The Brda hills begin on the western edge of Nova Gorica and roll for about twenty kilometres up to the Italian Collio. The same geology, the same grapes, the same families on both sides of an arbitrary border — when border controls finally went in 2004, locals on both sides celebrated by tearing the customs gates down themselves. Today this is one of the best wine regions in Slovenia, particularly for Rebula (Ribolla Gialla) and the orange skin-contact whites that put the region on the international map.
The picturesque village of Smartno, ringed by its medieval defensive walls, is the obvious base. Drive or cycle from there through villages like Medana and Vipolze, stopping at family wineries — Movia, Edi Simcic, and Klinec are well-known names but smaller cellars welcome drop-ins too. Cherry season in late May is the other reason to come.