History
Foundation
1953
Stone Castle Winery was originally founded as “NBI Rahoveci,” a large, state-run winery built by the Yugoslav government to boost wine production in the Rahovec Valley region
The step forward
1974
Rrustem Gecaj, an Albanian from Kosovo, fled communist Yugoslavia for a better life abroad. He first moved to Italy, then later to Canada, seeking freedom and new opportunities
US ROOTS
1976
After receiving a U.S. visa, Gecaj settled in New York City and began working in restaurants. Within months, he became a chef and worked passionately in the culinary world for three years. After this he joined the world of real estate investment
New owner
2006
In 2006, the Gecaj family acquired the former NBI Rahoveci winery and renamed it Stone Castle. The estate uses only estate-grown grapes from Kosovo’s renowned Rahovec Valley
Awards
2018-2020
Stone Castle wins multiple international awards including medals from the Ultimate Wine Challenge, Catavinum World Wine & Spirits, and the New York International Wine Competition — establishing global recognition. in 2020 Stone Castle earnsDouble Gold and 95 Points at the New York International Wine Competition, marking one of its highest-scoring years.
