Ep. 2706 The Gravner Story: Reinventing Wine in Collio Through Georgian Qvevri with Mateja Gravner | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

Welcome to episode 2706 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 247 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is in conversation with Mateja Gravner, the global face of the renowned Collio winery, Gravner. They explore the history of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Collio, and Brda, and the visionary path of Josko Gravner, including his travels across Europe and the U.S. and the ideas he brought back. The conversation also covers a shift toward skin fermentation, and what led to the introduction of Georgian qvevri. More about today’s guest: The Gravner winery is located in Oslavia, a small hamlet in the Collio region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy, on the border with Slovenia. It is world-famous as a pioneering force behind the modern orange wine movement, and for reviving the ancient Georgian technique of fermenting wines in underground terracotta amphorae. Mateja Gravner is a winemaker and the global face of Gravner. Mateja leads the family’s estate and champions the legacy of her father, Joško Gravner, a pioneer who revolutionized the global wine world by reintroducing ancient, natural orange wine techniques. Connect: Website: https://www.gravner.it/#lang  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joskogravner/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matejagravner/?originalSubdomain=it  More about the host: Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel and an award-winning author of 15 books on these topics. Since 2021, he has been the host of the ‘Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon’ weekly series on the Italian Wine Podcast, which now has well over 220 episodes of the show. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025). In addition to his writing and podcasting, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England. Connect: Website:  https://www.quaypress.uk   https://www.marcmillon.co.uk  https://www.vino.co.uk    https://www.quaypress.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!   Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!