September 2025
Autumn Joys and New Experiences
Undiscovered trails and wineries are calling
In the Paradise Valley, autumn arrives slowly and with charm. It provides enough sunny days for carefree wandering along the cycling, hiking and other trails in nature. It quietly opens the doors of wine cellars where the new vintage is being born. In the holiday interlude, it invites visitors to unique experiences. Although the days are shorter, autumn here offers many authentic pleasures.
The season of socializing in the wine cellar
The grapes have been harvested and the cellars are full. Winemakers are nurturing the maturation of their wines, preparing to celebrate the new vintage according to time-honoured tradition. Unlike in other winegrowing regions, in the Vipava Valley this celebration does not end with St. Martin's Day. Local custom sees gatherings in wine cellars continue well into December. Since times when winemakers could only grow their knowledge by exchanging personal experience, they have been visiting each other after St. Martin's Day, tasting wine and sharing tips for successful production. In recent decades this tradition has developed into a series of wine and culinary events collectively known as the Vipava Valley Wine Cellars Between St. Martin's Day and Christmas, preserving the lore and beautifully showcasing the uniqueness of Vipava Valley's wines. More than thirty local grape varieties thrive here, including indigenous ones such as Zelen and Pinela. From the beginning of November until the last week before Christmas, you can explore local flavours and experience the magic of socializing in Vipava Valley's wine cellars. Feasts enriched with folk culture and displays of old customs are often organized by whole villages, while traditional osmica open doors events and many inns and restaurants also invite visitors to taste local delicacies during this time. Celebrating the new wine vintage in the Vipava Valley is always an unforgettable experience for all lovers of wine and authentic traditions.
Where anyone can fly across the sky
The skies of the Vipava Valley fascinate visitors with their sights, often dotted with paragliders. Among free flying enthusiasts, the valley is known as a flying paradise even on a European scale. With two well-maintained takeoff sites, Lijak and Kovk, its geographical setting and microclimate conditions offer more flying days than the other launch sites in Slovenia. Pilots are thrilled by the fact they may glide all the way to the Julian Alps from here, and in ideal weather conditions even further. The new Lijak Green Entry Center recently opened its doors at the popular landing site just below the Lijak takeoff point. Lovers of free flying now have at their disposal a modern hub for training, competitions, and socializing with fliers from all over Europe. Located in a beautiful natural environment, it has an information point where visitors can obtain handy info about free flying and other outdoor activities, nearby attractions, accommodation, and wine and culinary offerings. Would you like to go paragliding? Visitors can enjoy tandem flights with an experienced flight instructor. For those who prefer to stay on the ground, the center offers a virtual paragliding flight – using VR glasses – from Lijak, Kovk, or the takeoff point above Gemona in Italy, whose flying club is friends with those of the Vipava Valley. At the new Entry Center you can rent a bike or charge your e-bike battery, there are playgrounds for the youngest visitors, and you can also buy souvenirs.
Imagine cycling between the castles
For your autumn cycling trips, you can choose diverse routes and enrich your day by exploring wonderful cultural heritage. Up until early November, bike your way to the Rihemberk Castle, impressing with its grandeur and colourful guided experiences. If you choose Nova Gorica as your starting point, visit Kromberk Castle, home to the regional Goriški Museum with its permanent collection. You can also see interesting exhibitions at the nearby Villa Bartolomei in Solkan. While cycling through the Vipava Valley, don't miss the chance to visit the Vipavski Križ, a walled medieval village with the remains of a castle. And if you'd like to cycle even further back in time, through millennia of history, head to Ajdovščina, among the beautifully preserved remains of the Roman Fortress Castra. You can browse these and other routes on the Vipava Valley Outdoor web app, while local tourist guides will be happy to take you on a cycling tour of the castles.
