Scurek Vineyard in Goriska Brda

After an introduction to Slovenia in Ljubljana, a four-day hiking adventure at Triglav and a short stint at Lake Bled, I was ready for an even slower pace… and some wine. Goriska Brda is the perfect place for that.

The takeaway: If you’re looking for the “Tuscany of Slovenia” without Italian crowds (or prices), this is it. People tend to overuse the term “hidden gem”, but Posestvo Ščurek Vineyard in Goriska Brda is precisely that. This is the standout “worth-it” stay in the region.

Welcome To Goriska Brda The “Tuscany Of Slovenia”

Goriska Brda is a small wine region tucked between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. From Lake Bled, we took the back roads – a two-hour drive through quiet roads.

Pro tip: Unless you love totally empty country roads, take the highway to save time. We expected more breathtaking views during the drive, but it wasn’t all that impressive until reaching Goriska Brda.

Once you do get there, it’s picturesque villages, winding roads, and lush vineyards. I immediately understood the Tuscany comparison.

Where To Stay: Scurek Vineyard

I spent hours looking for properties with a pool and finally found the newly opened (in 2024) Posestvo Ščurek. I’ll be honest: I thought the price was too good to be true for such a modern, state-of-the-art stay.

And it was truly too good to be true. This was one of my favorite stays of the year.

The highlights:

• The pool: A stunning infinity pool with views of the rolling hills and infinite vineyards.
• The design: Modern, minimalist, and built directly into the sloping terrain.
• The vibe: You’re treated like an old friend by the Scurek family.

The Ščurek Family Legacy

The vineyard has been in the family since the early 20th century. Today, it’s run by Stojan and his five sons.

Each son has a different role, and the new four-room guesthouse and wine cellar were the vision of one of the brothers. I’m glad the others were on board to create such an incredible place. The architecture actually won a BIG SEE Architecture Award in 2025, and their wine is well known for its quality.

The vineyard has more than 17 hectares (or about 42 acres) of land. This makes them one of the largest family wine producers in Slovenia. Despite the size, their main goal always focuses on quality. They practice a mix of modern and ancient techniques, depending on the wine they hope to produce. And they mainly prioritize native grape varieties.

The Wine Tasting Experience

Upon arrival, we were each handed a glass of sparkling pink wine, best enjoyed poolside of course.

The formal tasting happens in a room with floor-to-ceiling views that stretch right over the border into Italy. One of the brothers (who is also a sommelier) walked us through nine different wines. He doesn’t usually do the tasting, but the usual brother who does was off celebrating his birthday. He was a bit nervous about his English, but we quickly became fast friends – nine glasses of wine and a few shots of the “homemade stuff” will do that to you.

Don’t skip the wine tasting: The tasting is paired with local cheeses, meats, and incredible anchovies. I’ve been addicted to anchovies ever since this tasting.

The art: One unique feature of the Posestvo Ščurek is their collaboration with an art co-op. You’ll find paintings and sculptures all over the property, even on the wine barrels in the cellar. A definite plus for art lovers.

Exploring Goriska Brda

You definitely need a car to stay here, as things are spread out. One day we rented e-bikes, with the intention of exploring some other vineyards in the region.

What to do

• E-Bike Tour: We spent a full day on a self-guided tour through the vineyards. It’s the best way to soak in the views without the stress of driving. However, do make sure you book or call in advance. Most of the vineyards we tried to stop at were closed. This might be the Tuscany of Italy, but it’s not a very popular region, so they do like to know if you plan to stop by. We got lucky with a few spots and mostly, we enjoyed the ride. (Just ask the hosts and they’ll help with the bike rental)

Where to eat

• Dinner at Tavernata Estate: This restaurant is related to the Bužinel wine family. The food is delicious, but check their hours, they are often closed Monday through Wednesday.
• Dinner at Belvin Restaurant: This place could not be closer to Scurek Vineyards. We went here after our wine tasting. They have great pizzas, but also delicious meat and other dishes. We were very happy, and tipsy!

If you are unable to visit the Scurek Vineyard or spend a few days in the area, you can also visit Goriska Brda on a day tour from Ljubljana. And a good option if indeed you do want to bike, is to book an e-bike tour with Ljubljana transfer.

Read more about my experiences in Slovenia.