{"id":133,"date":"2025-09-03T14:36:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/?page_id=133"},"modified":"2025-09-29T09:57:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T09:57:21","slug":"zapuscina-marije-terezije","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/zapuscina-marije-terezije\/","title":{"rendered":"Heritage of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nHeritage of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa:
The World\u2019s First CRU Classification\n<\/h1><\/div>\n<\/section>
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In 1787, guided by the vision of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa, ruler of the Habsburg dynasty, the world\u2019s first CRU vineyard classification was introduced, recognizing the exceptional wine-growing areas of Collio, Colli Orientali, Gori\u0161ka Brda, Lower So\u010da Valley, Vipava Valley, Aquileia, and Karst.<\/strong>

This historical document, discovered in the archives of the Counts Formentini and Attems by renowned historian Stefano Cosma, reveals a precise classification of vineyards into nine quality categories in the former County of Gorizia and Gradisca. These categories remain the foundation of the outstanding wines of this cross-border wine region to this day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Stefano Cosma<\/strong>, a distinguished historian, shed new light on this revolutionary classification through his research in the archives of the Counts Formentini.<\/strong>\u00a0Nearly a century before Burgundy, it established the standards for recognizing the finest vineyard sites. His discovery has inspired a new generation of winemakers to revive this heritage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Charles-Louis de No\u00fce<\/strong>, a member of the prestigious Burgundian wine family Domaine Leflaive,\u00a0and\u00a0Alis Marini\u010d,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong>, a descendant of a traditional winemaking family from Gori\u0161ka Brda, founded the Association of the Cru Classification of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa<\/strong><\/span>together with fellow winemakers. This association brings together winemakers from both sides of the border, who passionately craft wines worthy of an imperial heritage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>

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\nThe classification was based on a detailed analysis of the soil, microclimate, and vineyard sites, carefully studied by experts under the decree of Maria Theresa. The Tavolare system was applied, categorizing plots according to their quality.

A photograph of the archival document, preserved in the archives of the Counts Formentini and Attems, bears witness to the vision of the Empress, who recognized the potential of this cross-border region.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\nAt the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica, visitors can admire a replica of this document and immerse themselves in the history that shaped European winemaking. Join us on a guided tour to discover how Empress-Queen Maria Theresa laid the foundations for wines of worldwide renown. In the more than 350-year-old wine cellar, renovated and reopened in 2025, you will be able to enjoy tastings of wines from 24 of the finest winemakers of this cross-border wine region.\u00a0\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
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\nCollio, Colli Orientali, Gori\u0161ka Brda, Lower So\u010da Valley, Vipava Valley, Aquileia, and Karst: The Heart of Exceptional Wines\n<\/div>
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The document reveals a precise classification of vineyards that still define our region today.<\/span><\/p>

The cross-border region between Slovenia and Italy covers approximately\u00a0200 km\u00b2 of hills.<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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This mineral-rich soil gives the wines a refined minerality and a unique taste.\u00a0
Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool nights, creates ideal conditions for producing exceptional wines.
Vineyards, already classified into nine quality categories in the 18th century, continue to be cultivated today with the same passion and expertise. An archival map shows the precise boundaries of these vineyards, which, thanks to their exceptional wines, have become part of the world\u2019s wine map. The region unites Slovenian and Italian traditions, creating a unique wine culture that inspires wine lovers around the globe.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
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\nWinemakers of the CRU Classification of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa: United for Heritage\n<\/div>
\nThe most eminent winemakers of the cross-border Gorizia wine region have joined together in the Association of the Cru Classification of Empress-Queen Maria Theresa to preserve the legacy of the world\u2019s first CRU classification. This cross-border alliance symbolizes friendship and a shared passion for crafting the finest wines.\n<\/div>
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For the exclusive charity auction, taking place for the fourth time in October 2025, winemakers annualy contribute a 225-liter barrel of wine from their finest vineyard, classified as a CRU site. The funds raised support the restoration of the Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica<\/strong>, including the renovated frescoes and the wine cellar known as the \u201cCellar of Great Wines of Friendship and Peace,\u201d the restoration of the Coronini Cronberg Palace in Gorizia, and the promotion of the cross-border wine territory. Each wine, carefully selected by a special commission, tells the story of the tradition and quality of this distinguished wine-growing land.

The winning bidder receives 300 numbered Burgundy bottles, each bearing their signature on an exclusive commemorative label specially designed for this occasion, featuring the Contea emblem.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

\nJoin us at the auction or visit the monastery, where you can taste these unique wines and become part of a story that celebrates friendship, peace, and exceptional flavors.\n<\/div>
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Zapu\u0161\u010dina Marije Terezije: Prva CRU klasifikacija na svetu Leta 1787 se je v sklopu delovanja Marije Terezije, vizionarske habsbur\u0161ke vladarice, uvedlo prvo CRU klasifikacijo vinogradov na svetu, ki je prepoznala izjemno kakovost leg na podro\u010dju Gori\u0161kih Brd, Collia, Vhodnega Collia, So\u0161ke in Vipavske doline, Ogleja in Krasa.Ta zgodovinski dokument, odkrit v arhivih grofov Formentini in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-133","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133"}],"version-history":[{"count":75,"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":474,"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/133\/revisions\/474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/winescrumariatheresia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}