EN IT DE FR

The Cellar of Great Wines
of Friendship and Peace

Discover the historic treasure: the Cellar of Great Wines of Friendship and Peace
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
WINE TASTINGS

Where history meets exclusivity

In the heart of the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica perched on a picturesque hill above Nova Gorica,
The Cellar of Great Wines
of Friendship and Peace can be found – a place where centuries of tradition intertwine with refined flavors. Built in the 17th century and renovated in 2025, it combines historic charm with contemporary elegance.

Beneath the ancient stone vaults, where the legacy of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa permeates, you can taste wines crafted according to the standards of the world’s first CRU classification from 1787. This classification, discovered in the archives of the Counts Formentini and Attems, laid the foundations of European winemaking nearly a century before Burgundy. The wines-originating from the vineyards of Collio, Colli Orientali, Goriška Brda, Lower Soča Valley, Vipava Valley, Aquileia, and Karst -are the fruit of the passion of the Association of the Cru Classification of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa,uniting eminent winemakers from Slovenia and Italy in the spirit of friendship and peace.

Every sip in our cellar is a journey–from the mineral-rich marl that shapes exceptional flavors to the cross-border story that unites two lands. Join us and discover why this cellar is the heart of the region’s winemaking heritage.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE

Why visit our cellar?

Because every glass tells a story.

The Wine Cellar of Great Wines of Friendship and Peace is more than just a place for wine tasting–it is where history, culture, and refined flavors come together in an unforgettable experience. 

BUY WINES

In the cellar, you can purchase selected wines from 24 of the most eminent winemakers of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa’s CRU classification, carrying the mark of tradition and prestige–the perfect souvenir of your visit or a gift for wine lovers. 

GUIDED
TASTINGS

Choose between tastings of four samples–an introduction to the wines of the Lower Soča Valley –or an exclusive selection of six samples that reveal the richness and elegance of the finest vineyard sites and winemakers of Collio, Colli Orientali, Goriška Brda, Vipava Valley, Aquileia, and Karst. The wines are paired with selected prosciutto, cheese, or carefully prepared dishes that highlight the flavors of the region. 

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

Host a business meeting, a family celebration, or an intimate dinner in the enchanting ambiance of our cellar. Our team will ensure that your event is truly unforgettable. 

HISTORICAL CONNECTION

Discover the story of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa’s CRU classification and explore the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica, with its Baroque frescoes, the Bourbon tomb, and the Škrabec Library, home to the first Slovenian grammar by Adam Bohorič, published in 1584.  

BUY WINES

In the cellar, you can purchase selected wines from 24 of the most eminent winemakers of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa’s CRU classification, carrying the mark of tradition and prestige–the perfect souvenir of your visit or a gift for wine lovers. 

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

Host a business meeting, a family celebration, or an intimate dinner in the enchanting ambiance of our cellar. Our team will ensure that your event is truly unforgettable. 

GUIDED
TASTINGS

Choose between tastings of four samples–an introduction to the wines of the Lower Soča Valley –or an exclusive selection of six samples that reveal the richness and elegance of the finest vineyard sites and winemakers of Collio, Colli Orientali, Goriška Brda, Vipava Valley, Aquileia, and Karst. The wines are paired with selected prosciutto, cheese, or carefully prepared dishes that highlight the flavors of the region.  

HISTORICAL CONNECTION

Discover the story of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa’s CRU classification and explore the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica, with its Baroque frescoes, the Bourbon tomb, and the Škrabec Library, home to the first Slovenian grammar by Adam Bohorič, published in 1584.  
Every visit to the cellar is an opportunity to immerse yourself in history, taste exceptional wines, and experience the warmth of cross-border friendship. 
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE

Join the Charity Auction:
Wines that Change the World

Each year, the Wine Cellar of Friendship and Peace comes alive with the region’s most prestigious event: the charity auction featuring the winemakers of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa’s CRU classification.
In October 2025, the fourth auction will take place, with winemakers from the cross-border Gorizia wine territory contributing an oak barrel (300 bottles) of wine, crafted from their finest vineyard and carefully selected by a special committee. Each bottle tells a story of tradition, quality, and cross-border collaboration. 
The funds raised have already made possible the restoration of the Baroque frescoes in the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica and the renovation of its cellar, now the heart of the cross-border Gorizia wine region. The auction attracts wine lovers from all over the world – from Europe to America and the growing Asian markets. It is an opportunity to taste exclusive wines and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage. 
 DISCOVER THE FRANCISCAN MONASTERY OF KOSTANJEVICA 
Join us at the auction or visit the cellar and monastery, where you can taste these unique wines and explore the history that once inspired Empress-Queen Maria Theresa herself. Become part of a story that celebrates friendship, peace, and exceptional flavors.
JOIN THE AUCTION, CONTACT US
The exclusive Wine Cellar of Friendship and Peace, where history meets prestigious wines.
Wines CRU, Maria Theresia d. o.about.