Trade & Investment Agency

We are certified organic since 1993 and also a Natura 2000 Biodiversity Conservation Site, hosting 14 protected species within its planitial woodland, an ancient and delicate habitat dating back to 1200 that we have committed to preserve and support. Within the estate you will be in the company of birds of prey, green woodpeckers, herons, tritons, frogs, and the ”Bombina Variegata“, a striking yellow-bellied toad with some strange habits!
The estate is a peculiar viticultural treasure. There are 106 hectares of vineyards, 18 of which are historic, having over 50 years of age, with the oldest having been planted approximately 100 years ago. The first vineyard, 117 original vines which have been painstakingly restored, was planted using an ancient method called "Cassone Padovano". This training method was developed by Benedictine monks in the Middle Ages. Our vineyard is one of the few still existing in Italy and continues to produce grapes to this day. In order to preserve the genetic characteristics of this ancient and peculiar Tocai Friulano biotype, we have replanted it starting from the original shoots and canes. In addition to Tocai Friulano, we grow a number of other grapevines, concentrating on indigenous grape varieties such as Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Malvasia Istriana. In addition to indigenous grape varieties, we have several international varieties that are particularly suited to our terroir and microclimate, like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot.
Terroir. We are located in Lison di Portogruaro, between the Friuli Alps and the Adriatic coast, where the mountains are closest to the sea, ideal for natural daily breezes. The whole 185 hectares of the estate are in a single plot, lying between the Loncon and Lison rivers that protect it. The soil is of alluvial origin, calcareous and rich in organic substances and micro elements. It underlies a thick stratum of clay, that can exceed 53% in some places. Although the superficial clay is extremely difficult to work and gives very low yields, the efforts can be very rewarding as the soil can produces wines with an intense bouquet, marked concentration, smoothness and elegance of tannins. Having all the vineyards in a single plot and being committed to producing wines only with our grapes, allows us, like the best “recoltants”, to start pressing the grapes within a few minutes from harvest: avoiding hours under the sun that would require the company of abundant sulphites! Our wines enjoy a minimum of 11 months of refinement for the base line and 24/36 months for the reserves, with frequent bâtonnage by our two winemakers on the estate. We work with extremely low yields (generally we are at a third / half of the DOC allowance, between 30 and 70 quintals per hectare depending on the variety and lot); we always bring the product to the right ripeness, even at the risk of losing part of the harvest. Our viticultural and vinification approach allows us to work with close to zero residual sugars and maintaining well balanced soft components in our wine. In the cellar we use a lot of vitrified concrete, which combines perfect neutrality (unlike steel) with great thermal stability. For long refinements, we prefer low or medium toasted and large capacity oak vats (45 hl), to allow the wine to rest but without exceeding in contact with oxygen or in the development of too marked tertiary aromas. The winery and all its machinery have been entirely re-equipped using the latest top-quality equipment in the interests of reducing environmental impact and achieving the best quality. Over the years since we embarked on this major project, we are fortunate to have earned the trust of, and been assisted by some of the most distinguish experts in world viticulture.
Being family owned and run a team of people that have known each other for more than 30 years, we are completely free and independent in our choices and long-term strategies.