Krka Vineyard Estate

A bourgeois vineyard cottage built in the early 19th century, its story began under the ownership of lawyer and notary Dr. Josef Suppan. Even then, its architectural design and size stood out among other wine cellars, as such vineyard cottages were typically owned by distinguished and wealthy merchants, innkeepers, hoteliers, and industrialists. In 1860, the estate passed into the hands of merchant Karl Pollack, who renovated the cottage and added a press room, signaling its central role in winemaking.

The Remec family also left a significant mark on the property, renovating it in the 20th century according to the plans of renowned architect Jože Plečnik.

A major turning point in the history of Krka’s Vineyard Cottage came with the arrival of agronomy graduate Ivan Rataj, an expert in viticulture, who purchased the estate in the 1930s. Thanks to Ivan and his wife Vida, the estate flourished, becoming one of the largest and most modern vineyard estates in the Dolenjska region. It was among the first in the area to cultivate the Portugieser grape variety. Vida Rataj also opened a wine tavern on the estate, which quickly became a popular destination for Sunday outings and social gatherings among Novo mesto’s elite.

In 1977, the estate was acquired by the Novo mesto-based pharmaceutical company Krka, which transformed it into a tourism and hospitality complex. Today, it is managed by Terme Krka, which completed a full renovation of the vineyard cottage in 2024—including the replacement of its iconic thatched roof.