Maribor named Best Wine Capital of Europe 2026

Maribor has been named the Best Wine Capital of Europe for 2026 by the tourism platform European Best Destinations. In the final ranking, the Slovenian city surpassed Bordeaux and Porto to take the top spot. The selection process evaluated over 120 wine destinations, narrowing them down to a shortlist of 31 based on viticultural history, international recognition, and enotourism development.

Maribor’s recognition is attributed to its authentic wine tradition, the presence of the world’s oldest grapevine—which has grown in the city center for over 450 years—and a tourism model that avoids mass tourism. The award is expected to boost international promotion for the city and the surrounding Štajerska wine region.

In conjunction with its growing reputation, the Vinag cellar in Maribor hosted a festival on October 10, 2026, dedicated to premium spirits and cocktails. The event featured tastings of gin, whiskey, rum, and traditional Balkan rakija, alongside bartender competitions and musical performances by DJ Fabio and saxophonist Erik Sonix.