Zgornje Vrtiče · Slovenian Styria · Slovenia
Hiša 1624. Across the border. Among the vines.
Slovenian hills, an old winegrower's house and a pool looking out over the landscape. An intimate stay made for slow mornings, good dinners and a journey that takes the border in its stride.
Come along ↓
Our compass
Choose a place. Give it time.
- Scale
- Four rooms and suites; guests aged 18+
- Setting
- The Slovenian side of the wine-country border
- Our pace
- Two or three nights, one outing a day
Hiša 1624 is a good reason not to stop at the Austrian side of the border when exploring South Styria. The vineyard landscape continues, along with houses worth a stay of their own. This one delighted us: historic architecture, contemporary detail and a view that needs no embellishment.
We stayed in August 2024, so our photographs show green summer hills rather than October colour. The autumn plan is our suggestion for a future visit, not a promise of room availability or particular weather.
01 · Hiša 1624.
A house with a past. A contemporary outlook.
Hiša belongs to the Leber family and feels appropriately intimate for a property with four accommodation units. We especially liked the meeting of the original house and its new architecture. White walls and roof remain clearly legible, while the modern wing brings the landscape inside.
COINHAB designed the conversion. The year in the name refers to the history of the house; its present form is a contemporary transformation. It rewards travellers who notice materials and proportions as closely as a wine list.
02 · Hiša 1624.
Water, two chairs and a generous view.
Our camera kept returning to the pool. The glazed space and vineyard outlook give relaxation a very particular setting; there is no need to add a long list of attractions. We enjoy this kind of stay most when an afternoon remains free.
The current offer includes an indoor pool, two saunas and massage baths. Facilities and layouts vary between rooms, so select a specific category if a private bath or separate living area matters to you. The property welcomes adults aged eighteen and over.
03 · Hiša 1624.
OPOK27. Another Slovenian table we remember.
First came the wooden gables above the vineyards, then the plates and an evening with its own pace. We visited OPOK27 during our August 2024 stay. Looking through the photographs, this table clearly deserved a place beside the better-known Hiša Denk.
Katja and Gregor Leber-Vračko run the restaurant. Its current offer combines seasonal cooking with their own wines; a five-course menu should be arranged when booking. Our photographs recall that dinner, rather than promise today's dishes. We have not guessed ingredients or dish names from the pictures.
04 · Hiša 1624.
One hill, or a whole day among vines.
For us, a good day here often has just two fixed points: a view and a table. Between them, an ordinary walk can be quite enough. Keep to the paths rather than entering private vineyards for a photograph.
The suggestions below are researched ideas for your stay. Our photographs show the actual Svečina and Plač area, not every named trail. Arrange tasting after cycling and settle the return journey first.
Plački vrh: a view across the border
Plački stolp is a clear destination for a shorter day. The municipality lists a 28-metre tower accessible on foot, by bicycle or by car. Our panoramic photograph was taken from this viewpoint.
The reference address is Podigrac 10. Choose access using the current map; we have not claimed an unverified walking distance from the hotel. Skip the tower in strong wind or rain.
Official details and map ↗VinoTOUR: the red route
Around 11 km and three hours walking according to the organiser, starting for example in Svečina. The network links wine farms on both sides of the border. Our source does not establish elevation gain or a consistent surface.
Allow at least half a day, longer with stops. Open the current route map before setting out and verify winery opening separately. A shorter alternative is Čajžič from Zgornja Kungota, within an hour according to the municipality.
Official details and map ↗Špičnik: a heart among vineyards
The famous view of the heart-shaped road belongs to the Dreisiebner farm in Špičnik. A useful standalone stop when you want a short viewpoint visit rather than a full walking day.
Špičnik 1. This is a visitor viewpoint at a private farm; check entry conditions first. Do not assume unrestricted free public access. Tastings need booking.
Official details and map ↗05 · Hiša 1624.
Two nights between the pool and a good table.
After arrival we would stay at Hiša, then leave the evening for OPOK27. On the second day, choose either a short viewpoint visit and a slow lunch or VinoTOUR; there is no obligation to squeeze both in. Book Hiša Denk as the main food event of a separate day.
In rain, the hotel's own facilities make sense. For an outing, Maribor's Oldest Grapevine house has a wine shop and indoor tasting space; arrange a visit ahead. Leber's dedicated tasting venue is at a different address from the hotel. A public tasting every evening at Hiša should not be assumed.
Before you go
A few useful details.
- Hotel address
- Zgornje Vrtiče 3, 2201 Zgornja Kungota. Podigrac 19 is the Leber winery/farm address, not this accommodation.
- Rooms and price
- Four rooms and suites for adults aged 18+. Confirm the rate, breakfast, wellness access and room category in your dated offer; no undated exact price is quoted here.
- Hiša Denk in autumn
- The restaurant has announced a closure from 2 to 12 November 2026 inclusive. Reserving a table is a separate step.
Our memories. Checked facts.
Personal stays and visits come from David and Robík's travel records and supplied photographs. Additional walks and addresses are clearly marked as editorial suggestions. Photographs are from September 2021 and August 2024. Practical sources checked on 16 October 2026; menus, opening and availability can change.
Updated:
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Where it is
Hiša 1624
Zgornje Vrtiče · Slovenian Styria · Slovenia
Zgornje Vrtiče 3, 2201 Zgornja Kungota, Slovenia
Drawing the map…
The Dobrý směr verdict
Across the border. Among the vines.
We loved Hiša 1624 for its scale and relationship with the landscape. No grand expedition is needed: a good house, a few hills and two memorable tables can fill a stay.
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