From March 2 to 8, 2026, Klet Brda will participate in one of the most influential wine showcases in the world. At all three editions of Great Wines World 2026 – in New York, Miami and San Francisco – organized by leading American wine critic James Suckling, Klet Brda will once again contribute to positioning Slovenia on the global wine map, alongside the wineries Marjan Simčič Domaine and Ferdinand.

Participation in the Great Wines World events is by invitation only, based on strict selection criteria. This year, 350 selected wineries from around the world will present their wines in both New York and Miami, while 200 will take part in San Francisco. Klet Brda is proud to be included in this distinguished group for the second consecutive year, confirming the consistent quality and international recognition of its wines.

The renewed invitation and participation in all three editions provide direct access to a global community of premium buyers, distributors and influential wine professionals. Klet Brda has been present in the United States for many years, operating its own distribution through Laureate Imports and collaborating with an extensive network of 39 distributors nationwide. Suckling’s ratings and the invitation to Great Wines World 2026 represent strong support for the winery’s long-term strategic development and further expansion in the U.S. market.

Strengthening the international visibility of Goriška Brda and Slovenia

Beyond the presentation of wines, participation in Great Wines World serves as a highly visible international platform for promoting the unique story of the Brda terroir and Slovenia as a distinctive wine-producing country. The presence of Brda wineries at this prestigious event was first established by Marjan Simčič Domaine, Ferdinand, and Movia, and Klet Brda is proud to continue this shared effort for the second consecutive year.

Together, these wineries are strengthening Slovenia’s recognition on the global wine map and reinforcing the role of Rebula as a key ambassador of the region’s historic winegrowing heritage. With the support of an influential critic such as James Suckling, Slovenian wines are gaining visibility and credibility among the most demanding international markets, contributing to the long-term development and reputation of the country’s wine sector.

The most influential American wine and gastronomy platform, JamesSuckling.com, has once again recognized the exceptional quality of wines from the Klet Brda Cellar and the de Baguer Cellar. All evaluated wines received over 92 points, with three earning 94 points. By invitation from James Suckling, both wineries will be showcased in March 2026 at the prestigious Great Wines World event in New York, as well as at follow-up shows in Miami and San Francisco. Such high scores and participation in Suckling’s events serve as an important endorsement, particularly for American distributors and buyers.

The wines were evaluated by Aldo Fiordelli, Senior Editor at JamesSuckling.com responsible for Italy and France:

“Whenever I visit Brda, I am consistently impressed by the quality of the wines and the dedication of the winemakers. Their passion shines through in every bottle. I believe Brda wines are now far more consistent than in the past, both in viticulture and winemaking, and the region’s identity in the global wine market will only grow stronger. Among Klet Brda wines, I was particularly struck by the Bagueri Sauvignon Blanc. While reference Sauvignon Blancs typically come from the Loire or New Zealand, this wine stands out with its own distinctive character – exceptionally clean, fruity, and multi-layered. I was equally impressed by Krasno Ribolla Gialla, which showcases the mineral character typical of the region, paired with a silky texture and a precise, elegant finish.”

Klet Brda Cellar:

Bagueri Rebula and Bagueri Merlot, both from the 2021 vintage, each received 92 points. Krasno Rebula 2023 earned 93 points, while the standout from the Kleti Brda portfolio was Bagueri Sauvignon Blanc 2021, which achieved an impressive 94 points.

de Baguer Cellar:

de Baguer Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc 2020 and A Plus Belo 2020 each earned 92 points, while de Baguer Merlot-Cabernet Franc 2019 and A Plus Rdeče 2019 were rated an impressive 94 points.

The U.S. market, where Klet Brda has been present for 40 years, remains one of the winery’s most important export destinations, historically accounting for half of its exports. Today, the wines are available in 42 states. Over time, the brand has established a strong presence in the mid-price segment, while the higher-end and premium segment is expanding with de Baguer Cellar wines. In this top tier, price is no barrier for consumers, making premiumization a key focus for the U.S. portfolio.

Maintaining top quality and consistency is fundamental. High scores from respected wine critics make the wines especially attractive to leading American distributors and discerning buyers. In the premium segment, there is also less price sensitivity—a factor of growing importance given recent changes in U.S. customs regulations. Ratings from the influential wine and gastronomy platform JamesSuckling.com provide a strong boost to sales, with wines scoring over 90 points in 2023 and 2024 selling out quickly at Klet Brda.

Read Aldo Fiordelli’s article at the following link: Ode to Freshness: A New Chapter for Brda’s Cool-Climate Wines | JamesSuckling.com