August 1, 2025 — Nestled in the heart of the Collio hills (Friuli Venezia Giulia) lies a place where a deep passion for wine harmoniously blends with the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Here, Gradis’ciutta winery – led by visionary entrepreneur Robert Princic – crafts exceptional wines that reflect the soul and spirit of this unique region.
Sustainability, tradition, and innovation form the foundation of this renowned estate, located in Giasbana, in San Floriano del Collio (Gorizia). Spread across approximately 50 hectares of breathtaking hillside vineyards, Gradis’ciutta flourishes under the direction of Robert Princic. Building on a legacy first shaped by his grandfather and then his father, Robert has invested his expertise, energy, and passion into this land, intertwining the story of his family with that of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Born and raised among the vineyards of Collio, Robert inherited a deep love for the land from a family rooted in agricultural tradition. From an early age, he learned the craft of viticulture and the importance of caring for the environment—values that would shape his vision and lead him, in 2018, to convert all vineyards to organic farming. His goal has always been clear: to produce wines of the highest quality that respect the people who work at Gradis’ciutta, protect the environment, and preserve the area’s winemaking heritage. This cultural and familial inheritance has made Robert a true guardian of the Collio terroir.
For the past 25 years, Robert has pursued this vision with unwavering dedication—guided by a philosophy of continual growth and refinement. Key milestones have defined the evolution of the winery: from investments in cellar technology and vineyard management, to the full conversion to organic practices, and ultimately, the acquisition and restoration of Borgo Gradis’ciutta.
One of the most significant achievements in the company’s recent history, the transformation of Borgo Gradis’ciutta—an elegant 16th-century structure—reflects Robert’s ambition to merge heritage with hospitality. Once owned by his grandfather, the historic vineyard estate now welcomes wine lovers into a refined retreat surrounded by the same hills that have shaped generations of winemaking. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of authentic experiences, from wine tastings to culinary delights, Vespa or bike tours, and outdoor adventures—all set against the stunning natural and gastronomic backdrop of the Collio region.
About Gradis’ciutta
Founded in 1997 by Robert Princic in the heart of Collio, the Gradis’ciutta company now extends over 50 hectares of vineyards located both on the Italian side of Collio and in Slovenia. This dual territorial soul allows the richness and complexity of a unique wine-growing area to be best expressed through the production of highly identifiable varieties such as Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia, Friulano and Pinot Grigio. The collaboration between the two sides of the border has given rise to a shared vision and a production that acts as a spokesperson for a cross-border identity, where wines become a symbol of connection between cultures, true bridges that unite rather than borders that separate.
At the heart of it all, sustainability is one of the company’s core values: Robert Princic has chosen to adopt environmentally conscious, organic winegrowing, based on respect for nature, people and the land, with the aim of creating authentic, sophisticated wines deeply rooted in their origins.
