Grape-growing and winemaking have long been the economic mainstay of generations of families in Istria. Traditionally passed down from father to son, vineyards were cultivated and worked by hand, often with little or no mechanisation, well into the mid-twentieth century. Established in 1850, Franc Arman Vineyards and Winery, headed today by Franc and Oliver Arman, continues the family tradition and core values set out by founding father Edoardo, while taking the art and science of winemaking to new levels.

Winery excellence, innovation and the production of award-winning, distinctive wines is brought to fruition in the family’s new state-of- the-art wine cellar. Here, five metres underground, in stainless steel fermenting tanks and oak barrels, the iconic Istrian varietals are crafted and matured.