Rawino vinery – Rafael Ravnik

A small family-owned estate from Nova Vas, near Poreč, in Istria - Croatia. Following the call of nature and family roots, in 2018 Rafael Ravnik said goodbye to city life and his career in economics. A long-time aficionado of natural wines, Rafael immediately began 100% organic wine production (entered certification in April 2019 and received the first certificate in 2022). Production is less than 3000 bottles annually from one vineyard approximately 1 hectare in size. Another new certified organic vineyard was planted in 2026, size is about 0.5 hectare.

The vinery was launched in 2018 and the first vineyard was planted. First harvest of the vinery was 2021, the current releases are 2022 and 2023. The soil is red terrarossa clay with a significant amount of rocks. The vineyard is approximately 5 km away from the Adriatic Sea and around 100 km from the Alps. The climate is Mediterranean with some influence of cold winds from the north.

Organic production and natural wine making from the very beginning of the vinery. The winery uses natural material whenever possible and minimizes the use of mechanization in the vineyard and cellar. We believe in touching every vine with our hands every week during the vegetation period.  Rawino grows mostly indigenous grape varieties from the north Adriatic such as Teran, Refosco and Malvasia istarska, together with a bit of Merlot. Currently two labels are produced: Malvasia (white) and Luna (red cuvee) and soon a third label will be released (Divja Malvasia).

We are using clay/ceramic bottles for all our wines as we are closing the cycle from red clay soil, over clay amphoras/qvevries to clay bottles. Moreover, these bottles add an additional layer of protection as no light can affect the wine which should make it more suitable for ageing. Also the temperature oscillations are smoothed out in ceramic bottles compared to glass bottles.

The labels are hand printed in the vinery via screen printing techniques. The bottles depict the grass and weeds growing around clay amphoras and in the vineyard.

The name Rawino is a combination of Raw wines and our surname Ravnik. The wines are therefore raw and naturally rich and pour without any additions and beautifiers.

Rawino Malvazija 2022

White/orange wine from 100% Malvazija istarska (Malvasia Istriana). Hand harvested during mid-September, selection of grapes in the vineyard. Natural fermentation without selected yeasts nor enzymes starts in Georgian qvevries (Clay amphoras) buried underground in front of the cellar. The grapes are destemmed directly above the qvevries without any pumping. The fermentation is not cooled (no temperature control). Mixing (punch downs) of the grapes and must every 2-3 hours during fermentation. Maceration lasts until spring (6-8 months) in qvevries and exposed to the soon, moon and all natural forces, not covered except a stone or glass lid. The wine is gently pressed in a basketpress and transferred into 500 liter oak barrels and egg-shaped Italian amphoras where the ageing lasts for 1 additional year at least. Bottling is done using gravity only after adding small doses of sulfur dioxide without fining and filtering. Bottle ageing for at least 6 months before market release.

No sulfur is added during fermentation, only at later stages small amounts of sulfur are added.

Rawino Luna Cuvée 2022

Red cuvée from Refosco and Teran and a smaller amount of Merlot (in 2021 only Teran and Refosco). Hand harvested during late September, selection of grapes in the vineyard. Natural fermentation without selected yeasts nor enzymes starts in Georgian qvevries (Clay amphoras) buried underground in front of the cellar. The grapes are de-steamed directly above the qvevry without any pumping. No temperature control. Mixing of the grapes and must every 2-3 hours during fermentation. Maceration for about 4 weeks in qvevry and exposed to the soon, moon and all natural forces. The wine is gently pressed in a basket press and transferred into 228 liter oak barrels where the ageing lasts for 2 additional years at least. Bottling is done using gravity only without fining and filtering. Bottle ageing for 6 months before market release.

Rawino Luna 2022 vintage is without added sulfur.