Winemaking has been a family Simonič tradition for several generations. In the late nineties of the 20th century Ivan Simonič decided to concentrate his efforts on the production of sparkling wines, which made him the first independent producer of sparkling wines in Bela krajina. The year 2000 marked the advent of the Semiška penina – demi-sec. In 2001 this sparkling wine received a gold medal at the Gornja Radgona Fair and with the mark of 18.53 came in second among sparkling wines. This achievement spurred on further development and the production of bottles and the selection of sparkling wines grew with each year. The selection now includes Semiška penina – sec, Semiška penina – Blaufränkisch, Semiška penina – gold with added 23 karat gold leaves, Semiška jantarna penina, and Semiška penina – Barrique, which has to mature in barrique barrels for a year before bottling.
Semiška penina POSEIDON matures in the depths of the Adriatic Sea, 30 meters deep, at a constant temperature of 12-13°C.
Semiška penina is produced by following the traditional method, according to which the wine undergoes the second fermentation in the bottle. Grape varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Laški Rizling (also known as Welschriesling), and Kerner serve as the basis for the wine. The grapes ripen exposed to the sun in the family vineyards, located in the winegrowing hills near Semič, which are a part of the Bela krajina wine-producing region.
The sparkling wines mature in the Semiška penina cellar. This underground location in Semič also features a degustation room, which has been offering a special ambience for the degustation of select sparkling wines since 2005.
The specially equipped degustation room can accommodate up to 60 guests, who are invited to taste ten different sparkling wines. Guests can also take a tour of the cellar, listen to an expert presentation of the sparkling wine production method, and receive advice on how individual sparkling wines should be served.
A reservation must be made in advance for the degustation. A choice can be made from different options on offer, which include a guided degustation of three to seven sparkling wines, accompanied by a cold cuts serving or not.
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