Jure Poberaj of Poberaj Wines
Photos by Kelly Turso
Jure Poberaj came to the United States when he was 6 years old. He was born in Slovenia not far from the Northeastern border of Italy. His family moved to Washington D C where he lived until pursuing a finance degree at Portland State University. The beauty and outdoor sports of the Columbia Gorge caused him to make the West Coast home, first in Hood River, OR and then in White Salmon, WA. He was a cook at Celilo Restaurant until he and his partner Nina opened a bakery in White Salmon. After several years making bread for the bakery, Jure decided the winemaking lifestyle was more to his liking. He went to Northeastern Italy to spend time with his pioneering winemaker uncle, Josko Gravner. After returning from Italy and completing a winemaking certificate from Cornell University, Jure launched his Poberaj Wines label in 2020.
What Jure learned from his uncle was a winemaking style that predates written history. In ancient times in the country of Georgia, people made wine in clay vessels known as qvevri that were buried in the ground. Jure imported 9 such vessels and they are buried on his 10 acre property a few miles north of White Salmon, WA. He ferments and ages white, red, rosé, and orange wines in the qvevri. Jure is partial to Italian grape varieties, and is growing Friulano, Nebiollo, and Ribolla Gialla in his small vineyard. He also makes a very nice Mencia that he sources from the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge. In summer 2026, Poberaj Wines will open to the public with a tasting room in a yurt. Jure and Nina saved the bricks from their bread oven at the bakery and will be building a pizza oven with them. Don’t miss this very unique winery on your next visit to the Columbia River Gorge.
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