Vineyards set amidst rolling hills and narrow roads, where nearly every bend offers a unique vantage point, characterize the drive through Jeruzalem. This Slovenian region, bordering Croatia’s Međimurje, is ideal for enthusiasts of slow travel, wine tourism, and local cuisine. The area lies along the Drava River, and Središće ob Dravi is home to Jeruzalem SAT Oljarna, a producer renowned for its pumpkin seed oil. The complexity of this production process is illustrated by the fact that a single liter of oil requires 33 pumpkins, or nearly three kilograms of dried seeds from the Styrian oil pumpkin variety.
The oil smells of nuts
The dried seeds are ground, mixed with warm water, and then lightly roasted to develop the distinctive nutty aroma for which this oil is known. This oil mill produces it using traditional methods. After pressing, the oil settles and clarifies naturally, without additives or chemical processes, and is bottled in glass to preserve its quality and flavor. Due to its high zinc content and beneficial health effects, locals often refer to this pumpkin seed oil as Viagra from Prlekija.
Prlekija is the name of the region situated between the Mura and Drava rivers and the Croatian border, and it is home to Gostišče Taverna. Owner Dino Kruhoberec combines local ingredients and traditional recipes with wines from nearby cellars. The menu is dominated by typical Prlekija dishes, such as meso iz tünke (potted pork preserved in lard) known as meso z tiblice in the neighboring Međimurje region. Other popular choices include Prlekija-style steak with buckwheat žganci (polenta), potato gratin and homemade fresh mushroom soup with buckwheat dumplings. They are also renowned for Prleška gibanica and postržjača, a traditional cakes characteristic of the area.
Šipon or Sauvignon makes life better
Nearby stands Zidanica Malek, a typical Prlekija-style cottage that once served winemakers as a shelter, a storage space and a place to rest after working in the vineyard. The owners from Puklavec Family Wines have transformed it into one of the region's most charming wine tourism spots. It is distinguished by a sense of complete seclusion and tranquility. The interior exudes rustic charm, featuring wooden details and a simple, warm atmosphere, while the exterior offers the chance to enjoy the beauty of the vineyards with a glass of Šipon or Sauvignon.
The aforementioned Puklavec Family Wines winery in Ormož, located right on the Croatian border, has a unique story that blends modern technology with a rich winemaking tradition. It is one of the largest and most technologically advanced wine producers in Slovenia. With a capacity of 4.7 million liters, the facility boasts impressive features, including a chimney-shaped gravity-flow cellar spanning five underground levels and an archive housing 250,000 bottles of wine, the oldest dating back to 1959.
Freshness, minerality and elegance
Today, the focus is on fresh white wines, with special attention paid to the Šipon variety, a signature of this part of Slovenia. It is known as Moslavac and Pušipel in Croatia, and as Furmint worldwide. Šipon wines are characterized by freshness, minerality, and elegant aromas. Croatia is currently the winery's largest export market. It is also worth noting that no highway vignette is required for the drive there.
