Northeastern Slovenia’s Štajerska region has been named Europe’s Best Wine Region for 2027 by travel and culture organisation European Best Destinations (EBD), topping a shortlist of 12 destinations that combine wine, culture, nature and tourism.
EBD selected the finalists from more than 90 leading wine regions, assessing not only wine quality but also the overall visitor experience. The criteria included wine tourism, heritage, grape and wine diversity, landscapes, gastronomy, hospitality, sustainability, local identity and accessibility. Štajerska scored 19.5 out of 20 overall and 9.8 out of 10 for wine experience excellence, with EBD describing it as Europe’s most promising cool-climate wine region. The region’s wine heritage includes some of Slovenia’s most distinctive attractions, including the world’s oldest noble grapevine in Maribor, a sparkling wine tradition in Gornja Radgona dating back to 1852 and Slovenia’s oldest preserved vintage wine, bottled in Ptuj in 1917.
Presenting the award in Maribor on 1 October, EBD Director Maximilien Lejeune said Štajerska reflects the growing demand among European travellers for authenticity, landscapes, wine culture and strong regional identity.
The award also comes as Slovenia continues to strengthen its profile as a destination for wine and culinary tourism. Local officials said the recognition validates a four-year effort to bring together Štajerska’s wine, gastronomy, culture and natural attractions, while the region’s first-place ranking was also highlighted by Forbes International. The latest accolade follows Maribor being named Europe’s Best Wine Capital for 2026 and Štajerska ranking among Europe’s most desirable destinations to visit this year.
