Slovenia is often called a land of vineyards, and people in several parts of the country have made their livelihoods by making and selling wine. In some regions – particularly Dolenjska (Lower Carniola), Bela Krajina, and parts of Štajerska (Slovenian Styria), a distinctive kind of building emerged among the vineyards: a vineyard cottage known as “zidanica.”

The term comes from the Slovenian verb “zidati” – to build. Many are now made out of brick, but traditional wooden vineyard cottages can still be seen in places. Traditionally, the upper floor of the building was used primarily as a storage area for tools, while the area beneath was reserved for the grape press and several barrels of wine.

The design varies from region to region. In Bela Krajina, the lower floor typically takes the form of an underground cellar, while in most other regions, the entire structure is built above ground.

In one Bela Krajina village, Drašiči, the local “zidanica” was a communal structure. It functioned as a sort of bank, from which villagers could borrow wine as long as they returned it with interest – in other words, more than they took out. The proceeds from this unique wine bank were also used to help villagers in needs – to pay for funeral costs, for instance.

Today, there are more than 17,000 vineyard cottages in southern Slovenia alone. Many “zidanicas” have now been transformed into vacation homes, while others are open to visitors. Since Slovenian vineyards tend to be found on steep hills, the cottages typically offer attractive views of the surrounding countryside. They also enable tourists to try the local wine and traditional culinary specialties – suckling pig is a common dish --, as well as to experience the heart-felt hospitality that is so characteristic of winegrowing parts of Slovenia.