This area lies between two mountainous borders, two spurs of the Alps. The northeastern chain divides the area from Haloze; the southwestern mountain chain rises over 1000 meters (3,280 ft.). The soils are similar to those in Haloze - mostly mid-Tertiary sandstone based on dolomite rock, the preferred viticultural sites are those with a high proportion of marl - but the relief is less intense. The two border mountain ranges make the climate generally cooler than in Haloze, and the overall microclimatic conditions make this area less suitable for viticulture than the rest of eastern Slovenia.
The northwestern part of the area is climatically somewhat similar to the Maribor area. Here hilltop sites are preferred, especially those protected by surrounding higher wooded hills. The central part is higher in relief with fewer suitable sites. The southeastern part - the Virštajn sub-area - is warmer and lower, and vineyards are more abundant.
The area's growers have learned to compensate for its less generous nature by carefully choosing their sites and vines. Their pride is a special, fresh Laški Rizling, the vine grown in 30% of all vineyards; Chardonnay and Beli Pinot also achieve admirable quality in Šmarje-Virštajn. Local producers even try their hand at Traminec, which can turn out surprisingly good in climatically ideal years.
The true specialty of this area, however, is Modra Frankinja, consistently among the best in Slovenia. Modra Portugalka, Žametna Črnina, and Modri Pinot are also cultivated with good results, but the proportion of red varieties is declining.
As in the other areas of Posavje, blends are quite popular, along with excellent rosé wines. Among white blends, Laški Rizling dominates, while red wines are based on Žametna Črnina and Modra Portugalka. The best known blended wines are the white and red Virštajnčan. However, the proportion of traditional blends is declining as winegrowers are turning more and more to varietal wines.
