Slovenian Styria named Europe's best wine region for 2027
Slovenia has received another international recognition. Steiermark It has been declared the best wine region in Europe for 2027, according to the selection of the European Best Destinations organization. In a competition with more than 90 European wine regions, it surpassed destinations with a long tradition and strong international recognition.
The award was officially presented on October 1st in Maribor, and Styria won 19.5 out of a possible 20 points and 9.8 out of 10 points according to the index of quality of the wine experience.
Maribor, Ptuj and the wine roads conquered Europe
The advantage of Štajerska lies in the combination of wine tradition, gastronomy, nature and tourist offer. The region includes Maribor, Ptuj, Jeruzalem, Haloze, Slovenske gorice, Ravno polje and Pohorje.
Maribor in particular stands out, where a vine that is more than 450 years old is grown and has been recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. The city has already been named the best European wine capital for 2026.
Steiermark is known for its white wines such as Šipon, Laško and Rajnski rizling, as well as Sauvignon. It offers visitors wine trails, historical wine cellars, tastings, and accommodation in vineyard surroundings.
Behind Slovenia are Italy, Spain and France
In second place was the Italian region of Langhe-Roero-Monferrato, known for Nebbiolo wines and the Pienza gastronomy. Third place was taken by the Spanish Ribeira Sacra, recognizable for its vineyards on steep river slopes.
Next are the Austrian Kamptal and the Italian Chianti Rufina. The French regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé took sixth place.
When evaluating the wines, not only were they considered; authenticity, tourist infrastructure, sustainability, landscape, gastronomy, and the overall experience of visitors were also taken into account. This was the selection of the organization European Best Destinations, not a global competition for wine quality.
The recognition comes at a time of growth in tourism
The new title comes after good tourist results. In the first half of 2026, Styria recorded 428,647 overnight stays, which is 7.5 percent more than a year earlier. The number of tourist arrivals increased by 6.6 percent, to 191,034.
Croatian guests were among the leading markets in the region in terms of the number of nights spent, immediately behind domestic visitors.
For travel agencies, hotels and tour operators, the recognition opens up additional opportunities for developing wine and gastronomic programs. The proximity of Croatia, Austria and Hungary is particularly beneficial for shorter trips, weekend arrangements and individual wine tours.
Steiermark thus gains a strong promotional argument for attracting visitors. international guests, Especially those seeking authentic experiences outside the most famous European wine destinations.
