Where to taste Cabernet Franc in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.

Cabernet Franc estates in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Ronco dei Tassi ★ 4.6

DOC CollioFriulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Merlot, Cabernet Franc19 haFounded 1989Coser family (Fabio Coser with sons Matteo and Andrea Coser)cormons

Fabio Coser founded the cellar in 1989 on the Bosco del Merlo parcel above Cormons, and now runs it with sons Matteo and Andrea. The 19 hectares on Collio ponca around the Monte locality feed the Fosarin Bianco (Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Malvasia) as the cellar's signature blend and the Cjarandon (Sauvignon, Friulano, Chardonnay) as a second whole-Collio expression.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Monte by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Bosco del Merlo parcels and a flight of the Fosarin Bianco, Cjarandon Bianco and Bosc dal Sef Rosso. Farmhouse rooms on-site for overnight stays.

Signature wines: ronco-dei-tassi-fosarin, ronco-dei-tassi-cjarandon, ronco-dei-tassi-bosc-dal-sef

Tip: The farmhouse rooms double as a Cormons base; book the Fosarin vertical with a half-day of Collio cellar visits.

Bastianich ★ 4.7

DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliFriulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Picolit35 haFounded 1997Bastianich family (Joseph Bastianich)cividale-del-friuli

Founded in 1997 by Joseph Bastianich (the restaurateur and Lidia Bastianich's son) on Felluga-family advice, the Colli Orientali cellar at Cividale del Friuli farms 35 hectares between Cividale and Buttrio.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Cividale del Friuli by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Buttrio and Cividale parcels and a flight of the Vespa Bianco, Plus Friulano, Calabrone Rosso and Refosco. On-site farmhouse rooms and restaurant.

Signature wines: bastianich-vespa-bianco, bastianich-plus-friulano, bastianich-calabrone, bastianich-refosco

Tip: Book the on-site restaurant for a tasting menu paired with the cellar's range; the Vespa Bianco lands particularly well with the Friulian gnocchi de susini.

Bressan Mastri Vinai ★ 4.5

DOC Friuli Isonzo / Venezia Giulia IGTPinot Grigio, Friulano, Schioppettino, Pignolo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Merlot, Cabernet Franc20 haFounded 1726Bressan family (Fulvio Bressan)Winemaker Fulvio BressanBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDmariano-del-friuli

Bressan Mastri Vinai is one of Friuli's oldest continuous wine families, with documented activity at Farra d'Isonzo since 1726. Fulvio Bressan runs the cellar in its modern form.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Farra d'Isonzo by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Bressan parcels (a Friuli holding documented since 1726) and a flight of the Pinot Grigio, Schioppettino, Pignolo and Verduzzo. Reservation required.

Signature wines: bressan-pinot-grigio, bressan-schioppettino, bressan-pignolo, bressan-verduzzo

Tip: The Pignolo is the cellar's library red and one of Friuli's revival varietals; ask for a back-vintage tasting alongside the Schioppettino.

Cabernet Franc in other regions →

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