th edition of the Blaufränkisch Festival, which coincided this year with the 29th finals of the Slovenian salami festivals, took place under the large party tent next to the Sevnica swimming pool.
Blaufränkisch and salami – two flavors that each tell an authentic story. Together, they create a harmonious culinary dialogue based on the values of our surroundings: respect, quality, and integration. This is not just a gastronomic combination – it is an expression of our local identity, which we present with enthusiasm both at home and abroad.
Award recipients
15th Blaufränkisch evaluation
As in previous years, the samples were divided into three categories: sparkling and rosé wines (6 wines), young red wines of 2024 (10 wines), and matured red wines of the years 2020–2023 (12 wines). A total of 28 samples of Blaufränkisch were entered into the evaluation process.
Blaufränkisch – regular harvest, 2024
Janez Pirc – Blaufränkisch, 2024
Stane Možič – Blaufränkisch, 2024
Vina Püst, Jože Bratuša – Blaufränkisch, 2024
Blaufränkisch – mature vintages and barrique
Vino Kozinc – Blaufränkisch, 2022
Hiša vin Emino – Eminent Blaufränkisch, 2022
Klet Krško – Turn Classic Blaufränkisch, 2021
Blaufränkisch – special wines – rosé
Vino Kozinc – MF Rosé 2024
Vinska klet Metlika – Metliška sparkling wine, rosé
Janez Pirc – MF rosé sparkling wine
Why attend the Blaufränkisch Festival?
Winemakers
- Promotion of wines for the general public.
- Expert evaluation and awards.
- Connecting with caterers, journalists, and sommeliers.
- Strengthening visibility.
- Direct contact with visitors.
- Support for the development of the regional story.
Visitors
- Tasting of high-quality Blaufränkisch wines.
- Enjoying local cuisine.
- Direct contact with winemakers.
- Relaxed atmosphere and beautiful location.
- Discovering Sevnica and the region.
- A varied accompanying program for all generations.
Archive
- 1st Blaufränkisch Festival 2011 – Newsletter
- 1st Blaufränkisch Festival – Evaluation results
Medijski pokrovitelji
About Blaufränkisch
The variety of Blaufränkisch is widely spread in two wine-growing regions (Podravje, Posavje) and in five wine-growing districts (Štajerska Slovenija, Prekmurje, Bizeljsko-Sremiška, Dolenjska and Bela krajina). It is a variety that can deliver high-quality wine and is the leader in quality among red varieties in all listed districts.
According to historical sources, Blaufränkisch has been cultivated for a long time in the wine-growing region of Posavje, since this part of the landscape was apparently perfect for its development
In the wine-growing region of Posavje, Blaufränkisch has always been used in varieties, namely Cviček, rdeči Bizeljčan and Metliška črnina. The content of the amount of Bluefränkisch in these varieties varies, depending on the location, type of the variety, and also on each individual harvest. It is very difficult to estimate how much Blaufränkisch is used in the aforementioned red varieties today.
Blaufränkisch is an obligatory component of Cviček, which gained significant recognition in Slovenia in the 1990s and acquired the PTP (recognised traditional denomination) label in 2001. Blaufränkisch also composes a significant share of the PTP Metliška črnina and PTP rdeči Bizeljčan. Growers had to connect in order to establish Cviček, rdeči Bizeljčan and Metliška črnina, which is how connections such as the Cviček Consortium etc. were created. Indirectly, this means that the producers of Blaufränkisch also become connected in this way.
Blaufränkisch as an independent variety only began to establish itself in our country at the end of the 20th and at the beginning of the 21st century. Even though its visibility has increased gradually, there are currently no special associations connecting producers of Blaufränkisch as an independent variety.
In Slovenia, Blaufränkisch is planted in nearly 700 hectares of vineyards, three quarters of which are located in the region of Posavje and one a quarter in the region of Podravje. Together, they represent slightly less than 5% of all vineyards planted in Slovenia.
The Blaufränkisch is recognizable by its rich and fruity aroma, reminiscent of berries.
In terms of colour, the wine is usually bluish-red, depending on the production technology. Young wine in particular has a distinctly fruity taste, acquiring a velvety and more complex aroma as it ages. The wine usually presents medium tannin values and appropriate acidity.
Blaufränkisch vine
The Blaufränkisch vines are recognisable by large rounded leaves, which are not excessively carved. The upper green side becomes reddish in autumn. The grape is large and cylindrical, while individual grapes are dark blue and have a thick skin. The meat is juicy, sweet and somewhat bitter.
Originally Slovenian
Experts from the Julius Kühn Geilweilerhof Institute have discovered that Blaufränkisch is an indigenous Slovenian variety. The birthplace of the Blaufränkisch is in the wine-growing area near Slovenske Konjice, where the variety was discovered more than 300 years ago. The ancestors of the Blaufränkisch are the now-forgotten Slovenian variety called vranek or tičenska črnina and the Gouais Blanc. Until mid-19th century, Gouais Blanc was the most widespread European white variety and is the ancestor of as many as 128 noble grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Rebula and Šipon (Modra frankinja, b. d.; Gorjak, 2017, p. 53).
The second certificate of autochthony of the Blaufränkisch comes from the German name Lemberger, meaning Blaufränkisch. It was named after the place from which this wine was first imported to Germany around the 17th century. Lemberg is a property in the municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah, where the Counts of Celje first became princes.
Interesting facts about wine
(The healing) properties of Blaufränkisch wine
Blaufränkisch is distinguished by its high content of antioxidants, especially resveratrol, which lowers the general level of cholesterol in the blood. Resveratrol is a very powerful antioxidant that belongs to the group of polyphenols, and its active substances long exceed the field of cardiovascular protection. Numerous scientists agree that this active ingredient is one of the greatest discoveries of the last twenty years. In addition to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, resveratrol also protects our cells from destructive free radicals, reduces the value of bad and increases the value of good cholesterol, contributes to reducing the chances of developing diabetes, and provides our cells with energy, which is why it is particularly helpful for anyone dealing with chronic fatigue. In addition, it increases the beneficial high lipoprotein density (HDL) that protects the heart. It also prevents cancer, which is why moderate consumption of Blaufränkisch is especially recommended. Resveratrol otherwise protects grapes against fungal infections. In the process of making red wine, the husk, seeds, and tendrils are removed from the juice immediately after pressing the grapes, and the wine is only fermented from the pressed grape juice. The amount of resveratrol in red wine is therefore about ten times higher than in white.
The vine variety is proven to be the most important parameter, which determines the resveratrol concentration in wine. Blue pinot and Blaufränkisch are especially known for their high resveratrol content. In Slovenia, the first research at the end of the 1990s was carried out by Dr. Urška Vrhovšek from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia. In a study conducted on Slovenian wines, the highest average total resveratrol concentration was found in samples of Blaufränkisch (12.6 mg/l). This was followed by Pinot Noir (12.2 mg/l), Refosco (11.9 mg/l), Merlot (8.23 mg/l) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5.48 mg/l).
The aforementioned study provided information that the Blaufränkisch wine produced in Bizeljsko, i.e. in the region of Posavje, contained the most resveratrol – not only in Slovenia, but in the entire world. Additional research tasks from 2004, performed by Dr Mitja Kocjančič and his associate Dr Andreja Vanca from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, found surprising data on the content of resveratrol in the Blaufränkisch wine from Bizeljsko. “The comparison of the first samples showed that a liter of Merlot contains 8.23 mg/l of resveratrol, a liter of Refosco contains 11.9 mg/l, a liter of Blaufränkisch from other areas contains 12.6 mg/l, and liter of Blaufränkisch from Bizeljsko contains 19.6 mg/l of resveratrol. According to previously known data, such large quantities have not been found anywhere else in the world.” (Source: Janez Šekoranja).
In addition to quality, the high content of resveratrol in Blaufränkisch wine from Posavje is a central advantage and a marketing asset for the development of the Blaufränkisch wine market. The findings regarding resveratrol and its healing effects have sparked interest in the Blaufränkisch among professionals and laypersons alike.
Insights into history
The Blaufränkisch is found under various names such as Blue Franconian (official name), Kékfrankos (Hungary), Franconia (Italy), Burgund mare (Romania), Blauer Limberger or Blauer Lemberger (Germany), Blaufränkisch (Austria), Franconian (Croatia), Noir de Franconie (France), and a few others, while the most internationally recognized term is Blaufränkisch. This is one of the most important local wine varieties in Central Europe, and its first mentions date back to 1862, when the vine was presented as part of the wine exhibition in Vienna. The variety is, however, much older than that. The word is supposedly derived from Franconia, the name of a region that was one of Germany’s most famous wine-growing districts in the Middle Ages. Many of its names in other languages include the word “blue” (e.g. “blau” or “kék”) because of the berry skins, which have a blue hue. The story of its German name “blaunfrankisch” goes back to the Middle Ages, when the word frankisch (“Frankish”) was used to name varieties in order to show their superiority compared to the less valued heunisch (“Hunish”) varieties. The Blaufränkisch vine variety belongs to the Black Sea Basin group and is one of the continental varieties or varieties of the Danube countries. The Blaufränkisch is a late variety that needs warm days and cold nights to reach optimal phenolic ripeness and express complex notes of forest fruits, spices, and spiciness. Therefore, the best locations for Blaufränkisch lie in the eastern and southeastern Slovenia, where the influence of the continental climate can be felt.
The Blaufränkisch wine is pleasantly fresh, varietal, and fruity, and top quality wines can be produced from this variety. The Blaufränkisch also perfectly mirrors the terroir and, as a result, offers a wide range of styles, depending on the climate and the soil where it grows. Therefore, it is not surprising that some wine critics have called the Blaufränkisch the “Pinot Noir of the East”. In addition to the aforementioned qualities, Blaufränkisch wines have an excellent potential for ageing, as they retain freshness and develop complexity for decades after bottling.
Providers
In Sevnica and the broader region, Blaufränkisch is more than wine – it is part of our identity, in our everyday life and during special holidays. On this page, we present producers who maintain the quality and character of this special wine with dedication and knowledge, as well as caterers who include the Blaufränkisch in their culinary offer. Discover where to taste it – at the source, in the wine cellar, or in combination with select dishes.
Winegrowers and winemakers
Restaurants and bars offering Blaufränkisch
Events
- Cuisine
The Blaufränkisch Festival is a wine and culinary event dedicated to the indigenous Slovenian grape variety, Blaufränkisch.
- Event tent by the Sevnica swimming pool
- 7. junij 2025
- Free
