This historic classification, uncovered by historian Stefano Cosma,recognized the exceptional quality of the vineyards of Collio, Colli Orientali, Goriška Brda, Lower Soča Valley, Vipava Valley, Aquileia, and Karst—almost a century before Burgundy. Today, the wines produced on these sites are the pride of the Association of the Cru Classification of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa, bringing together the most eminent winemakers from Slovenia and Italy in a shared vision of friendship, peace, and excellence.
Our wines are born from mineral-rich marlstone, a mild Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights, and centuries of winemaking tradition. Chardonnay, Rebula, Friulano-Jakot, Malvasia, Pinot Noir, Refosco, and Merlot are just some of the varieties that enchant with their elegance, minerality, complexity, and unique character. Each wine tells a story of cross-border collaboration, where the finest Slovenian and Italian winemakers unite their knowledge and passion to craft masterpieces worthy of an imperial heritage.
Each of these wines is crafted with love and respect for the land, first recognized as exceptional by Empress-Queen Maria Theresa.
Every October, the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica comes alive with the region’s most prestigious event – the charity auction of the wines of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa’s CRU Classification. From 23 to 25 October 2025 , it will be held for the fourth time. Selected winemakers contribute a 225-liter oak barrel (300 bottles) of wine from their finest vineyards, classified as CRU sites under Maria Theresa’s historic classification. These wines, approved by a special committee, are the fruit of centuries-old tradition and an exceptional terroir, where marlstone and the mild Mediterranean climate create unparalleled flavors.
Association of the CRU classification of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa is a cross-border initiative uniting winemakers from the Gorizia wine region, Goriška Brda, and Collio, preserving the legacy of the first CRU classification from 1787. United in the spirit of friendship and peace, the winemakers continue Maria Theresa’s tradition, producing exceptional wines that inspire the world. Each year, they organize an exclusive charity auction, offering a barrel (300 bottles) of their finest wines, with the proceeds supporting various charitable initiatives. Among the distinguished members of the association, who combine a passion for winemaking excellence with historical heritage, are:
These wines showcase diversity and elegance: white wines enchant with floral notes and minerality, while red wines offer depth and velvety smoothness. Limited series from exceptional vintages add collectible value that attracts connoisseurs worldwide.
Last year’s auction opened with a ceremonial welcome in the cellar, followed by a rich tasting of selected wines and an elegant gala dinner, where bonds were forged between winemakers and guests. It reached its peak the next day with the charity auction, conducted by the renowned Dorotheum Auction House—one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, whose 300-year tradition and reputation ensure the highest level of excellence.
The funds raised support the restoration of the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica, including the renovated frescoes and the wine cellar known as the “Cellar of Great Wines of Friendship and Peace,” the restoration of the Coronini Cronberg Palace in Gorizia, and the promotion of the cross-border wine territory.
Vabilo
Zavod CRU Marije Terezije
vas vljudno vabi
Na peto dobrodelno
Dražbo
Velikih vin CRU klasifikacije
vladarice Marije Terezije
v sodelovanju z avkcijsko hišo Dorotheum z Dunaja.
Petek, 23. oktober 2026
Palača Coronini Cronberg (Gorizia) · Frančiškanski samostan Kostanjevica (Nova Gorica) · vrtovi in Vinska klet prijateljstva in miru · Villa Russiz (Capriva del Friuli)
23. oktobra vstopimo v svet, kjer se zapuščina Marije Terezije sreča z vini prijateljstva in miru. En dan, tri mesta, dve deželi — povezujejo jih Velika vina CRU klasifikacije vladarice Marije Terezije iz leta 1787.
s pričetkom ob 10.30
Dan bomo začeli s panelno razpravo v Palači Coronini Cronberg, kjer je leta 1836 preživel zadnje dni francoski kralj Karl X. Burbonski. Prva Cru klasifikacija na svetu — 68 let pred Bordeauxom — bo znova spregovorila pred tistimi, ki jo danes živimo. Razpravo bo vodil dr. Aleš Musar, pridružili pa se mu bodo ugledni gostje iz Evrope.
Na vrtu Frančiškanskega samostana Kostanjevica bo priznani chef pripravil terezijanski pogrinjek, ki bo Velika vina spremljal, ne da bi jih preglasil.
Sledila bo slepa degustacija v 350 let stari Vinski kleti prijateljstva in miru. Govorila bosta le lega in letnik. Pred nami bodo sodi velikih vrhunskih vin — vsak sod za tristo steklenic.
V kleti se bo oglasilo kladivo ene najstarejših dražbenih hiš v Evropi — Dorotheum. Najprej bodo šli v dražbo sodi, nato omejene serije po dvanajst steklenic — z imenom kupca in pečatom zgodovinske lege.
Po dražbi se v Palači Coronini Cronberg udeležimo otvoritve razstave Stoletje družine Ritter de Záhony. Zgodba družine, ki je pomembno zaznamovala razvoj Goriške, sega tudi v vinograde: Giulio Ettore Ritter de Záhony in njegov zet, grof Theodor de la Tour, sta na to območje vpeljala francoske sorte vinske trte.
Večer se bo zaključil v Villi Russiz ob vrhunski hrani chefa Alessia Tagliaferri, kjer bomo uživali v izbranih vinih in dobri glasbi. Večer, ki bo morda sam povabil na ples.
RSVP do vključno 15. oktobra na auction@winescrumariatheresia.com
* Dobrodelni prispevek za udeležbo v celodnevnem programu: 150,00 € na osebo. Prispevek se ne obračuna v primeru nakupa in plačila soda na dobrodelni dražbi.
/ Dress code: Elegant attire /
Invito
Istituto dei Cru di Maria Teresa
ha il piacere di invitarLa
Al quinto capitolo
Dell'asta
di beneficenza dei grandi vini della
classificazione Cru dell’imperatrice Maria Teresa
in collaborazione con la casa d’aste Dorotheum di Vienna.
Venerdì 23 ottobre 2026
Palazzo Coronini Cronberg (Gorizia) · Monastero Francescano di Castagnevizza (Nova Gorica) · Giardini e Cantina dell’Amicizia e della Pace · Villa Russiz (Capriva del Friuli)
Il 23 ottobre entreremo in un mondo in cui l’eredità di Maria Teresa incontra i vini dell’amicizia e della pace. Un giorno, tre città/luoghi, due Paesi — uniti dai Grandi Vini della classificazione Cru dell’imperatrice Maria Teresa del 1787.
con inizio alle 10:30
La giornata inizierà con una tavola rotonda a Palazzo Coronini Cronberg, dove l'ultimo re francese della dinastia dei Borbone trascorse gli ultimi giorni della sua vita. La prima classificazione Cru al mondo — 68 anni prima di Bordeaux — emergerà davanti a coloro che oggi ne custodiscono e ne valorizzano l’eredità. La tavola rotonda sarà moderata dal dott. Aleš Musar, con la partecipazione di illustri ospiti provenienti da tutta Europa.
Nel giardino del convento Francescano di Castagnevizza, un rinomato chef preparerà un banchetto in stile teresiano, pensato per accompagnare i Grandi Vini senza sovrastarli.
Seguirà una degustazione alla cieca nella Cantina dell’Amicizia e della Pace, risalente a 350 anni fa. A parlare saranno soltanto il Cru e l’annata. Davanti a noi ci saranno le botti di vini pregiati — ogni botte destinata a trecento bottiglie.
Nella cantina, il martello di Dorotheum, una delle più antiche case d’aste d’Europa, è pronto ad aggiudicare lotti di vini di assoluto livello. Per primi saranno messi all’asta i vini in botte, seguiti da serie limitate di dodici bottiglie, ciascuna con il nome dell’acquirente e il sigillo della storica parcella.
Dopo l'asta, ci recheremo a Palazzo Coronini Cronberg, dove l'ultimo re francese della dinastia dei Borbone trascorse gli ultimi giorni della sua vita. Verrà inaugurata la mostra intitolata Il secolo dei Ritter, che racconta la storia della famiglia Ritter de Zàhony artefice della modernizzazione della zona di Gorizia; una storia che possiamo collegare all'arrivo dei primi vitigni dalla Francia nel nostro territorio.
La serata si concluderà a Villa Russiz con una eccellente cucina dello chef di alto livello Alessio Tagliaferri, degusteremo vini selezionati accompagnati da buona musica. Una serata che forse inviterà da sé a ballare.
RSVP fino all'15 ottobre a auction@winescrumariatheresia.com
/ Contributo di beneficenza per la partecipazione al programma dell’intera giornata: 150,00 € a persona. Il contributo non è richiesto in caso di acquisto e pagamento di una botte durante l’asta di beneficenza.
/ Dress code: Elegant attire /
Invitation
Institute CRU Maria Theresia
has the pleasure to invite you
To the fifth charity
Auction
of the Great Wines of the CRU Classification
of Empress Maria Theresia
in collaboration with Dorotheum Auction House from Vienna.
Friday, 23 October 2026
Palazzo Coronini Cronberg (Gorizia) · Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica (Nova Gorica) · Gardens and the Cellar of Friendship and Peace · Villa Russiz (Capriva del Friuli)
On 23 October, we will enter a world where the legacy of Maria Theresa meets the wines of friendship and peace. One day, three cities, two countries — united by the Great Wines of Empress Maria Theresa’s CRU Classification of 1787.
starting at 10:30
The day will begin with a panel discussion at Palazzo Coronini Cronberg, where the last French king of the Bourbon dynasty, Charles X, spent his final days in 1836. The world’s first CRU Classification — 68 years before Bordeaux — will once again come to life before those who preserve and celebrate its legacy today. The discussion will be moderated by Dr Aleš Musar, joined by distinguished guests from across Europe.
In the garden of the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica, a renowned chef will prepare a Maria Theresia-inspired banquet, created to accompany the Great Wines without overpowering them.
A blind tasting will follow in the 350-year-old Cellar of Friendship and Peace. Only the vineyard site and vintage will speak. Before us will stand barrels of exceptional wines — each barrel destined for three hundred bottles.
In the cellar, the hammer of Dorotheum, one of Europe’s oldest auction houses, will fall. The barrels will be auctioned first, followed by limited series of twelve bottles — each bearing the buyer’s name and the seal of the historic vineyard site.
After the auction, we will attend the opening of the exhibition A Century of the Ritter Family at Palazzo Coronini Cronberg. The story of the family that played an important role in the development of Gorizia is also intertwined with wine: Giulio Ettore Ritter de Záhony and his son-in-law, Count Theodor de la Tour, introduced French grape varieties to this region.
The evening will conclude at Villa Russiz, where we will enjoy outstanding cuisine by chef Alessio Tagliaferri, selected wines and good music. An evening that may just invite us to dance.
RSVP until 15th October to auction@winescrumariatheresia.com
* Charitable contribution for participation in the full-day programme: €150.00 per person. The contribution is waived if a barrel is purchased and paid for at the charity auction.
/ Dress code: Elegant attire /
