Sanctum Lisica Pinot Noir 2022

Profile & Story

Sanctum is the Podkubovsek family cellar - Vlado and his son Marko - in Lipoglav, near the town of Loce in northeast Slovenia; they have always cherished the local heritage, so all their wines are made in a traditional style. Pinot Noir has been cultivated on these hills since French Carthusian monks planted it in the 12th century, believing the land was special for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 100% Pinot Noir, dry red. Vineyards sit on steep 45-degree south-facing slopes between 100 and 480 metres, on marl, clay and sand; continental cool climate with snowy cold winters, mild sunny springs, sun-drenching summers and refreshingly chilly nights as winds whip around the sharp hills and valleys. Density 4,000 vines/ha, yield 1.5 kg/vine, roughly 15,000 bottles a year. Farming: no irrigation, no herbicide, environmentally friendly and sustainable viticulture. Vinification (from the 2018 vintage onward, a minimal-intervention approach): hand-harvested grapes destemmed and spontaneously fermented in open-top fermenters, 19-24 day maceration, 12 months in used French oak, blended in stainless steel and bottled unfiltered. Alcohol 12.5%.