“Farm life knows no schedule. The farm is life.”

Kristjan Božič runs the family farm in Jagodje, where together with his parents and his own family he takes care of vineyards, olive groves, and the production of homemade products. Their wines, olive oil, jams, and spreads are the result of hard work, perseverance, and respect for the land. Kristjan does not look for shortcuts in his work but relies on experience, follows tradition, and uses common sense.

A story that begins with a simple “I’m going to work”

Kristjan Božič is the kind of man who says little but does a lot. When he took over the farm in Jagodje from his father years ago, there were no long talks or plans. Only one decision was made: »Now I’m going to work.« Since then, he has been running the vineyard and olive-growing story, which is not based on big numbers but on perseverance, respect for the land, and care for homegrown produce.

The Božič family has lived on this land for more than a century. His great-grandfather came from Buzet, and in the valley below Jagodje the farm grew, today specializing in wine, olive oil, and homemade products. Kristjan does not worry about trends – he does what he knows and what he believes in: »If you do good work, buyers will come. If not this year, then next.«

When work becomes a way of life

He was not formally educated for this job; he learned everything through practice. »I studied at the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana and completed several professional courses. Still, I prefer working by feeling, by logic. And because I grew up here.« Wine makes him happy, but he admits he is more of an olive-growing type: »The olive tree is a woman. If you give, she gives back. But if you neglect her, she punishes you.« Interestingly, at home they only drink wine during celebrations and family gatherings.

His wines – Malvasia, Refosco, rosé (from Refosco), and Cabernet Sauvignon – are made without big philosophies: cleanliness, order, and healthy grapes matter most. They do everything themselves: from pruning the vines to bottling.

A shop that connects people and taste

A special feature of their story is the family shop in the center of Izola, where they sell wine, oil, spreads, jams, and seasonal products. The idea came from his wife after visiting Montepulciano in Tuscany, where she admired similar shops. They first started on Postojnska Street, and now you can find them right in the city center – just a stone’s throw from the market on Ljubljanska Street.

»There aren’t many such shops. People come who look for local products. And also tourists who return every year. They like to say they feel at home here,« Kristjan says. For him, the shop is important mainly because it creates connections. When you know who comes, what they buy, and what matters to them.

Local, seasonal, sincere

Božič products are recognized for their simplicity and authenticity. Besides wine and oil, they sell pickled olives, spreads, jams, homemade liqueurs – all in small batches. What is not used goes into processing. They are multiple award winners for innovation. »In our shop, we have wine, oil, and pickled olives prepared in different ways. From grapes and olives, we also make other things: spreads, jams – fig, grape, pumpkin... We even have olive jam, which surprises everyone who usually doesn’t like olives,« Kristjan explains.

Although their farm is on the outskirts of town, Kristjan says Izola is part of them: "This is our home, this is where we sell, this is where people come for wine. And when you have a shop in the center, you are part of the town. You don’t need big billboards – the important thing is to be present."

Family as a team

Although Kristjan has his hands full of work, he is never alone. Besides his parents, brother, and wife, their children are also part of the story – twins aged 10 and a younger son aged 9. Kristjan says with a smile: »The little ones are always there, they do whatever you ask. Even if it’s just carrying empty crates. The third one will probably be the biggest farmer of them all.«

At harvest time, the whole family is always present – not just to help, but as part of the team. Just like in the old days. There is plenty of work on the farm, especially because they do everything themselves. But they don’t complain: »This is a farm. There’s no schedule. Sometimes it lasts until late at night. But if you enjoy it, you keep going.« And we can conclude that everything that comes from the Božič farm has one common denominator: sincerity.

The Origini of Izola’s Tastes – the stories of those who, in every sip, preserve the connection with the land, the family, and the place.