Slovenske Konjice
Carthusian monks brought 800-year wine tradition; Zlati Grič's 1.3M-liter cellar and Žička Kartuzija anchor Slovenia's most beautiful small town.
Slovenske Konjice has been named Slovenia's most beautiful small town multiple times—a recognition that reflects eight centuries of wine cultivation and the landscapes it shaped. Carthusian monks brought viticulture here; their legacy continues at Žička Kartuzija, where the charterhouse now ages sparkling wines in medieval cellars. The tradition never interrupted.
Zlati Grič ("Golden Hill") winery exemplifies the continuity. Seventy hectares of vineyards produce Rhine Riesling, Welschriesling, Traminer, and other varieties that continental climate and clay-limestone soils favor. The cellar stores 1.3 million liters across 3,500 square meters. A nine-hole golf course and restaurant compound the tourism offering. What began as monastic agriculture became vertically integrated hospitality.
The setting contributes as much as the product. Vineyards descend from hilltops where 15th-century mansions now offer accommodation. The views that attracted Carthusian contemplation now attract visitors seeking beauty as well as wine. The combination—historic architecture, working vineyards, integrated tourism—creates a destination that transcends cellar-door sales.
By 2026, Slovenske Konjice will likely intensify its positioning as Slovenia's premium wine-tourism destination. The 800-year tradition provides authenticity that cannot be manufactured; the monastic connection adds spiritual resonance. What monks cultivated for devotion now cultivates visitors for revenue.