Kristian Keber

is a Slovenian winemaker renowned for his commitment to natural and biodynamic viticulture. He operates in both the Goriška Brda region of Slovenia and the Collio area of Italy, producing wines that reflect the unique terroirs of these regions.

🍇 Vineyard & Terroir

Keber's Slovenian vineyard, located in Medana, spans 1.7 hectares and was inherited from his maternal grandfather. The vineyard is situated on terraces with Ponca soil, a marl and sandstone mixture rich in minerals, characteristic of the Brda region. The estate practices organic farming, with manual labor and minimal intervention, including the use of natural sprays derived from brown algae and sulfur.

In addition to his Slovenian estate, Keber is involved in the historic Edi Keber winery in Cormons, Italy, located on the Zegla hill near the Slovenian border. This winery, established in 1957, produces a single wine—a blend of native Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia Istriana—fermented and aged in traditional concrete tanks.

🍷 Winemaking Philosophy

Keber adheres to a natural winemaking approach characterized by spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts, extended skin contact, and minimal intervention. His wines are unfiltered and contain minimal sulfur additions, typically between 2 to 4 mg free sulfur and up to 10 mg total sulfur. Notably, Keber opts for aging his wines in glass vessels (damigianas) rather than traditional wooden barrels, allowing for a purer expression of the fruit and terroir.

In his Slovenian estate, Keber produces a single wine named "BRDA," which is a blend of Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, and Malvasia Istriana. The grapes undergo five months of maceration and fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by two years of aging in oak barrels. The wine is bottled without filtration, aiming to express the essence of the Brda terroir.

🍷 Notable Wines

  • BRDA: A skin-contact orange wine made from Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, and Malvasia Istriana grapes. It undergoes extended maceration and fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by aging in oak barrels. The wine is unfiltered and showcases the minerality and complexity of the Brda terroir.

  • Collio Bianco: Produced at the Edi Keber winery in Italy, this wine is a blend of Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia Istriana. The grapes are fermented and aged in traditional concrete tanks, resulting in a wine that reflects the unique characteristics of the Collio region.

🏡 Wine Tourism & Gastronomy

While Keber's estate in Medana is not widely known for wine tourism, his wines are available through various online retailers, allowing enthusiasts to experience his distinctive approach to winemaking. His background as a chef informs his appreciation for wines that pair well with rich, flavorful cuisine, enhancing the dining experience.