Marko Fon

Winemaker Marko Fon is the protagonist of a small artisanal production in the Slovenian Karst, a land as difficult as it is suited to viticulture. Vinogradi Fon, this is the name of the winery, is located in Boriano, a small hamlet in the municipality of Comeno, an area on the border with the Trieste side of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Marko nourishes the ancient family tradition with the aim of enhancing the terroir, a goal pursued through the cultivation of only indigenous vines and, more generally, with a genuine and sincere production approach. Marko took over the reins of the family estate in 1993 following the death of his father, quickly establishing himself as one of the most interested winegrowers in the Slovenian Karst.

Marko Fon manages just 4 hectares of vineyards, planted on red limestone-clay soils particularly rich in minerals. The varieties grown are the traditional ones of the Karst, namely Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana and Teran, cultivated according to a highly sustainable agronomic approach that excludes the use of plant protection products and synthetic chemicals. The vineyards are spread over several plots, often characterised by very advanced ages that favour the quality and concentration of the wines. Harvesting is carried out by hand only when the grapes have reached the right stage of ripeness, accompanied by a careful selection of the grapes, while in the cellar fermentation is entrusted exclusively to indigenous yeasts, with short macerations on the skins for the white grapes, aimed at extracting the essence of the vine and the terroir while maintaining a certain dynamic drinking quality. Malolactic fermentation is usually carried out while stainless steel tanks or large old wooden barrels are used for ageing, depending on the label under consideration. All wines are finally bottled without undergoing any filtration.

Marko Fon’s wines reflect the indomitable mineral essence of the Karst, with a savory and energetic character that strikes from the first taste. These wines, strictly monovarietal, reflect the identity of the starting vines, whether they are the exotic nuances of Malvasia Istriana, the tension of Vitovska or the exuberant intensity of Terrano.