On the rolling hills of Sremič, between Krško and Brestanica, the story of the Kunej family has been growing for more than 130 years – a story that unites a love for vines, wine, and – quite uniquely – chocolate. It all began in 1886, when great-great-grandfather Anton Kunej married into a homestead in Brestanica. Since then, winemaking has been passed down from generation to generation – today, the family estate is led by Aleš Kunej, together with his wife Emanuela, supported by his parents Lojze and Danica.
Vineyards on Prestigious Slopes
The Kunej family cultivates five hectares of vineyards across three exceptional locations in the Posavje wine-growing region, where a favorable microclimate allows for perfect grape ripening. Their main grape varieties include Blaufränkisch (Modra Frankinja), Merlot, Chardonnay, Yellow Muscat, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. A centuries-old yew tree stands in the center of their largest vineyard – a living witness to the history of this area, once cultivated by Trappist monks from the nearby Rajhenburg Castle.
A Winery with Soul
The first Kunej cellar operated in an old wine cottage on Sremič. Today, their wines mature in a modern, underground wine cellar in Brestanica, which provides natural cooling and humidity – ideal conditions for aging. The cellar is equipped with stainless-steel tanks, but also features oak barrique barrels where their full-bodied red wines – Merlot, Blaufränkisch, and Pinot Noir – mature to perfection. These wines express the hallmark of the Kunej house – rich, ripe, and elegant. The winery has a total capacity of 80,000 liters, including space dedicated to sparkling wines, another specialty of the Kunej family.
Chocolate Wine – an Innovation from Posavje
What truly sets Vina Kunej apart is their Chocolate Wine – a pioneering innovation both in Slovenia and across Europe. This dessert wine, which the Kunej family has successfully marketed for over ten years, is a unique blend of aged red wine and dark chocolate. The result is a refined, seductive wine with a rich taste and a smooth, sweet finish, adored by wine lovers and chocolate enthusiasts alike. The Chocolate Wine has become the signature creation of the Kunej winery, symbolizing their creativity, boldness, and dedication to craftsmanship.
The Kunej Chocolate Story
The love for chocolate was brought into the family by Emanuela Kunej, a food technologist by profession. In 2013, the Kunej family opened a chocolate workshop near Rajhenburg Castle, and today it operates right on their family estate in Brestanica, alongside the wine cellar and boutique shop. Here, visitors can discover handcrafted chocolate bars, pralines, bonbon boxes, chocolate wines, and many other delights – all available for tasting and purchase directly at the estate.
An Experience for All the Senses
At Hiša Kunej (The Kunej House), guests can enjoy wine and chocolate tastings, educational workshops, or rent a tasting room or apartment in the vineyard cottage on Sremič. The combination of wine and chocolate has become a hallmark of the Kunej family – a symbol of creativity, warmth, and respect for tradition, which they continue to carry proudly into the future.
KUNEJ Wine & Chocolate d.o.o.
📍 Cesta prvih borcev 40, 8280 Brestanica, Slovenia
📞 +386 31 337 526
📧 [email protected]
