Sauvignon in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Gravner ★ 4.9

Family cellar at Oslavia run by Josko Gravner alongside daughters Mateja and Jana. Gravner shifted from temperature-controlled stainless steel to open-vat fermentations on the skins in 1997 after journeys to Georgia and buried his first qvevri amphorae in 2001. The 18 estate hectares on the ponca slopes above Oslavia are now Gravner's only fruit source, and every cuvée goes through extended skin contact, qvevri ageing and oak elevage before release. The cellar is the reference point for the modern orange-wine movement.

Tasting: Cellar visit by appointment at Lenzuolo Bianco with the qvevri amphora room walkthrough, the Ribolla and Bianco Breg flight from older vintages, and a vineyard tour through the Oslavia ponca parcels. Reservation required, English available.

Signature wines: gravner-ribolla, gravner-bianco-breg, gravner-rosso-breg, gravner-rujno

Tip: Ask the cellar staff about Josko's seven qvevri buried under the Lenzuolo Bianco cellar floor; the visit walks past them on the way to the tasting room.

Radikon ★ 4.9

Stanko Radikon began extended-skin-contact whites in 1995 at Oslavia, the year before Josko Gravner's parallel turn. His sons Sasa and Ivan have run the cellar since Stanko's 2016 death.

Tasting: Cellar visit by appointment at Tre Buchi with a vineyard walk through the Oslavia parcels, a walkthrough of the cellar's no-added-sulphur protocols and a flight of Ribolla, Oslavje and Jakot from current and back vintages. English available.

Signature wines: radikon-ribolla, radikon-oslavje, radikon-jakot, radikon-slatnik

Tip: Order any Radikon back-vintage from the cellar's calendar release list rather than the latest one; the family ships when it considers a wine ready, not on a default schedule.

La Castellada ★ 4.8

Bensa family cellar at Oslavia founded in 1985 by brothers Giorgio and Nicolò Bensa. Now run with the next generation Stefano and Matteo Bensa.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Oslavia by appointment with a vineyard walk on the ponca slopes shared with Gravner and Radikon, a flight of the Ribolla, Bianco della Castellada and Friulano in current and back vintages, and a tasting of the Rosso della Castellada when available.

Signature wines: la-castellada-ribolla, la-castellada-bianco-della-castellada, la-castellada-friulano, la-castellada-rosso-della-castellada

Tip: The Bianco della Castellada (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, Ribolla) is the cellar's whole-Oslavia statement; ask for a vertical flight if the family has older vintages open.

Schiopetto ★ 4.8

Founded in 1965 by Mario Schiopetto at the former Palazzo Arcivescovile of the Aquileia patriarchate at Capriva del Friuli. Schiopetto introduced temperature-controlled stainless-steel fermentations to Friuli in the late 1960s, establishing the modern technical baseline for clean, fruit-forward Pinot Grigio and Friulano. The estate, now under the Rotolo family, farms 30 hectares of Collio ponca and bottles around 250,000 bottles a year.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Capriva del Friuli by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Palazzo Arcivescovile parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Pinot Grigio and Mario Schiopetto memorial cuvée from current vintages.

Signature wines: schiopetto-friulano, schiopetto-pinot-grigio, schiopetto-mario-schiopetto, schiopetto-rivarossa

Tip: Ask for the Mario Schiopetto cuvée (a single-vineyard blend named for the founder) to taste the cellar's library style alongside the current entry-level Friulano.

Marco Felluga ★ 4.7

Founded in 1956 by Marco Felluga, the senior brother of Livio Felluga, the cellar built the Russiz Superiore property at Capriva del Friuli into one of the Collio's modern reference estates.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Gradisca d'Isonzo by appointment with a flight of the Molamatta Bianco, Mongris Pinot Grigio and Pradius Sauvignon Riserva from current vintages, plus a walk through the Russiz Collio parcels at the linked Russiz Superiore estate.

Signature wines: marco-felluga-molamatta, marco-felluga-mongris, marco-felluga-pradius

Tip: The Molamatta (Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla) is the cellar's whole-Collio statement; pair it with a board of San Daniele prosciutto and Montasio cheese at the estate restaurant.

Russiz Superiore ★ 4.8

Acquired by Marco Felluga in 1967 as the higher-elevation contiguous extension of the Marco Felluga estate at Capriva del Friuli. The 65 hectares climb the south-facing ponca slope behind the Russiz palace, with parcels between 100 and 200 metres feeding the Col Disôre and single-cru Riserva bottlings. Roberto Felluga leads the operation today.

Tasting: Estate visit at the Russiz hilltop by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Collio parcels and a flight of the Friulano Riserva, Sauvignon Riserva and the Col Disôre Bianco. The Tavernetta al Castello restaurant nearby pairs estate wines with regional plates.

Signature wines: russiz-superiore-col-disore, russiz-superiore-friulano-riserva, russiz-superiore-sauvignon-riserva

Tip: Col Disôre (Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla) is the cellar's Collio bianco icon; ask for a back vintage if the cellar has one open.

Livio Felluga ★ 4.9

Founded in 1956 by Livio Felluga at Brazzano (Cormons), and now run by Livio's four children Maurizio, Filippo, Elda and Andrea Felluga. The estate farms approximately 165 hectares across the Colli Orientali, the Rosazzo ridge and the Collio. Terre Alte, the DOCG Rosazzo blend of Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon, is the Friulian icon; the Picolit DOCG and the Sossó Refosco anchor the sweet and red ranges. The estate has been certified organic since the 2020s.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Brazzano by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Rosazzo and Brazzano parcels, a Terre Alte flight (the iconic DOCG Rosazzo blend) and a tasting of the Picolit DOCG when bottled. The Friuli wine resort on-site offers extended stays.

Signature wines: livio-felluga-terre-alte, livio-felluga-illivio, livio-felluga-friulano, livio-felluga-picolit, livio-felluga-sossó-refosco

Tip: The Friuli wine resort at the estate doubles as the visit base; book a vertical Terre Alte tasting paired with frico at the resort restaurant.

Borgo del Tiglio ★ 4.8

Nicola Manferrari took over the family cellar at Cormons in 1981 and rebuilt it into one of the Collio's most-cited reference estates for Friulano.

Tasting: Cellar visit at San Giorgio by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Cormons parcels and a flight of the Friulano, the Studio di Bianco (the cellar's whole-Collio statement) and back-vintage releases. Reservation required.

Signature wines: borgo-del-tiglio-friulano, borgo-del-tiglio-studio-di-bianco, borgo-del-tiglio-rosso-della-centa, borgo-del-tiglio-malvasia

Tip: The Studio di Bianco (Friulano, Sauvignon, Malvasia) is the cellar's anchor white; pair it with a slow-roasted pork shoulder from the Trattoria al Cacciatore at La Subida.

Venica & Venica ★ 4.8

Venica & Venica was founded in 1930 by Adamo Venica and built into the modern Collio reference for Sauvignon by his grandsons Gianni and Giorgio.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Cerò by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Ronco delle Cime and Ronco delle Mele parcels and a flight of the Ronco delle Mele Sauvignon, Tre Vignis Bianco and Refosco Bottaz. Farmhouse rooms on-site.

Signature wines: venica-e-venica-ronco-delle-mele, venica-e-venica-ronco-delle-cime, venica-e-venica-tre-vignis, venica-e-venica-bottaz

Tip: Ronco delle Mele Sauvignon is the cellar's calling card and the Collio's most-cited Sauvignon address; book the farmhouse rooms for an early-morning vineyard walk before the tasting.

Ronco del Gnemiz ★ 4.7

Ronco del Gnemiz farms 12 hectares on the Colli Orientali ridge around San Giovanni al Natisone and Manzano, on ponca soils. Serena Palazzolo took over the family cellar in the late 2000s with consulting from Christian Patat (formerly of Miani) and has pushed the cellar toward parcel-level bottlings of Friulano and Chardonnay aged in large oak. The wines are bottled in small batches and released late.

Tasting: Cellar visit by appointment at San Giovanni al Natisone with a vineyard walk through the Ronco del Gnemiz parcels and a flight of the single-parcel Chardonnay, Friulano and the cellar's Riservas.

Signature wines: ronco-del-gnemiz-friulano, ronco-del-gnemiz-chardonnay-il-roccolo, ronco-del-gnemiz-sauvignon

Tip: The single-parcel Chardonnay Il Roccolo is the cellar's library cuvée; ask for a back-vintage tasting alongside the Friulano.

Ronco dei Tassi ★ 4.6

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.

Doro Princic ★ 4.6

Founded in 1955 by Doro Princic, the Pradis cellar built its reputation on traditional reductive whites without oak or skin contact. Now run by Doro's son Sandro and grandson Alessandro Princic.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Pradis by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Cormons parcels and a flight of the Pinot Bianco, Friulano and Malvasia from the current vintage. The cellar focuses on traditional reductive whites without skin contact.

Signature wines: princic-pinot-bianco, princic-friulano, princic-malvasia

Tip: The Pinot Bianco is the cellar's calling card and one of the Collio's most-cited Pinot Bianco bottlings; pair it with the local prosciutto di San Daniele.

Franco Toros ★ 4.7

Franco Toros has run the small Novali cellar above Cormons since 1970, and the 10 hectares on ponca produce small lots of varietal Collio wines that critics regularly rank among the appellation's most precise.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Novali by appointment with a vineyard walk through the small Collio parcels and a varietal Collio flight of Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and the Merlot Riserva.

Signature wines: toros-friulano, toros-pinot-bianco, toros-sauvignon, toros-merlot

Tip: The Friulano is consistently among the appellation's most-cited; book the cellar early since the tasting room only holds 6.

La Tunella ★ 4.6

La Tunella was founded in 1960 by the Zorzettig family at Ipplis (Premariacco), in the centre of the Colli Orientali. Today brothers Massimo and Marco Zorzettig run the operation.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Ipplis by appointment with a vineyard walk and a flight of the Biancosesto Bianco, Sciarmat Sparkling and Refosco Rosso. The on-site agriturismo offers farmhouse rooms.

Signature wines: la-tunella-biancosesto, la-tunella-rjgialla, la-tunella-sciarmat, la-tunella-refosco

Tip: The Biancosesto Friulano-Ribolla blend is the cellar's whole-Colli statement; book the agriturismo for a Ramandolo and Picolit dessert-wine flight at the end of the visit.

Bastianich ★ 4.7

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.

Volpe Pasini ★ 4.7

Volpe Pasini's villa at Togliano dates to 1596 and the cellar's modern revival traces to the late-1980s acquisition by Emilio Rotolo. The 50 hectares on the Colli Orientali ridge above Cividale feed the Zuc di Volpe single-vineyard range as the cellar's signature programme.

Tasting: Estate visit at Togliano by appointment with a tour of the 16th-century villa and cellars, a vineyard walk through the Colli Orientali parcels and a flight of the Zuc di Volpe range. The on-site restaurant and farmhouse rooms pair estate wines with regional menus.

Signature wines: volpe-pasini-zuc-di-volpe-friulano, volpe-pasini-zuc-di-volpe-sauvignon, volpe-pasini-zuc-di-volpe-pinot-grigio

Tip: Book the villa restaurant for a Zuc di Volpe Friulano paired with regional gnocchi; the cellar runs estate-wide tastings before lunch service.

Rocca Bernarda ★ 4.7

Rocca Bernarda traces to 1559 when the Valvason family planted the first vineyards on the ridge above Premariacco. The estate was bequeathed to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1977 and the Order continues to operate it. The 26 hectares anchor one of the historical reference programmes for DOCG Picolit, with the recovered 19th-century plantings credited as one of the bases for the modern Picolit revival.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Premariacco by appointment with a tour of the 16th-century villa and the historic Picolit cellars, a vineyard walk through the Rocca Bernarda parcels and a flight including the Picolit DOCG.

Signature wines: rocca-bernarda-picolit, rocca-bernarda-friulano, rocca-bernarda-refosco, rocca-bernarda-verduzzo

Tip: The Picolit cellar walk at the villa is the most direct way to understand DOCG Picolit's tiny yields and the history of the grape's near-extinction.

Specogna ★ 4.6

Specogna was founded in 1963 and is now run by brothers Cristian and Michele Specogna, the third Specogna generation. The 28 hectares on Colli Orientali ponca around Rocca Bernarda feed a small range with parcel-level Friulano and Pignolo bottlings. The Picolit DOCG is among the cellar's library cuvées.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Rocca Bernarda by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Specogna parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Itoc Bianco and Picolit DOCG.

Signature wines: specogna-friulano, specogna-itoc-bianco, specogna-pignolo, specogna-picolit

Tip: Itoc Bianco (the cellar's whole-Colli Friulano-Pinot Grigio-Ribolla blend) is the entry to the cellar's library; ask for back vintages alongside.

Zorzettig ★ 4.6

Zorzettig was founded in 1986 by Giuseppe Zorzettig at Spessa di Cividale and built into the modern operation by daughter Annalisa Zorzettig, who took over in the 2000s.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Spessa di Cividale by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Myò parcels and a flight of the Myò Friulano, Myò Sauvignon and the Refosco. On-site agriturismo with farmhouse rooms.

Signature wines: zorzettig-myo-friulano, zorzettig-myo-sauvignon, zorzettig-refosco

Tip: Book the agriturismo for an extended cellar walk; the Myò Friulano is the cellar's most-cited bottling and the Refosco lands particularly well with the Friulian goulash.

Miani ★ 4.8

Enzo Pontoni rebuilt his family's small Buttrio cellar from 1985 onward into one of Friuli's most-allocated reference cellars. The 16 hectares of old-vine parcels around Buttrio (Buri, Filip, Saurint, Calvari) are dry-farmed at very low yields, fermented spontaneously and aged in large oak. Miani's whites are among the most concentrated examples of Colli Orientali Friulano and Sauvignon and have a long-running auction-market following.

Tasting: Cellar access is essentially closed to the public; the cellar does not run a standard visitor programme. Wines are allocated through a small distributor network and traded in the secondary market. Reference here is editorial only.

Signature wines: miani-friulano-buri, miani-friulano-filip, miani-sauvignon-saurint, miani-merlot-calvari

Tip: The cellar does not run public tastings; reach the wines through specialist Friuli importers and aged bottle lists at top regional restaurants.

Vie di Romans ★ 4.8

Gianfranco Gallo took over the family Isonzo plain cellar in 1978 and built Vie di Romans into the appellation's reference point. The 60 hectares on the alluvial gravel plain south of Cormons feed single-parcel Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Friulano with very low yields and lees-driven elevage. Vieris Sauvignon and Dessimis Pinot Grigio are the cellar's most-cited bottlings.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Vie di Romans by appointment with a vineyard walk through the river-shaped gravel parcels of the Isonzo plain and a flight of the Vieris Sauvignon, Dis Cumieris Friulano, Dessimis Pinot Grigio and Ciampagnis Chardonnay. Reservation required.

Signature wines: vie-di-romans-vieris, vie-di-romans-dis-cumieris, vie-di-romans-dessimis, vie-di-romans-ciampagnis, vie-di-romans-flors-di-uis

Tip: The Isonzo plain's gravel parcels produce ripe, concentrated whites unlike the more aromatic Collio expressions; book a comparative tasting with a Collio Sauvignon nearby.

Lis Neris ★ 4.7

Lis Neris has been in the Pecorari family since 1879, and Alvaro Pecorari has run the modern operation since the 1980s. The 75 hectares on Isonzo gravel feed Gris Pinot Grigio and Picol Sauvignon (the cellar's two single-parcel anchors), Confini (the cellar's whole-Isonzo blend) and Tal Lùc (a small-production late-harvest Verduzzo and Riesling blend).

Tasting: Cellar visit at San Lorenzo Isontino by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Lis Neris Isonzo parcels and a flight of the Gris Pinot Grigio, Picol Sauvignon, Confini and Tal Lùc late-harvest. Reservation required.

Signature wines: lis-neris-gris, lis-neris-picol, lis-neris-confini, lis-neris-tal-luc

Tip: Gris Pinot Grigio is one of Italy's most-cited Pinot Grigio bottlings; pair it with a salt-cured San Daniele prosciutto for the classic Friulian table.

Pierpaolo Pecorari ★ 4.6

Pierpaolo Pecorari built the cellar at San Lorenzo Isontino from 1974 onward, working the Isonzo gravel parcels in the DOC. Son Alessandro Pecorari now works alongside him.

Tasting: Cellar visit at San Lorenzo Isontino by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Isonzo gravel parcels and a flight of the single-parcel Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Reservation required.

Signature wines: pierpaolo-pecorari-altis-sauvignon, pierpaolo-pecorari-olivers-chardonnay, pierpaolo-pecorari-pinot-grigio, pierpaolo-pecorari-kolaus

Tip: The Altis Sauvignon is the cellar's lifted, aromatic flagship; the Pinot Grigio holds its own in any Friuli Isonzo lineup.

Borgo San Daniele ★ 4.6

Borgo San Daniele was founded in 1988 by siblings Mauro and Alessandra Mauri at the boundary of Cormons and the Isonzo plain. The 18 hectares on the river-shaped gravels feed a small range of single-parcel whites and a Bordeaux-style red. The cellar has been organic for over a decade and now works biodynamically.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Cormons by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Isonzo gravel parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Arbis Blanc and Gortmarin Rosso.

Signature wines: borgo-san-daniele-friulano, borgo-san-daniele-pinot-grigio, borgo-san-daniele-arbis-blanc, borgo-san-daniele-gortmarin

Tip: Arbis Blanc (Chardonnay, Friulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco) is the cellar's whole-Isonzo statement; pair it with the local Adriatic fish at La Subida.

Ronco del Gelso ★ 4.6

Giorgio Badin built Ronco del Gelso from 1985 onward at the boundary of Cormons and the Isonzo plain. The 23 hectares on river-shaped gravel feed single-parcel bottlings of Pinot Grigio (Sot lis Rivis), Friulano (Toc Bas) and a rare Friulian Riesling Renano (Latimis). The cellar has been organic for over a decade.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Cormons by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Isonzo parcels and a flight of the Pinot Grigio Sot lis Rivis, Friulano Toc Bas and the Riesling Renano Latimis. Reservation required.

Signature wines: ronco-del-gelso-pinot-grigio-sot-lis-rivis, ronco-del-gelso-friulano-toc-bas, ronco-del-gelso-riesling-latimis

Tip: The Riesling Renano Latimis is a rare Friulian dry Riesling; book a tasting against the Pinot Grigio Sot lis Rivis for an unusual Isonzo white flight.

Edi Kante ★ 4.8

Edi Kante built his cellar dug 18 metres deep into the Carso limestone at Prepotto-Aurisina starting in 1980, and now anchors the Carso DOC as one of its two reference cellars (alongside Vodopivec).

Tasting: Cellar visit at Prepotto by appointment with a tour of the 18-metre-deep cellar dug into the Carso limestone, a vineyard walk through the Aurisina parcels and a flight of the Vitovska, Malvasia, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. Reservation required.

Signature wines: kante-vitovska, kante-malvasia, kante-chardonnay, kante-sauvignon

Tip: The 18-metre cellar tour is the most striking architectural moment in any Carso cellar; ask to see all three excavated levels.

Zidarich ★ 4.7

Beniamino Zidarich founded the cellar in 1988 at Prepotto di Sgonico and built it into one of the Carso DOC's reference producers alongside Kante and Vodopivec.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Prepotto by appointment with a tour of the cellar dug into the Carso limestone, a vineyard walk through the Sgonico parcels and a flight of the Vitovska, Malvasia, Prulke Bianco and Terrano. Reservation required.

Signature wines: zidarich-vitovska, zidarich-prulke, zidarich-malvasia, zidarich-terrano

Tip: Prulke is the cellar's whole-Carso bianco statement; pair it with the local Carso prosciutto for the canonical karst table.

Skerk ★ 4.7

Sandi Skerk runs the family cellar at Prepotto di Sgonico, founded in 1968. The 10 hectares on the Carso plateau feed Vitovska, Malvasia, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio (all fermented on skins) plus the Terrano red.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Prepotto by appointment with a tour of the limestone-excavated cellar and a flight of the Vitovska, Malvasia, Ograde (the cellar's field blend) and Terrano. The on-site osmiza (the Carso seasonal farm tavern) serves karst plates with the wines.

Signature wines: skerk-vitovska, skerk-ograde, skerk-malvasia, skerk-terrano

Tip: Time a visit with one of the cellar's osmiza weekends to taste the wines alongside Carso prosciutto, jota soup and frico.

Castelvecchio ★ 4.5

Castelvecchio sits at Sagrado at the northern edge of the Carso, where the karst plateau meets the Isonzo plain. The Terraneo family has run the cellar since 1985, with Maddalena Terraneo leading the operation.

Tasting: Estate visit at Sagrado by appointment with a tour of the medieval castle ruins, a vineyard walk through the Carso parcels and a flight of the Vitovska, Malvasia and Terrano. The castle setting makes the visit a hybrid wine and heritage half-day.

Signature wines: castelvecchio-vitovska, castelvecchio-malvasia, castelvecchio-terrano, castelvecchio-refosco

Tip: The Carso castle setting at Sagrado makes Castelvecchio the most photogenic Carso visit; pair it with the Isonzo battlefield museum a short drive away.

Ronchi di Manzano ★ 4.5

Ronchi di Manzano was founded in 1969 by Giovanni Borghese and is now led by his daughter Roberta Borghese. The 50 hectares on Colli Orientali ponca around Manzano and Orsaria feed varietal whites, Schioppettino and Picolit DOCG. The on-site agriturismo doubles as a Colli Orientali base.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Orsaria by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Manzano parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Sauvignon, Schioppettino and Picolit DOCG. On-site agriturismo with farmhouse rooms.

Signature wines: ronchi-di-manzano-friulano, ronchi-di-manzano-schioppettino, ronchi-di-manzano-picolit

Tip: The Schioppettino is among the cellar's library cuvées; ask for a back-vintage tasting paired with the agriturismo dinner.

Attems ★ 4.5

Attems traces to 1106 as a noble Friulian family estate. Marchesi Frescobaldi acquired the operation in 2000 and has invested in the Lucinico cellar and Collio parcels since.

Tasting: Estate visit at Lucinico by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Collio parcels and a flight of the Cicinis Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio Ramato and the Sauvignon DOC Collio. Reservation required.

Signature wines: attems-cicinis, attems-pinot-grigio-ramato, attems-sauvignon

Tip: The Pinot Grigio Ramato is a worthwhile gateway to the Friulian skin-contact tradition without the full orange-wine commitment; pair it with the Friulian frico.

Castello di Spessa ★ 4.6

Castello di Spessa is built around a medieval castle whose first documented mention dates to 1300, and the modern wine operation was rebuilt by the Pali family.

Tasting: Estate visit at Capriva del Friuli by appointment with a tour of the medieval Castello di Spessa, a vineyard walk through the Collio parcels and a flight of the Capriva Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Santarosa Friulano. The on-site golf course, the Tavernetta and the boutique hotel rooms extend the visit into a full estate stay.

Signature wines: castello-di-spessa-capriva-sauvignon, castello-di-spessa-santarosa, castello-di-spessa-pinot-grigio

Tip: Book the hotel rooms for an extended Collio base; the Capriva Sauvignon is the cellar's most-cited cuvée and the Tavernetta restaurant carries a deep estate-wine list.

Borgo Conventi ★ 4.5

Borgo Conventi was founded in 1975 by Gianni Vescovo and acquired by Tenute Folonari in 2001. The 35 hectares straddle the Collio and Friuli Isonzo DOCs at Farra d'Isonzo and feed a small range of varietal whites plus the Bianco delle Streghe (Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Ribolla) blend. The cellar is the Folonari group's only Friulian property.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Farra d'Isonzo by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Collio and Isonzo parcels and a flight of the Borgo Conventi varietal whites and the Bianco delle Streghe blend.

Signature wines: borgo-conventi-friulano, borgo-conventi-bianco-delle-streghe, borgo-conventi-sauvignon

Tip: The Bianco delle Streghe is the cellar's whole-Collio statement; pair it with frico and prosciutto di San Daniele for the canonical Friulian board.

Puiatti ★ 4.5

Vittorio Puiatti founded the cellar in 1967 at Romans d'Isonzo, working alongside Mario Schiopetto in the modern Friulian whites revolution.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Romans d'Isonzo by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Puiatti parcels and a flight of the Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Archetipi Riserva. The cellar's traditional-method sparkling programme is among the appellation's references.

Signature wines: puiatti-pinot-grigio, puiatti-friulano, puiatti-archetipi

Tip: The Pinot Grigio is one of Friuli's most-distributed whites; book the Archetipi Riserva tasting for the cellar's library style.

Foffani ★ 4.4

Foffani has been in the family at Clauiano (one of Italy's borghi più belli) since 1789. The 22 hectares on the Friuli Aquileia plain feed varietal whites and the cellar's traditional-method sparkling. Giovanni Foffani runs the operation today.

Tasting: Estate visit at Clauiano by appointment with a tour of the historic Palazzo Foffani in the medieval village (one of Italy's borghi più belli), a vineyard walk through the Friuli Aquileia plain parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Sauvignon and Refosco.

Signature wines: foffani-friulano, foffani-refosco, foffani-spumante

Tip: Clauiano village walk is the natural pairing with a Foffani tasting; the medieval streets carry the Aquileia patriarchate's architectural fingerprint.

Tenuta di Blasig ★ 4.4

Tenuta di Blasig has been in the family at Ronchi dei Legionari since 1788, making it one of Friuli's oldest continuously family-owned cellars. Elisabetta Bortolusso leads the modern operation.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Ronchi dei Legionari by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Isonzo plain parcels and a flight of the Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Refosco.

Signature wines: tenuta-di-blasig-malvasia-istriana, tenuta-di-blasig-friulano, tenuta-di-blasig-refosco

Tip: The cellar's Malvasia Istriana from the Isonzo plain is a worthwhile contrast against the Carso versions; book a comparative tasting if travelling between the two appellations.

Kupelwieser ★ 4.4

Kupelwieser traces to 1898 as a Tyrolean family wine operation with holdings in Alto Adige and the Collio. The 20-hectare Capriva del Friuli cellar produces varietal Collio whites that travel widely in northern European markets. The family also runs the Castelfeder operation in Alto Adige.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Capriva del Friuli by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Collio parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla. The cellar is part of the historic Tyrolean Kupelwieser family operations that also include holdings in Alto Adige.

Signature wines: kupelwieser-friulano, kupelwieser-pinot-grigio, kupelwieser-sauvignon

Tip: A Kupelwieser visit pairs naturally with an Alto Adige tour the next day; the family's parallel Tyrolean cellar shares the same accent on cool-climate whites.

Scolaris ★ 4.3

Scolaris was founded in 1923 by the Scolaris family at San Lorenzo Isontino, in the Friuli Isonzo DOC. Andrea Scolaris runs the modern operation.

Tasting: Cellar visit at San Lorenzo Isontino by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Isonzo parcels and a flight of the Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Sauvignon.

Signature wines: scolaris-pinot-grigio, scolaris-friulano, scolaris-sauvignon

Tip: Book a comparative Pinot Grigio tasting against a Collio version nearby; the Isonzo gravels give a different mid-palate weight than the Collio ponca.

La Castellada Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Bensa family cellar at the Oslavia ridge pouring Ribolla Gialla, Friulano and the Bianco della Castellada extended-skin-contact blend across vineyard walks on the ponca slopes.

Tasting: Visit the Bensa family cellar at the top of Oslavia, with a vineyard walk on the ponca slopes and a flight of Ribolla Gialla, Friulano and the Bianco della Castellada extended-skin-contact blend.

Schiopetto Tasting Room ★ 4.8

Mario Schiopetto's Capriva cellar at the Palazzo Arcivescovile pours Friulano, Pinot Grigio and the Mario Schiopetto Riserva, the technical baseline for modern Friulian white wine since the late 1960s.

Tasting: Visit the Capriva cellar where Mario Schiopetto installed stainless-steel temperature-controlled white-wine vinifications in the late 1960s, with a vineyard walk above the Palazzo Arcivescovile and a flight of Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and the Mario Schiopetto Riserva.

Russiz Superiore Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Marco Felluga group cellar at Capriva above the Isonzo plain, pouring Friulano, Pinot Bianco and the Riserva degli Orzoni Merlot across vineyard walks on the south-facing ponca.

Tasting: Visit the Marco Felluga group's hillside Russiz Superiore cellar at Capriva, with a vineyard walk on the south-facing ponca slopes above the river plain and a flight of Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and the Riserva degli Orzoni Merlot.

Livio Felluga Tasting Room ★ 4.9

Livio Felluga cellar at Brazzano of Cormons pours Friulano, Pinot Grigio, the Terre Alte Rosazzo white blend and the DOCG Picolit, the modern Colli Orientali reference.

Tasting: Visit the Brazzano of Cormons cellar where Livio Felluga rebuilt the Rosazzo hill plantings after 1956, with a tour of the Vigneti delle Dolomiti slopes and a flight of Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Terre Alte (Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon white blend) and the DOCG Picolit.

Venica & Venica Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Venica family cellar at Cero of Dolegna del Collio pours Sauvignon Ronco delle Mele, Friulano Ronco delle Cime and the Bianco Tre Vignis blend across vineyard walks on the Dolegna ridge.

Tasting: Visit the Venica family cellar at Cero of Dolegna del Collio, with a walk through the Ronco delle Cime and Ronco delle Mele vineyards and a flight of Sauvignon Ronco delle Mele, Friulano Ronco delle Cime and the Bianco Tre Vignis.

Bastianich Tasting Room ★ 4.6

Bastianich family cellar at Cividale del Friuli pours Vespa Bianco, Friulano Plus and the Calabrone Refosco, Schioppettino and Pignolo blend across vineyard walks above Cividale.

Tasting: Visit the Bastianich family cellar at Premariacco above Cividale where Joe and Lidia Bastianich built the Friuli outpost of their New York Italian-food family, with a flight of Vespa Bianco (Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Picolit), the Friulano Plus and the Calabrone Refosco, Schioppettino and Pignolo red.

La Tunella Tasting Room ★ 4.6

Zorzettig family La Tunella cellar at Ipplis of Premariacco pours Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and the Biancosesto Friulano and Ribolla blend across the Colli Orientali slopes.

Tasting: Visit the Zorzettig family cellar at Ipplis of Premariacco, with a walk through the Colli Orientali plantings and a flight of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano and the Biancosesto Friulano and Ribolla white blend.

Volpe Pasini Tasting Room ★ 4.6

Volpe Pasini's 16th-century cellar at Togliano of Torreano pours Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and the Zuc di Volpe single-vineyard whites across the Colli Orientali ridge.

Tasting: Visit the 16th-century Volpe Pasini cellar at Togliano of Torreano with a vineyard walk on the Zuc di Volpe ridge and a flight of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano and the Zuc di Volpe single-vineyard whites.

Vie di Romans Tasting Room ★ 4.8

Gianfranco Gallo's Vie di Romans cellar on the Isonzo gravel terraces pours single-vineyard Chardonnay, Sauvignon Piere, Friulano Dolee and Pinot Grigio Dessimis.

Tasting: Visit Gianfranco Gallo's Vie di Romans cellar on the Isonzo gravel terraces at Mariano del Friuli, with a vineyard walk past the single-vineyard plots and a flight of Chardonnay Vie di Romans, Sauvignon Piere, Friulano Dolee and the Pinot Grigio Dessimis.

Edi Kante Tasting Room ★ 4.8

Edi Kante's three-storey 18-metre-deep limestone cellar at Prepotto of Duino-Aurisina pours Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Sauvignon and the Terrano red from the Carso karst.

Tasting: Visit Edi Kante's 18-metre-deep limestone cellar at Prepotto of Duino-Aurisina, dug straight into the karst, with a flight of Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Sauvignon and the Terrano red from the iron-rich terra rossa soils.

Castello di Spessa Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Castello di Spessa's 13th-century castle cellar above Capriva pours Sauvignon, Friulano, Pinot Grigio and the Casanova Pignolo across the 18-hole golf-course estate.

Tasting: Visit the 13th-century Castello di Spessa above Capriva del Friuli (Casanova once stayed at the castle in the 1770s), with a walk through the 18-hole golf course planted between the vineyards and a flight of Sauvignon, Friulano, Pinot Grigio and the Casanova Pignolo red.

Skerk ★ 4.6

Seven-hectare Carso cellar at Sgonico with a limestone-carved underground tasting room and extended-skin-contact Vitovska, Malvasia and Terrano.

Why locals love it: Small estate (seven hectares), limestone-carved cellar that is not signposted from the main road, and a Carso location off the standard Collio circuit. Distribution remains tight.

Tip: Book the cellar tour to see the limestone-carved amphitheatre tasting room cut into the karst; visits run by appointment with Sandi or one of the family.

Miani ★ 4.8

Cult Colli Orientali cellar at Buttrio under Enzo Pontoni; tiny production of single-plot Friulano, Sauvignon, Refosco and Merlot.

Why locals love it: Cellar door visits are extremely limited; the bottles sit at the cult-collector end of the Colli Orientali. Allocations to the wine trade are small and waiting-list managed.

Tip: Miani bottles are easier to find at top Cormons and Cividale wine bars than at the cellar; the Enoteca Comunale at Cormons usually has at least one Miani open.

La Castellada ★ 4.6

Eight-hectare Oslavia cellar in the centre of the orange-wine hamlet; the Bianco della Castellada is a five-grape extended-skin-contact blend.

Why locals love it: Tight production (around 25,000 bottles a year) keeps the cellar off most international retail lists; cellar door visits run by appointment only.

Tip: La Castellada sits within walking distance of Gravner and Radikon at Oslavia; arrange all three on a single morning if the appointments line up.

Borgo del Tiglio Collio Studio di Bianco ★ 4.7

Studio di Bianco is the Friulano-led white blend from Nicola Manferrari at Borgo del Tiglio in Brazzano di Cormons. Tiny production from the cellar's hilltop ponca vineyards: a blend of Friulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco and Riesling. Yellow apple, citrus peel, white flowers, mineral salt and an ageing capacity unusual at this price band.

Tip: Borgo del Tiglio bottles are allocated tight; book the cellar visit directly to taste current and library vintages of Studio di Bianco side-by-side.

Lis Neris Picol Sauvignon ★ 4.4

Picol is the entry-tier Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon from Lis Neris, the Pecorari family cellar on the Isonzo gravel terraces at San Lorenzo Isontino. Stainless-vinified, partial lees contact.

Tip: Lis Neris is also a strong stop for the Gris Pinot Grigio in the same flight; the cellar door pours both side-by-side as the house contrast.