My encounter between the jars with Josko Gravner

You know those summer afternoons, when the heat causes us to idleness making us lose the lightness of chatter ...?  Well, just so happened that my cousin told me Hilary: "Been Josko Gravner the vintner who makes wine in amphorae ?". Well, I jumped up and said: "In the jars ...?!”.  I am not able to give many explanations, and then, piqued by curiosity, I started right away with my research. I began to read him fascinated, and decided that I should know…

I watched some videos in which he told Josko his philosophy of the earth ...  poetry to my ears! Call me too romantic, but the feeling that I was listening for balance and wisdom.

And 'that is rooted in the land the answer to my research, this is my therapy, this will be my rebirth,  why is the love for it that I find the deeper meanings.

I sent an email to Josko Gravner to arrange a meeting. From his response I realized that the moment was not propitious. It was time to harvest, and the needs of the vineyard absorbed. A little disappointed I resigned myself to postpone the meeting, but from person stubborn which are not demorsi. Soon the time came!

The morning of departure loaded the luggage,  I pointed in the direction of the navigator Oslavia.  I was particularly excited;  while I was driving along the road I thought about how the meeting would be held. Then, I thought to myself that the only way to establish sincere relationships with people is to be yourself, and so did.

Finally arrived at the destination I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of the house of Josko.

It was his smile to greet me, pleasant family atmosphere and that put me at my ease. Those who know me well also experienced my shyness that I try to hide chatting.

That afternoon with us was the sweet wife Mary Josko, and Sabrina and Debora, two of their friends in Viareggio. We started our guided tour and a tasting between each other and the stories about his life.  He told us how he started his adventure grower, making frequent references to the loss of his father when he was just twenty-five years. I knew well what I was saying, having had the same experience at the same age. The teachings of the fathers, however, accompany us throughout life, like an echo that continues to spread in the head.

Josko told us of his trip to Georgia, the search for a wine without chemistry that follows the cycle of nature: a simple and clean wine as in times past. From Georgia he brought their bottles and finally abandoned the use of steel. He told:  "The wine in amphorae lives, while in the steel not breathe ... The amphora is like a womb in which the wine is then matured in large barrels, that unlike the small not affect too much ... "

He told us his son Miha died prematurely, and the willingness of the latter to move towards Ribolla, will that faithfully respects Josko. Ci parlò di Aljosa, his trusty assistant and now an integral part of the family. How much passion and love put these in conducting the work in the vineyard and in the cellar. The time passed very quickly with my questions that often surprised by the naivety that probably was not used. Because I want to understand ... because this is my search.

In our ramble, Bruno the dog Josko, we kept him company following us from room to room. Suddenly he was attracted by something, and struck with a sudden spring Sabrina, having in his hands a cup of Ribolla I poured it completely on. They were all visibly embarrassed at the sight of my shirt and my jacket wet skin. They were moments so excited that I immediately wanted to play down saying: “But we think, I will have the honor of having the jacket to Gravner!". Believe me ... after a very short time the spots are dried to perfection without leaving any halo that wine ..., it was just clean!

In our tour of tastings degustai all vintages. I was a bit 'hesitant because I'm used to drinking very little because of a headache due to excess use of sulfur dioxide in wine. That day nothing happened,  my head was perfectly lucid. I said shocked: “At this point it is natural to ask ... but what we are accustomed to drinking wines?! But how much chemical is introduced?!”.

They spent three hours without my realizing it; it was time to say goodbye, except that Mary insisted that I stay for dinner. Sitting side by Josko chatted throughout the evening going from one topic to another. I will never forget the emotions of the day. I desired to tell them relive every time I reread.

I recently read Josko define "a hermit". I could not help but smile, Perche Josko, is simply a winemaker in the land of Oslavia, friendly and jovial, who welcomed me as if I were a family member. Italian winegrower known worldwide for his research and for its simplicity,  a great man who I got to know and appreciate, who advised me, and I will never forget!

"In many mock me for my being, ma cosa volete sono vecchio per cambiare e alla fine sono felice di essere cosi. Non avrò denari da lasciare ma una Terra sana dove il sudore di mio padre Jozef e mio zio Franc non è stato versato invano. And 'these two men that I thought in these years of great changes, and goes to them my first and last thought of my day. And finally, I guess the proud and smiling. "Josko Gravner

 

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