Gravner

Joško Gravner – millennia-old tradition and the unique expression of ‘Ribolla Gialla’

Joško Gravner is a winemaker who follows millennia-old winemaking traditions in order to reveal the true identity of ‘Ribolla Gialla’ and other local grape varieties. By fermenting white wine in the same way as red—on the grape skins—he created a distinctive style now widely known as natural or orange wine, defined by its unique production method and singular character.

Unique production methods

Gravner’s vineyards cover just 15 hectares across Italy and Slovenia, producing only around 24,000 bottles per year, as the winemaker prioritizes uncompromising quality. As early as 1982, in pursuit of greater excellence, Joško Gravner was the first in the region to begin cutting excess grape bunches. This ensured that only the finest grapes remained, guaranteeing that every bottle would be not only high quality but full of character. Vines grown in calcareous marl soils yield just 400–700 grams of grapes, meaning that the family must harvest from two to three vines to produce a single bottle of wine.

Gravner’s amphorae – tradition and innovation

Since 1997, Joško Gravner has been experimenting with Georgian terracotta amphorae, which have become central to his winemaking philosophy. In the early 2000s, in search of authentic vessels, he traveled to Georgia, where he found skilled craftsmen and succeeded in importing historic clay amphorae to Italy. The beginning was challenging—the first shipment was damaged, with nine amphorae breaking—but after five years and more than 100 commissioned vessels, a collection of 46 amphorae was assembled and is still used in production today.