Liam and Sinead Cabot, originally from Ireland, operate a successful wine importing business named Cabot & Co. However, they also own a vineyard and winery in Slovenia, tracing their roots back to a family connection—Liam’s father worked as an environmentalist in Ljubljana for several years. After searching for a suitable property, they purchased a house and vineyard in Kog in 2007.
Located in the Ljutomer-Ormož wine region, their vineyard spans 2000 hectares of hills at the edge of the Pannonian Plain, characterized by heavy clay and sandstone soils. The region is home to a major cooperative, Puklavec and Friends, historically significant for producing Yugo-slavian white wines, with a production capacity of 6.5 million bottles per year.
Their winemaking journey began in 2011 with experimental wines, introducing Blaufränkisch—an unconventional choice for a predominantly white wine area—in 2012, alongside existing Furmint and Laški Rizling vines. The first vintage was released in 2013, but true satisfaction was only achieved by 2015, with a lo-fi winemaking approach that limits total SO2 in their white wines to under 50 ppm.
During a visit in May 2022, the Cabots reported ongoing experimentation with their wines. They had sourced new varietals: Gelber Muskadelle, Sivi Pinot, and Roter Traminette, allowing for further creative freedom. Because they are registered farmers, they can buy grapes but must label the resultant wines simply as table wines.
Challenges arose during the 2022 vintage when fermentation slowed, notably losing their Laški very early due to volatility. In response, they reassessed vineyard practices, restoring balance by reintroducing nutrients into the soil after neglecting to do so previously.
In their pursuit of unique winemaking techniques, the Cabots began using river sand and clay eggs from Oeuf de Beaune, known for their neutral properties. These vessels contributed to the nuanced flavors of their wines, particularly a Sipon that spent six months maturing in the eggs.
Recent tastings revealed several standout wines:
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Roka RM 2022: Crafted from Rumeni Muscat (Gelber Muskateller), this dry style wine showcases sweet citrus notes with spice and acidity, earning a score of 93/100.
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Roka Furmint 2022: From estate vines over 50 years old, this vintage balances minerality with crisp citrus and stony notes, reflecting incredible precision, rated at 95/100.
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Roka Blaufränkisch 2021: From an owned vineyard planted in 2012, it features floral notes with a lively red fruit character, scoring 93/100.
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Roka Blaufränkisch 2022: Unique for its slow fermentation process, this wine retains a bright freshness, awarded 93/100.
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Roka Blaufränkisch 2023 (tank sample): Displays pure fruit notes along with savoury olive characteristics, rated 94/100.
The Cabots’ evolution in the Slovenian wine landscape demonstrates their commitment to quality, creativity, and adaptation in an ever-changing environment.