The family celebrated its 55th Anniversary of Istenič Sparkling Wines in October 2023. Its fine wines have been enjoyed by popes, presidents, athletes, and artists and critics all over the world.
Mark & Nik, the third generation of Istenič, take over the family business
Mark and Nik Istenič are aware that they are stepping into big shoes. Their goal is to introduce the wonderful world of Bizeljsko sparkling wines to their generation.
This press release was originally dated 30th September 30 2023 – Yesterday, at Istenič Sparkling Wines, the family and friends celebrated the 55th anniversary of the family business’ founding and introduced the third generation of the family to the public, as twin brothers Mark and Nik Istenič officially entered the business. In the coming decades, they will navigate between the classic perfection of their grandfather Janez and the top-notch experiments of their father Miha, all while seeking their own youthful path forward. The guests, who came from all over Slovenia and neighbouring countries to Stara Vas na Bizeljskem in Slovenia, were also introduced to three new sparkling wines by the Istenič family. Three young chefs – Tomaž Bratovž (JB), Mojmir Šiftar (PEN Klub), and Zala Pungeršič (Masterchef 2023) – each prepared a dish that paired excellently with the selected sparkling wines, and many well-known faces enjoyed these exquisite combinations.
Janez Istenič walks his vines.
Building on strong foundations
Penine Istenič wouldn’t exist without its founder, the legendary Janez Istenič, who began producing sparkling wines using the traditional method at a time when no one understood his vision to make sparkling wines in Bizeljsko.
His visionary work in winemaking evolved into one of the most recognizable Slovenian brands through the work of his son Miha Istenič, who emphasized, “Sparkling wines are like leather shoes; they never go out of style; new generations just need to learn to appreciate them.” It’s for this reason, among others, that the baton was officially passed from grandfather and father to brothers Mark and Nik Istenič yesterday, the former being an agronomy engineer on the cusp of completing his Masters in horticulture, and the latter on the verge of completing his master’s in economics.
On this occasion, the Mayor of Brežice, Ivan Molan, addressed the audience: “It is only now that we truly realize the exceptional importance of Janez Istenič’s life’s work, as he selflessly shared knowledge and encouraged collaboration in the region. I look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future, as their ideas align with our plans for tourism development in the municipality.”
Keeping the pioneering spirit in the face of climate change
The young Istenič brothers will divide their work according to their education, but they express a willingness to learn from each other. Mark Istenič, who will primarily focus on cultivation and cellaring, said they are well aware that they are stepping into big shoes. “Penine Istenič was a pioneer in many ways, and we want to continue that legacy. Perhaps our story will take a new direction, one entirely our own, as only then can we continue the trend of being the first. Maybe some experiments won’t succeed, but if one or two do, we have achieved our goal,” said Mark Istenič, who spent the past few months gaining experience at one of the best wineries in the Southern Hemisphere, Stefano Lubiana in Australia, specifically in Tasmania, where he was greeted every morning by sweet-toothed wallabies.
“I am proud that we can continue the family tradition into the third generation. The opportunity to evolve further is a great privilege. We are aware that we will face challenges due to climate change, but regardless of the circumstances, we aim for the highest quality and to continue the vision of Penine Istenič,” added Nik Istenič, who will be more focused on marketing and brand management. He is also excited to join his brother in crafting wine in the cellar, as they have both enjoyed experimenting with fermentation since childhood, such as with kombuchas, and they are currently interested in sourdough bread making.
Innovations and plans, including Desiree 0%
Brothers Mark and Nik are full of plans, and they presented some yesterday, including the categorisation of sparkling wines into three comprehensive groups – unfiltered sparkling wines with minimal intervention and no sulfur (No. 1, Rare, Cuvée Natura), classic sparkling wines (Barbara, Gourmet Rose, Prestige…), and flavored sparkling wines (Desiree).
“This way, we can focus more on the development of each individual line and ensure we can satisfy all tastes,” agreed Mark and Nik Istenič. As representatives of the younger generation, they are aware that more and more young people seek non-alcoholic alternatives even on special occasions. Therefore, they plan to develop non-alcoholic flavored sparkling wine, Desiree. Their big wish for the future is to promote more collaboration among different providers in Bizeljsko and introduce new, modern tourism approaches to complement heritage preservation.
Quality Over Quantity
Additionally, they want to strengthen the presence of Penine Istenič brand on social media and rejuvenate the Sparkling Wine Lovers’ Club, founded by their father Miha a quarter of a century ago, which has seen almost a thousand club members over the years. “We want to create a community where younger generations can learn together, develop their tastes, have discussions about what they like and don’t like, and thus discover the incredibly rich world of sparkling wines,” says Mark. Nik adds that they also won’t take themselves too seriously, “We want to be creative and fun, to bring our sparkling wines closer to our generation while developing a drinking culture that emphasizes quality over quantity.”
“Running together” for some more time
The Istenič boys publicly thanked their grandfather Janez at the event, who, touched by their gratitude, advised them to constantly strive for improvement.
“Being a winemaker was not a job for me; it was a way of life. In recent years, we’ve seen more than ten new sparkling winemakers in Bizeljsko alone; the competition is much stronger than when I started. Understand that sparkling wine is not just a celebration; it also requires dedication in the vineyard and in the cellar,” said Janez Istenič, who, in 1968, produced the first hundred bottles of sparkling wine using the traditional method, naming it Barbara in honor of his daughter, whose birth he learned about while in the vineyard. This is also the oldest Slovenian sparkling wine brand.
Miha Istenič, who’s name named the first Slovenian red sparkling wine a few years later, is proud of his sons and their bold step into the family business. “During family discussions, I often emphasised to them not to say ‘yes’ if they had the slightest doubt. The way they said ‘yes’ is the greatest reward for me. Of course, we will run together for some time, although I have actually stepped back from a managerial role and officially become a farmer.”