Simon Simčič: It is important to look forward and at the same time respect tradition

To start. Your family has a rich wine tradition that dates back to 1812. When and how did the history of today's Medot brand begin to be written?
When the locals used to go to see my great-grandfather Metod Simčič, they used to say: "Let's go to Medot!" This is how the name of our house was preserved even when the real winemaking roots were consolidated by grandfather Zvonimir Simčič - Miro. My father focused more on international business at a young age, he also founded the high-profile sailing project Esimit Europa, and I myself took over business in Slovenia, including our family wine tradition. We bottled the first sparkling wine according to the classic method in 1987, and the first bottle under the Medot brand dates from 1992.

Your grandfather Zvonimir Simčič carried the Goriška brda in his heart and did a lot for the recognition of this region, which Slovenians like to call "Slovenian Tuscany". How do you see his contribution to the development of the Goriške brd? Which of his values and qualities do you most appreciate and perhaps try to emulate?
Nono Miro was a simple man, connected to the land through the family tradition of viticulture. Due to his advanced thinking and principles, he earned a great reputation not only in the local environment, but also among winemakers from all over Europe. He was the director of the cooperative in Goriška brdy and, thanks to his determination, the yellow rebula, an autochthonous Briška variety, was preserved. At that time, most people planted French vine varieties, and because of the difference, Zvonimir Simčič – Miro saw an opportunity in it. From him I learned everything about wine, hard work and connection with nature and the land. It is important to look forward, to the future, but at the same time respect tradition.

Let's touch on the sparkling wine. Why exactly yellow ribs? In a few words, how would you convince us that Medot sparkling wines are a must-try this December? What flavors and aromas intertwine in them?
It is precisely because the yellow ribula is our indigenous variety that we can get the most out of it under our conditions. All Medot sparkling wines are based on the yellow ribula, which makes them one of the few in the world that uses this variety in the classic method. Golden, yellow and green shades are characteristic, and the flavors of our sparkling wines are such that people remember them. And since wine is a work of art, as my nono already said, taste is on the user's side. Everyone can choose which one suits them best. However, the yellow rib has moved from the local to the global level, and the efforts of the winemakers from Brig are beginning to receive gold-plated recognitions from the international profession. Our sparkling wines receive gold medals at world competitions. This year we also took part in the first master tasting, dedicated to the yellow rebula, where thirteen Brig winemakers from both sides of the border presented their rebula of different styles to experts and influential wine writers from all over the world.

How are Medot sparkling wines made? What is the process that brings sparkling wine from the vineyard to the table?
Medot sparkling wines are produced according to the classic champenoise method. This means that the second fermentation, which makes the famous bubbles of sparkling wine, takes place in each bottle separately and not in cisterns, as is typical of the charmat method. At the Medot homestead, we pay special attention to vintage millésime sparkling wines, which come from grapes from only one harvest. If during the tasting we find that the individual harvest is exceptional, then the wine is bottled and matured into a special series of sparkling wines called Medot Millésime. Also, Medot sparkling wines are matured on yeast for a very long time, four or more years, while vintage sparkling wines are matured on yeast for seven or more years. In addition to all this, quality and taste control is key, and we invest a lot in this at Medot, both from the point of view of the participating wine consultants and from the technological point of view.

The times when sparkling wine was only drunk as an aperitif are behind us. With what food do you recommend drinking Medot sparkling wine?
Our sparkling wines can accompany everything from appetizers to desserts. For each of them, we have expert recommendations on which foods to go with. Some go with fresh dishes, such as oysters, carpaccio, some with seafood or white meat. Sparkling wines can complement food extremely harmoniously.

This fall, your family embarked on a new business journey. In the very heart of the Goriška brd, you have bought Gredič, which is known throughout Slovenia from the series Ena žlahtna štorija. Why did you actually decide to expand your activity into the culinary and hotel industry?
Our family tradition and the tradition of the Medot homestead is deeply rooted in this landscape. We want Brda to continue to develop, and I believe that the new Gredič team can also contribute to this. It is a great responsibility and honor to continue the life's work of our ancestors - especially in the direction of the development and success of the Goriška brd. We are also renovating our Medot homestead, which we will present in more detail next year, but there is certainly enough room to upgrade the offer in Brdy, which complements the wine experience, which already competes with the best in the world. In doing so, the activities are intertwined, but the commitment to the place remains.

The work of your grandfather and father definitely left an impression on you. Who exactly is Simon Simčič winemaker, businessman, sailor?
Above all, I know that Slovenians can easily compete with the best in the world. A businessman - with respect for the fertility of our land - and yes, still a sailing enthusiast.