Ograde 2021 Skerk

Ograde 2021 – Skerk

A Karstic orange, deep and vibrant

Ograde 2021 is the flagship cuvée of Skerk, a wine that fully reflects the Karst terroir and its rugged beauty. The name, meaning “terraces” in the local dialect, refers to the steep vineyard plots overlooking the sea. Vines grow in limestone-rich soils, farmed naturally, without irrigation or chemicals.

The blend is a local mosaic: Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. Each grape is picked at peak ripeness, destemmed and fermented on the skins for around 10 days in open oak vats. Fermentation is spontaneous, no additives. The wine is aged in large barrels for 24 months on fine lees. No clarification, filtration or added sulfur.

The nose offers layers of black tea, candied citrus, herbs, wet stone. The palate is vibrant, salty, with a gentle grip and elegant tannins. A structured, energetic orange wine, deeply rooted in place.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Skerk

• Vintage: 2021

• Grapes: Vitovska, Malvasia, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio

• Appellation: Venezia Giulia IGT

• Region: Carso, Italy

• Soil: rocky limestone

• Vinification: ~10-day skin maceration, spontaneous fermentation in oak vats

• Aging: 24 months in large barrels

• Sulfur added: none

• Filtration: none

• Production: approx. 7,000 bottles

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Skerk – Carso’s rocky voice in a bottle

A vineyard rooted in stone

The Skerk winery, founded by Sandi Skerk, is located in Prepotto, Duino-Aurisina, in the heart of Italy’s Karst region near the Slovenian border. Shaped by limestone soils, sea winds and strong diurnal shifts, Skerk’s wines reflect a deep sense of place. The vineyard is dry-farmed, tended naturally, with minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar.

Philosophy: vineyard and cellar

Skerk grows indigenous grapes like Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Terrano, alongside Refosco and Sauvignon. Yields are kept low and harvest is done by hand. In the cellar, long skin macerations and spontaneous fermentations occur in open oak vats. No additives or filtration. Wines are aged in large old barrels in a natural stone cellar. The result is wines with depth, salinity and character.

A distinct signature

Skerk is a leading figure in Italy’s skin-contact white movement. His wines are structured yet graceful, complex but accessible, conveying the essence of the Karst. There’s no compromise in his style—only purity, time, and vision.