5th Modri les Noirs
It is our fifth anniversary!
Since 2018, the annual Modri Les Noirs has been bringing together the best and most recognizable Slovenian Pinot Noir producers with renowned winemakers from the region and beyond. It is not just an event; it is a synonym for the community of Pinot Noir lovers. Growing, being more international and more passionate every year. It is the first and only festival of pinot noir in the region.
So far, Modri Les Noirs has brought together 36 Pinot Noir producers from 9 countries, hundreds of wine enthusiasts, international journalists, renowned chefs, sommeliers, and leading wine scholars. Masterclass has been sold out every year.
It takes place in Kendov Dvorec, a unique 5* hotel in Slovenia, a member of Relais & Châteaux. Food is prepared by top-notch chefs.
This 5th-anniversary celebration will have two parts: Masterclass and Festival.
MASTERCLASS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
Pinot Noir, a reflection of time
Based on two wines of different vintages, ten winemakers will present their evolution in the creation of Pinot Noir. When you drink Pinot Noir of a certain vintage, you get to know the winemaker’s identity; while drinking two different vintages of the same winemaker, you also taste the dynamics of their development.
The wine is always flowing, but the winemaker’s instinct and experience gained over time fuse it into a real fluid masterpiece.
The debate will be stimulated by the following insight:
“When producers of Pinot Noir get in contact with this variety, they want to produce the best red wine. Over time, however, self-reflection leads them to another path. A good Pinot Noir has to maintain its identity while searching for the best is like searching for the Holy Grail.’
The Masterclass, sold out every year weeks before the event, is a tribute to Pinot Noir, and an opportunity for you to meet & taste & enjoy:
- 10 winemakers from three countries
- 20 Pinot Noirs
- 2 internationally established coaches, 4 expert commentators
- Charming environment
- Michelin recommended dinner
- Live music
The evening ends with a dinner, which will be prepared by the Chefs of Kendov Dvorec, Relais & Châteaux.
Price: 80 Eur
AGENDA
16.30
Registration
17.00
Opening address
Pinot Noir – finicky, and absolutely beautiful
Matjaž Lemut, main organiser, TILIA estate – House of Pinots
17.10
The evolution of Pinot Noir
Quentin Sadler, wine educator, UK
17.20
In person!
10 selected winemakers will be presenting their Pinot Noirs.Led by the renowned British wine expert, Quentin Sadler and the main organizer, Matjaž Lemut, TILIA Estate – House of Pinots, Masterclass is a wine retreat. Growing Pinot Noir, the noble red grape, that is behind the world’s most prized wines, is always an adventure. Because it’s finicky, it often inspires a love-hate relationship with its growers. Get inspired by personal stories, get mesmerized by wines.
19.35
Dinner with selected Pinot Noirs
Kendov Dvorec is recommended by the Michelin Guide Slovenia 2020, 2021 and 2022 as a restaurant in a fairytale setting with a fascinating history, with its origins dating back to 1377. The hotel and its restaurant with head chef Klavdij Pirih are situated in one of the most historically interesting areas of Slovenia, famous for its lace production as well as many of the local ingredients which find their way into the dishes served here.
The Programme will be held in English, some wine presentations might be in the native languages of winemakers.
FESTIVAL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
The festival takes place between 1 and 7 PM. More than 100 Pinot Noirs from local and foreign wineries will be available. You will also be able to participate in two mini-masterclasses led by Quentin Sadler, and enjoy food specialties by Chefs of Kendov Dvorec.
Price: 30 Eur, mini masterclass 10 Eur
11.30
Registration
13.00
Opening of the festival
14.00
Pinot Noirs from The Côte de Beaune, one of the five great vineyards of Burgundy
Mini masterclass (max 20 people, 5 wines) Quentin Sadler, wine educator, UK
The chance to enjoy a fascinating selection of five Pinot Noirs from Burfgundy’s Côte de Beaune, home to some of the great Pinot Noir wines. Wine educator Quentin Sadler, with more than 30 years of experience in the UK wine trade, will present a special flight of Pinot Noirs. What to expect? Five great wines from cellars like Domaine Louis Latour and Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot, and a deep dive into Red Burgundy.
Mini-masterclass takes place in the beautiful meeting room in Kendov Dvorec, called ‘Hiša’ – The House. A fireplace with an inglenook and a shrine in ‘Hiša’ Meeting Room gives the atmosphere of a cosy home. The most authentically decorated space reminds us of the local tradition.
The room takes up to 20 people, so reservations for the masterclass are obligatory.
Price: 10 Eur
Reservation of the seats at: tonja@tiliaestate.si
15.00
In the glory of pinot noir
Matjaž Lemut, main organiser, TILIA estate – House of Pinots
15.30
Chanson performance
Lara Jankovič, singer and actress
16.00
Behind the holy grail of Pinot Noir – how to taste and judge like a pro
Mini masterclass (max 20 people, 5 wines) Miquel Hudin, wine writer & DWWA Judge, US
Pinot Noir falls into the “seductive” category of wines. Perhaps there’s even a primitive quality to such an old variety that speaks to a base instinct of our brains. So, are you able to taste it like a pro, and give Pinot a score despite its mystique? There’s a core aspect to critiquing any wine which is BLIC: Balance, Length, Intensity, & Complexity. Hudin will take you through BLIC, adding some crucial points, like inhaling the wine, letting it linger in your mouth, how to deal with closed wines etc. Pinot Noir can be moody and it’s important that you know what’s happening. “I judge wine in the same way I judge religion in that I take an agnostic point of view,” adds Hudin.
He is a native Californian, based in Catalunya, Spain and been published widely within the wine sphere over the last decade, having written for essentially every wine publication that exists in English including: Decanter, World of Fine Wine, Wine & Spirits, Guildsomm. He’s also published four regional reference books including one for the Republic of Georgia and has received several wine-writing awards including: Millesima’s Wine & Technology Writing Award, Fortnum & Mason’s Best Drinks Writer, and the Geoffrey Robert’s Award. Having completed extensive sommelier training via the Court of Master Sommeliers, he also runs his own subscription website, www.hudin.com for fans of wines from Spain and the general, “Sun Belt” of Europe that’s paired with a monthly Substack newsletter which has thousands of subscribers.
The room takes up to 20 people, so reservations for the masterclass are obligatory.
Price: 10 Eur
Reservation of the seats at: tonja@tiliaestate.si
WINEMAKERS
Modri Les Noirs is honoured to host some of the Slovenians and regions’ best, most interesting, dedicated, and talented winemakers.
Selected 36 winemakers from nine countries have presented themselves at the festival in the past. This year’s list of winemakers has not yet been finalized.
CASTELFEDER, Italy
ETYEKI KÚRIA WINERY, Hungary
FERAVINO, Croatia
FRANZ HAAS, Italy
FRUG VINA, Serbia
GALIĆ WINES, Croatia
HEAPS GOOD WINE COMPANY, Styrian Slovenia
JAKONČIČ, Goriška Brda
KRISTANČIČ FROM MEDANA, Goriška Brda
MOVIA, Goriška Brda
MEUM, Styrian Slovenia
MARO wines, Styrian Slovenia
MARJAN SIMČIČ, Goriška Brda
MAISON VINCENT GIRARDIN, France
BURJA ESTATE, Vipava valley
PASJI REP ESTATE, Vipava valley
SANCTUM, Styrian Slovenia
SALOMON&ANDREW, New Zealand
KOVAČEVIĆ WINERY, Serbia
TOMAC WINERY, Croatia
TILIA ESTATE, Vipava valley
VINA ČUK, Vipava valley
SAKSIDA WINES, Vipava valley
VINA VERUS, Styrian Slovenia
VINA ŠČUREK, Goriška Brda
VINA ZAVEC, Haloze
VIPAVA 1984, Vipava valley
PRINČIČ WINE, Goriška Brda
JOANNES PROTNER WINES, Styrian Slovenia
KORAK WINERY, Croatia
SONTACCHI WINERY, Croatia
ZDENKO ŠEMBER WINERY, Croatia
JAMŠEK WINE, Vipava valley
WINE KUPLJEN Styrian Slovenia
WINNICE WZGÓRZ TRZEBNICKICH, Poland
BUY TICKETS 5th Modri Les Noirs / Pinot Noir Festival and Master Class – 21. in 22. OCTOBER 2023
