Marko is the most thoughtful and grounded winemaker we have ever met during our wine adventures. When you are talking to him, time seems to stand still. In Marko's vision, everything is connected: man, nature, grape and animals. Marko does not work his vineyards, he lives in them.
Philosophical winemaking
To put it in Marko Fon’s words: a vineyard is not meant to make money, but to create emotions. After years of tending to his vineyards, he feels that he is part of them. Just like the animals that live there and the plants that grow there. Year after year, he tries to make even better wine. According to him, this can only be done by becoming a better person himself. And it is precisely through making wine that he becomes a better person. And so the circle is complete.
Vineyards & region
The micro-domain (3.5Ha) of Marko Fon is located in the heart of the Karst or Kras region. This Mediterranean region in Slovenia is special in Slovenia in terms of both soil and climate. The soil is a limestone plateau, with a top layer of terrarossa, red earth. This special composition ensures a mineral tension in the wines. In terms of climate, it is a fairly temperate zone, despite its southern location. This means that grapes can be harvested late, without becoming overripe. Wines from the Karst therefore have a modest alcohol content.
All vineyards are worked by Marko himself, by hand. Completely according to biodynamic principles. The winemaking itself is done as naturally as possible, without additives.
Grapes
Marko grows three grape varieties. Of course, the three varieties that are typical of the Karst and that produce particularly fine results. In white, he grows Malvasija & Vitovska. His Malvasija is characterized by an unseen freshness and tension for the grape; which in warmer regions and in the hands of a less gifted winemaker tends towards overripeness. His Vitovska is for us the benchmark as far as the grape is concerned. Precise, elegant & complex; but also very juicy and drinkable. In red, he grows Teran in very small quantities.