Štajerska has been named the best wine region in Europe, putting the Slovenian region ahead of established wine destinations in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal in a new ranking by European Best Destinations.
The region, which includes Maribor, Ptuj, Jeruzalem Slovenija, Haloze, Slovenske gorice, Ravno polje and Pohorje, took the top position after being assessed alongside more than 90 wine territories across Europe. The ranking considered factors including grape and wine diversity, the number of wine cellars and tasting rooms, landscape, sustainability and accessibility.
The result gives Slovenia a notable position on a list traditionally dominated by better-known wine countries. France and Italy both appear several times in the final 12, while Austria, Spain, Portugal and Greece also feature.
European Best Destinations praised Štajerska for what it described as its strong connection between wine, landscape and local culture. Maximilien Lejeune, director of European Best Destinations, said the region reflects what many travellers are increasingly seeking: authenticity, distinctive landscapes, long-standing wine traditions and a strong regional identity.
That identity is visible in several parts of Štajerska. Maribor is home to the World’s Oldest Vine, while Ptuj is known for historic wine cellars. Across the wider region, vineyards and wine roads connect rural communities where wine production remains closely tied to local traditions.
The ranking also reflects a broader European wine map that extends well beyond the famous names most international visitors already know. Instead of focusing only on established wine capitals, the selection gives prominence to regions where wine is closely connected to the surrounding landscape and local way of life.
Italy’s Langhe-Roero-Monferrato came second. The Piedmont region is particularly associated with Nebbiolo, one of Italy’s best-known red grape varieties, as well as its truffle-producing traditions. European Best Destinations highlighted the area as a destination that combines wine and food, with autumn singled out as a particularly attractive time to visit.
Spain’s Ribeira Sacra ranked third, standing out for its striking vineyards along the Sil and Miño rivers. Vineyards are planted on steep terraces cut into the river valleys, creating one of the most distinctive wine landscapes on the list.
Austria’s Kamptal took fourth place and is known for wines made from varieties including Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Its appearance in the top five adds another Central European region to a ranking otherwise heavily represented by the traditional wine powerhouses of France and Italy.
Chianti Rufina in Tuscany completed the top five. The region is part of the wider Chianti area but has a more intimate character than the better-known Chianti Classico, according to the ranking.
France enters the list at number six with Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, two Loire Valley wine areas widely associated with Sauvignon Blanc. Italy appears again at number seven with Etna, followed by France’s Saumur and Anjou at number eight.
Austria’s Wachau takes ninth place, while Italy’s Valle d’Aosta ranks tenth. Portugal’s Alentejo is eleventh, adding one of the country’s major wine-producing areas to the list, and Greece’s Naoussa completes the top 12.
The full ranking places Štajerska at the centre of a changing European wine conversation. Its position above regions with far greater international recognition suggests that the appeal of wine tourism is increasingly tied not only to famous bottles or historic appellations, but also to the experience of visiting the places where wine is made.
For travellers, that means Slovenia now has a stronger case for attention alongside Europe’s established wine destinations. Štajerska offers vineyards, historic cellars, wine roads and towns with centuries of connection to winemaking, all within a region that European Best Destinations has identified as the continent’s leading wine destination in its latest ranking.
