IN BRIEF
- Maribor has been named Best Wine Capital of Europe 2026, surpassing Bordeaux and Porto.
- The world’s oldest vine, growing in Maribor for over 450 years, symbolizes the local winemaking heritage.
- Maribor’s candidacy highlighted authenticity, tourism quality, and the absence of mass tourism.
- The recognition will boost the city’s international promotion, focusing on wine and gastronomic experiences.
- The Štajerska wine region, with Maribor at its heart, was ranked among the top three European destinations for 2026 for its viticultural tradition.
The Slovenian city of Maribor has been named Best Wine Capital of Europe 2026 by the tourism platform European Best Destinations. In the ranking dedicated to European wine capitals, it preceded Bordeaux in second place and Porto in third. Distinguishing Maribor are its viticultural tradition, the world’s oldest vine, and a food, wine, and cultural offering that focuses on authenticity.
THE WORLD’S OLDEST VINE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
Maribor’s historic vine has been growing for over 450 years in the city center and is cited by sources as a symbol of the local enological heritage. Alongside this legacy, the candidacy emphasized the city’s authentic character, the quality of the tourism offering, and the absence of mass tourism.
The selection by European Best Destinations started from over 120 wine destinations. A shortlist of 31 cities was defined by considering viticultural history, international recognition, and the development of the wine tourism offering.
The final ranking evaluated, among other elements, wine quality and reputation, sustainability, wine tourism infrastructure, gastronomy, the integration of culture and wine, accessibility, and value for money.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION FOR MARIBOR AND Štajerska
The recognition is at the center of Maribor’s international promotion. The stated goal is to reach visitors interested in authentic wine, gastronomic, and cultural experiences. The strategy will also involve local operators and institutions.
“The title of European Best Wine Capital 2026 represents an exceptional opportunity for collaboration and international positioning,” stated Jure Struc, director of the Maribor Tourist Board. Struc highlighted the possibility of connecting producers, restaurateurs, cultural institutions, and tourism operators from the city, the Štajerska wine region, and Slovenia into a common narrative.
The Štajerska region, or Slovenian Styria, was also included among the top three European destinations of 2026 in the general European Best Destinations ranking. The portal describes it as “a wine-growing region in northeastern Slovenia, with vine-covered hills and whites produced from, among other varieties, Šipon, Laški Rizling, and Sauvignon Blanc.”
