Renowned Italian publication Gambero Rosso, a leading authority in the world of Italian wine and gastronomy, has for the first time included Klet Brda in its prestigious wine guide, Vini d’Italia—the most influential wine guide in Italy. The wine Bagueri Chardonnay Superior 2021 was awarded the top accolade of “Tre Bicchieri”, while Krasno Rebula 2022 earned “Due Bicchieri Rossi”, marking it as a finalist for the highest distinction.

The official awards ceremony took place on October 12, 2025, in Rome.

Italy represents a key export market for Klet Brda, generating over half a million euros in annual revenue. Being featured in Vini d’Italia is a milestone achievement and a prestigious reference that significantly strengthens the winery’s reputation and visibility in the Italian market—particularly in the premium price segment.

At this year’s 51st International Wine Competition Vino Slovenija Gornja Radgona, Klet Brda received an impressive 18 medals. The absolute winner was VIRGO BRUT, awarded Champion among classic sparkling wines.

Klet Brda is extremely pleased with this year’s medal collection from Gornja Radgona, with awards spanning wines across all price categories — including brands Quercus, Krasno, Bagueri superior, and both charmat and classic method sparkling wines. The number and quality of awards, particularly the Grand Gold medals and the Champion title, are a strong confirmation of Klet Brda’s core philosophy: quality and consistency from vineyard to bottle.

VIRGO BRUT Crowned Best Slovenian Classical Sparkling Wine

Blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the indigenous Rebula grape, VIRGO BRUT impressed judges again this year. After receiving a gold medal at last year’s competition, it rose to the very top in 2025, securing its position among the finest Slovenian sparkling wines.

Grand Gold Medals for Krasno White 2023 and Bagueri Rebula 2021

Created in collaboration with top chefs, the Krasno line of gastronomic wines is designed to pair beautifully with modern cuisine, striking a perfect balance of aroma and body. Initially launched for the Slovenian market, its success has led to strong demand abroad, particularly in discerning markets like Italy, the USA, and the UK. The Krasno White blend continues its winning streak, having collected ten significant medals in the past six years — including this year’s Grand Gold.

The Bagueri line is no stranger to gold medals, and the Grand Gold for Bagueri Rebula 2021 once again highlights the remarkable potential of this native Brda variety. Bagueri Rebula had previously been honored with a prestigious Decanter Platinum medal, further underlining its international appeal.

A Year of Global Acclaim for Klet Brda Wines

The medals from Gornja Radgona are the perfect crowning achievement to an exceptional year for Klet Brda and Klet de Baguer. Throughout 2025, their wines have impressed some of the most respected voices in the international wine scene.

For the first time, world-renowned American wine critic James Suckling invited Klet Brda to his exclusive tasting event in New York — a significant recognition of their quality. This came on the heels of a strong performance at the London Decanter Awards, and continued with top scores and medals from Chardonnay du Monde in France, Sakura Awards in Japan, Falstaff in Austria, and now once again at Vino Slovenija Gornja Radgona.

These prestigious accolades strengthen the global presence of Slovenian wines and serve as a clear signal to distributors, wine experts, and demanding consumers — both at home and abroad — that Klet Brda and Klet de Baguer stand for consistent, world-class quality in every bottle.

The prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), organized by the UK’s leading wine magazine Decanter, has once again confirmed the exceptional quality of Slovenian wines. Now in its 22nd year, this is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition, judged by nearly 250 top wine experts, including 72 Masters of Wine and 22 Master Sommeliers.

This year’s edition also marked the 50th anniversary of Decanter magazine, celebrating five decades of global influence in wine education and appreciation. Trusted by both wine professionals and consumers around the world, DWWA results have become a vital benchmark for quality and consistency in the global wine market.

Slovenia Among the World’s Top Wine Regions

Slovenia stood out once again this year, securing 211 medals, including 13 gold and 75 silver, placing the country among the top 15 nations in the competition.

A significant share of those medals went to Klet Brda and De Baguer Cellar, who together won an impressive 17 medals, the most of any Slovenian winery. These results highlight their consistent quality over the years.

5 Gold Medals for Klet Brda and De Baguer – No Other Winery Did Better

An outstanding 5 out of Slovenia’s 13 gold medals were awarded to wines from these two cellars:

• De Baguer Single Vineyard Merlot 2019 – 96 points
• A Plus Red Special Selection 2019 – 95 points
• De Baguer Merlot – Cabernet Franc 2019 – 95 points
• Krasno Pinot Bianco 2024 – 95 points
• Quercus Pinot Bianco 2024 – 95 points

The De Baguer Single Vineyard Merlot 2019 was also the highest-rated wine from the Brda region. In total, 11 wines from these wineries scored 90 points or more, reinforcing their reputation for top-tier quality.

High Praise for the Quercus Line

The Quercus line, known for its fresh, approachable wines, also made a strong impression. After last year’s Quercus Pinot Grigio 2023 was featured on the Value Gold list (highlighting great wines at accessible prices), this year’s Quercus Pinot Bianco 2024 earned the same distinction – proof that high quality doesn’t have to come at a high price.

“Decanter is one of the world’s most important wine competitions – with more than 17,000 entries, global visibility, and strong influence, especially in English-speaking countries, Western Europe, and the U.S.,” says Darinko Ribolica, Chief Winemaker at Klet Brda. “To receive five gold medals – more than any other winery in the world – is a huge honor. It proves we’ve become a truly respected and prestigious winery. That’s something we’ve worked toward for many years, and we’re proud to maintain that reputation.“

He attributes the success to a combination of key factors: “The Brda terroir is perfect. Our winegrowers are dedicated. The grapes are outstanding. And in the cellar, we know how to bring out their full potential. It’s all about teamwork – from the vineyard to the bottle.“

The list of award-winning wines is available: HERE.

On June 12, 2025, Klet Brda had the honour of participating in the New York edition of Great Wines World 2025, one of the most prominent global wine events, held under the patronage of internationally acclaimed wine critic James Suckling. The event brought together 380 leading wine producers from 55 renowned wine regions and featured over 800 wines. Among the Slovenian representatives were Klet Brda, Marjan Simčič Domaine, and Movia.

James Suckling and his team were particularly impressed during their visit to Brda by the consistent quality across the entire Klet Brda and De Baguer portfolio. Two wines stood out in particular — de Baguer Single Vineyard Motnik 2017 and de Baguer Merlot Single Vineyard Vrh 2019 — both earning an outstanding 94 points. It was precisely this unwavering commitment to excellence that led James Suckling to extend a personal invitation to Klet Brda to present at this prestigious event.

The sold-out tasting, attended by 5,500 guests, was described on JamesSuckling.com as “one of biggest New York editions ever and a huge platform for wine lovers and trade to meet with people shaping the wine world today.”

“James Suckling is unquestionably one of the most influential voices in the world of wine, particularly in the United States — our key export market,” said Darinko Ribolica, Chief Winemaker at Klet Brda. “His high ratings significantly strengthen our presence in the U.S. market. Following such recognition, our wines attract attention from the country’s most prestigious buyers and distributors. The inclusion of three Slovenian wineries at this year’s event also positions Slovenia as one of the top-performing wine-producing countries from the former ‘Eastern bloc’. Based on the response from trade professionals, and despite looming tariff concerns, we anticipate a substantial boost in our North American sales.”

At Estonian wine tasting AASTA VEIN 2025 – WINE OF THE YEAR 2025, organized by the Estonian Sommelier Association, Krasno Ribolla Gialla was awarded a silver medal, while Krasno Pinot Noir earned a bronze.

As the organizers highlight, the AASTA VEIN recognition offers wine lovers and sommeliers a quick, convenient, and transparent way to discover the best wines on the Estonian market, while also providing an excellent opportunity to explore new importers and winemakers. Out of 613 wines entered this year, Krasno gourmet wine line stands out as one of the top selections!

At the prestigious 32nd edition of the Chardonnay du Monde international wine tasting in France, Klet Brda’s Bagueri Chardonnay was awarded a silver medal, standing out among 518 samples from 34 countries, judged by 200 international wine experts. Of the 171 medals awarded this year, Klet Brda was the only Slovenian winery to receive recognition.

The Chardonnay du Monde tasting is regarded as one of the world’s leading benchmarks in the wine industry. Klet Brda’s Chardonnays have been consistently recognized at this event, maintaining a tradition of excellence. This year Klet Brda marks a significant milestone – 30 years since first participation and first silver medal at Chardonnay du monde. Since then, Klet Brda has collected 29 medals, proving the consistent excellence of its Chardonnays.

Chardonnay is a grape variety cultivated almost all over the world, known for its remarkable ability to adapt to various climates, terrains, and winemaking techniques. However, the best Chardonnays can only be produced in special terroirs. As British wine expert Dr. Caroline Gilby also emphasizes, the Bagueri Chardonnay from Klet Brda confirms that the hilly vineyards of Brda offer the perfect conditions for producing top-quality Chardonnays.

At the international competition Sommelier Selection 2025, which focuses on selecting the best wine pairings with various types of dishes—emphasizing the culinary usability of wines — Klet Brda and de Baguer Cellars received a total of seven awards.

de Baguer Wine Cellar:

• Classical sparkling wine Virgo Brut – Sommelier Selection Best Aperitif 2025

• Classical sparkling wine Virgo Rosé – Sommelier Selection Rosé 2025, Best Sparkling Rosé

• de Baguer Merlot-Cabernet Franc, 2018 – Sommelier Selection Best of Red 2025, Best Red Wine

• de Baguer Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 – Sommelier Selection Best of Cuvée 2025, Best White Blend

Klet Brda:

• Bagueri Chardonnay, 2020 – Wine for fish dishes

• Bagueri Merlot, 2020 – Wine for beef and game dishes

• Bagueri Merlot, 2020 – Sommelier Selection 2025 – Merlot

For this 22nd edition, organized by the SloVino Institute in cooperation with the Sommelier Society of Slovenia as part of the Sommelier.si Academy, 88 winemakers from Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, and Austria submitted 400 different wines. These were evaluated by 80 senior-level sommeliers and distinguished wine experts, divided among six judging panels. All wines were evaluated through blind tastings.

As the organizers emphasized, this elite selection helps a broader audience make more informed wine choices that best complement specific dishes. At the same time, it contributes to a more cultured, relaxed, and high-quality dining experience.

The exceptional quality of wines from Klet Brda and de Baguer wine cellar has been further validated by Falstaff, the leading wine and gastronomy media in the German-speaking world. Peter Moser, the editor-in-chief for Austria and Bordeaux, rated three of our Rebula wines: Krasno Ribolla gialla 2022, Bagueri Rebula 2020, and de Baguer Motnik Single Vineyard 2017.

Krasno Ribolla gialla 2022, part of the gastronomically curated Krasno line, received an impressive 92 points. This Falstaff rating is further supported by 90 points of Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 and 93 points of JamesSuckling.com.

Bagueri Rebula 2020, from the Bagueri line, which carries a 30-year tradition of selected quality, earned 93 points. This same wine also received 91 points in Decanter World Wine Awards 2024.

De Baguer Motnik Single Vineyard 2017, produced at de Baguer wine cellar in the Dobrovo Castle, where the finest wines are aged, was honoured with 94 points, echoing the high rating previously given by Suckling. The wine also received an outstanding 95 points in Decanter World Wine Awards 2024.

In 2023, Falstaff also awarded our wines with 93 points, a mark that places them in the elite category of exceptional wines. Peter Moser, the same evaluator, gave to A Plus Red 2017 a rating of 94 points, while de Baguer Merlot-Cabernet Franc 2017 and A Plus White 2017 received 93 points.

We are delighted that also Falstaff confirm the consistent quality of Klet Brda wines, which have been present on the German market for many years. We began with fresh wines, and in recent years, we have been expanding our fresh wine lines. As our quality remains consistent, we are steadily advancing into higher price categories. Falstaff’s prestigious ratings play a significant role in enhancing the visibility of both Klet Brda and de Baguer wine cellar in the German-speaking market, strongly influencing the purchasing decisions of wine lovers of elite wines.

Aldo Fiordelli, senior editor at JamesSuckling.com and a long-time wine and gastronomy critic for various international organizations, tasted and highly rated five wines from both wineries, Klet Brda and Klet de Baguer, last autumn. The high ratings from the JamesSuckling.com platform are a strong reference for our customers both, abroad and in Slovenia.

Fiordelli awarded 89 points to Bagueri Pinot Grigio Ramato 2022, 91 points to Bagueri Merlot 2020, and 92 points to Krasno Pinot Noir 2021. Krasno Ribolla Gialla 2022 received 93 points, while Fiordelli was most impressed by de Baguer Merlot Single Vineyard Vrh 2019, which he rated with 94 points.

Our story with James Suckling, a prestigious writer in the wine world, dates back to 2023 when we presented the wines of Klet de Baguer to him. At that time, Suckling awarded high ratings to all five presented wines: de Baguer Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc 2017 received 92 points, A Plus White 2017 and de Baguer Merlot-Cabernet Franc 2017 were both awarded 93 points. However, the biggest impression was made by de Baguer Single Vineyard Motnik 2017, which was rated with 94 points. Suckling was particularly impressed with the consistent quality of all the wines presented, as all were rated above 92 points.

It is precisely the consistency in excellence and carefully selected quality of our wines that led James Suckling to his decision to invite Klet Brda to participate in one of the most internationally significant events in the wine industry – The Great Wines of the World New York 2025. At this event, 380 wine producers from 55 different wine regions will be present, showcasing 800 wines. On the second day of the event, June 12th, we will represent Slovenia along with two other Brda wineries, Marjan Simčič Domaine and Movia, as the only representatives of Slovenia. (James Suckling Great Wines World New York 2025 – New York’s Best Wine Tasting )

We are thrilled that renowned figures in the global wine business, such as James Suckling, acknowledge the consistently exceptional quality of Klet Brda’s wines. Ratings from such prestigious institutions undoubtedly enhance the visibility of our wines, serving as a powerful tool for marketing both Klet Brda and Klet de Baguer wines abroad and in Slovenia. This validation from the most discerning wine critics assures buyers and distributors that our wines are a worthy addition to their portfolios, standing alongside the world’s most esteemed brands.

Here are the ratings from Aldo Fiordelli on JamesSuckling.com:

Bagueri Pinot Grigio Ramato 2022 – 89 points

“A classic pinot grigio with a natural copper color. Salt-and-pepper minerality on the nose. Light-bodied with crisp acidity and a tight, almost lean finish. Drink now.“

Bagueri Merlot 2020 – 91 points

“A meaty and savory wine with graphite, plums and touches of leaves and leather on the nose. A firm palate with a medium body and crisp acidity. Chalky tannins in the finish, but crunchy overall. Drink now.“

Krasno Pinot Noir 2021 – 92 points

“A classic pinot noir with savory aromas of boiled beets, strawberries, red cherries, graphite, smoke and woodland. The attack is firm and tight, with ripe, crunchy tannins, a medium body and good length. Drink now.“

Krasno Ribolla Gialla 2022 – 93 points

“A ribolla focused on iodine and salty minerality, with aromas of white pepper, seaweed, broom flowers and a touch of dried mushrooms. The attack is soft and silky, with a light to medium body, cedar flavors and a touch of toastiness enhancing the finish. A gem for its quality-price ratio. Drink now.“

de Baguer Single vineyard Merlot 2019 – 94 points

“A complex, precise and vibrant wine with bright cassis fruit, leather, meat and smoke on the nose. Smooth on the palate, with a medium to full body, lifted refreshing acidity and ripe, velvety tannins. A touch of leafiness enhances the aftertaste, adding another layer. Drink or hold.“