Franco Terpin

Franco Terpin grew up in a Slavic farming family in San Floriano del Collio, the fifth of six children. The family sold grapes to other wineries before starting to bottle its own wine in 1994.

Around 2000, despite winning awards, Franco began questioning wines made to a familiar formula. He moved toward spontaneous fermentation, skin contact for white grapes and less intervention.

His vineyards sit on the Italian-Slovenian border, on the marl and sandstone soils known locally as ponka. His wife Daniela and daughters Sara and Valentina have also joined the winery.

For Franco, farming starts with bringing life back to the soil, rather than simply growing more grapes. That change in outlook sits behind the wines he makes today.