DOC Collio / Venezia Giulia IGTRibolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pignolo18 haFounded 1901Gravner family (Josko Gravner with daughters Mateja and Jana)Winemaker Josko GravnerBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDoslavia
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.
DOC Collio / Venezia Giulia IGTRibolla Gialla, Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Merlot12 haFounded 1980Radikon family (Sasa Radikon with brother Ivan, since their father Stanko Radikon's 2016 death)Winemaker Sasa RadikonBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDoslavia
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.
DOC Collio / Venezia Giulia IGTRibolla Gialla, Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon10 haFounded 1985Bensa family (Giorgio and Nicolò Bensa with sons Stefano and Matteo Bensa)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDoslavia
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.
Venezia Giulia IGT / DOC CollioRibolla Gialla, Friulano, Malvasia Istriana, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon12 haFounded 1999Damijan PodversicWinemaker Damijan PodversicBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDoslavia
Damijan Podversic established his own cellar in 1999 after years of working with Josko Gravner. The 12 hectares climb Monte Calvario above Gorizia city, sharing the ponca slope with the Oslavia houses.
Tasting: Cellar visit by appointment at Gorizia with a vineyard walk on the Monte Calvario parcels above the city and a flight of the Kaplja Bianco, Nekaj, Ribolla and Prelit Rosso from current and back vintages.
Signature wines: damijan-podversic-ribolla, damijan-podversic-kaplja, damijan-podversic-nekaj, damijan-podversic-prelit
Tip: The Kaplja Bianco (Friulano, Chardonnay, Malvasia Istriana) is the cellar's house white; pair it with prosciutto di San Daniele for the canonical Friulian table.
DOC CollioFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay30 haFounded 1965Rotolo family (Carlo Rotolo)capriva-del-friuli
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.
DOC CollioPinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay130 haFounded 1956Felluga family (Roberto Felluga)capriva-del-friuli
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.
DOC CollioFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Merlot65 haFounded 1967Felluga family (Roberto Felluga)capriva-del-friuli
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.
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / DOCG Rosazzo / DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit / DOC CollioFriulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Picolit, Merlot165 haFounded 1956Felluga family (Maurizio Felluga, Filippo Felluga, Elda Felluga and Andrea Felluga)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDmanzano
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.
DOC CollioFriulano, Sauvignon, Malvasia Istriana, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Merlot18 haFounded 1981Nicola ManferrariWinemaker Nicola Manferraricormons
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.
DOC CollioFriulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana14 haFounded 1972Keber family (Edi Keber with son Kristian Keber)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDcormons
Edi Keber has farmed the family parcels at Zegla above Cormons since 1972 and pushed the cellar toward the field-blend Collio Bianco model in the 2010s.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Zegla by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Cormons hillside parcels and a vertical tasting of the Collio Bianco (Friulano, Ribolla, Malvasia) across multiple vintages. Kristian Keber runs day-to-day winemaking.
Signature wines: edi-keber-collio, edi-keber-collio-riserva
Tip: The cellar's argument that Collio is a single blend, not a list of varietals, is best understood with a vertical of the Collio across three or four vintages.
DOC CollioSauvignon, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso40 haFounded 1930Venica family (Gianni and Giorgio Venica with sons Ornella, Giampaolo, Lorenzo and Maurizio Venica)dolegna-del-collio
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.
DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliFriulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Merlot12 haFounded 1976Serena PalazzoloWinemaker Christian Patat (consulting); Serena Palazzolo (direction)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDmanzano
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.
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.
DOC CollioFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Malvasia Istriana, Ribolla Gialla11 haFounded 1955Princic family (Sandro Princic and Alessandro Princic)cormons
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.
DOC CollioFriulano, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot10 haFounded 1970Toros family (Franco Toros with daughter Cristina Toros)cormons
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.
DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino70 haFounded 1960Zorzettig family (Massimo and Marco Zorzettig)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDbuttrio
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.
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.
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / DOCG Rosazzo / DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli PicolitFriulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Pignolo, Picolit60 haFounded 1924Zamò family (Pierluigi and Silvano Zamò with daughter Annamaria Zamò)corno-di-rosazzo
Founded in 1924 by Vittorio Zamò and run today by Pierluigi and Silvano Zamò alongside daughter Annamaria. The 60 hectares span the Rosazzo ridge, Vigne dal Leon parcel and Abbazia di Rosazzo plots in the Colli Orientali. The cellar bottles a single-parcel Pignolo (one of the region's revival reds) and the Vigne dal Leon Refosco alongside the Picolit DOCG.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Rocca Bernarda by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Vigne dal Leon and Abbazia di Rosazzo parcels and a flight of the Tullio Zamò Bianco, Vigne dal Leon Refosco and the Picolit DOCG.
Signature wines: le-vigne-di-zamo-tullio-zamo, le-vigne-di-zamo-vigne-dal-leon-refosco, le-vigne-di-zamo-pignolo, le-vigne-di-zamo-picolit
Tip: Ask for the Pignolo back-vintages; the cellar holds library stock of one of Friuli's near-extinct revival reds.
DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso50 haFounded 1596Rotolo family (Emilio Rotolo)buttrio
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.
DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit / DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliPicolit, Friulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Verduzzo Friulano, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso26 haFounded 1559Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta (Sovereign Military Order of Malta)corno-di-rosazzo
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.
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli PicolitFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Picolit28 haFounded 1963Specogna family (Cristian and Michele Specogna)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDcorno-di-rosazzo
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.
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / DOC CollioFriulano, Malvasia Istriana, Verduzzo Friulano, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso16 haFounded 1996Pinto family (Mario Zanusso with sons Ferdinando Zanusso)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDcorno-di-rosazzo
I Clivi was founded in 1996 by Mario Zanusso, who restored old-vine parcels at Corno di Rosazzo (Clivi Galea in the Colli Orientali) and Brazzano (Clivi Brazan in the Collio) where vines now average over 60 years.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Gramogliano by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Clivi Brazan and Clivi Galea old-vine parcels (vines averaging over 60 years) and a flight of the Brazan Friulano, Galea Bianco and the Malvasia. Reservation required.
Signature wines: i-clivi-brazan-friulano, i-clivi-galea-bianco, i-clivi-malvasia, i-clivi-verduzzo-rno
Tip: Ask the cellar for vine ages on the Clivi Brazan and Clivi Galea parcels; both are among the oldest continuous Friulano plantings in the region.
DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino100 haFounded 1986Zorzettig family (Annalisa Zorzettig)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDcividale-del-friuli
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.
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / Schioppettino di Prepotto sub-denomination / DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli PicolitSchioppettino, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Verduzzo Friulano, Picolit, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla21 haFounded 1970Rapuzzi family (Pierpaolo and Ivan Rapuzzi)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDprepotto
Paolo and Dina Rapuzzi bought the abandoned Cialla parcels in 1970 and replanted Schioppettino from heritage cuttings, working with the Prepotto growers' association to add the variety back to the permitted Friulian list. The cellar is the historical anchor of the Schioppettino-revival narrative and the namesake of the Schioppettino di Prepotto sub-denomination formalised in 2008. Sons Pierpaolo and Ivan Rapuzzi now run the operation.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Cialla by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Schioppettino parcels in the Prepotto valley and a flight of the Schioppettino di Cialla, Refosco, Verduzzo and Picolit. The cellar holds back-vintage library bottles for special visits.
Signature wines: ronchi-di-cialla-schioppettino, ronchi-di-cialla-refosco, ronchi-di-cialla-verduzzo, ronchi-di-cialla-picolit
Tip: Ask for a Schioppettino di Cialla vertical; the cellar holds library stock and the variety ages 10 to 20 years.
DOCG Ramandolo / DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli PicolitVerduzzo Friulano, Picolit, Friulano, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso15 haFounded 1979Coos family (Dario Coos with daughter Federica Coos)nimis
Dario Coos founded the cellar in 1979 in the Ramandolo zone above Nimis and built it into one of the appellation's most-cited sweet-wine producers. Daughter Federica Coos now works in the cellar.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Ramandolo by appointment with a vineyard walk through the steep Monte Bernadia slopes and a flight of the Ramandolo DOCG, the Picolit DOCG and the Friulano Colli Orientali. The cellar's sweet-wine focus makes it a strong base for understanding the late-harvest tradition.
Signature wines: dario-coos-ramandolo-il-longhino, dario-coos-picolit, dario-coos-friulano
Tip: Il Longhino Ramandolo is the cellar's flagship; pair it with the local Montasio cheese at the end of a Colli Orientali day trip.
DOC Friuli Colli OrientaliFriulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Merlot16 haFounded 1985Enzo PontoniWinemaker Enzo PontoniBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDbuttrio
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.
DOC Friuli IsonzoPinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, Chardonnay, Malvasia Istriana, Pinot Bianco60 haFounded 1978Gallo family (Gianfranco Gallo)Winemaker Gianfranco Galloromans-d-isonzo
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.
DOC Friuli IsonzoPinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Merlot, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso75 haFounded 1879Pecorari family (Alvaro Pecorari)Winemaker Alvaro PecorariORGANIC CERTIFIEDromans-d-isonzo
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.
DOC Friuli IsonzoPinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Merlot25 haFounded 1974Pecorari family (Pierpaolo Pecorari and son Alessandro Pecorari)romans-d-isonzo
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.
DOC Friuli IsonzoFriulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon18 haFounded 1988Mauri family (Mauro and Alessandra Mauri)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDmariano-del-friuli
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.
DOC Friuli IsonzoPinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling Renano, Merlot23 haFounded 1985Giorgio BadinWinemaker Giorgio BadinORGANIC CERTIFIEDromans-d-isonzo
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.
DOC Carso / Venezia Giulia IGTVitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Nero12 haFounded 1980Edi KanteWinemaker Edi KanteORGANIC CERTIFIEDduino-aurisina
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.
DOC Carso / Venezia Giulia IGTVitovska6 haFounded 1997Vodopivec family (Paolo Vodopivec with brother Valter Vodopivec)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDsgonico
Paolo Vodopivec founded the cellar at Sgonico in 1997 and committed it entirely to Vitovska, the indigenous Carso variety. His brother Valter Vodopivec joined the operation.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Colludrozza by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Carso parcels and a flight of the Vitovska, Vitovska Anfora and the cellar's experimental long-elevage releases. Reservation required.
Signature wines: vodopivec-vitovska, vodopivec-vitovska-anfora, vodopivec-solo-mm
Tip: The Vitovska Anfora is the cellar's reference cuvée; ask for a back-vintage tasting alongside the standard Vitovska to read the qvevri-driven evolution.
DOC CarsoVitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Terrano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio10 haFounded 1988Zidarich family (Beniamino Zidarich)Winemaker Beniamino ZidarichBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDsgonico
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.
DOC CarsoVitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Terrano10 haFounded 1968Skerk family (Sandi Skerk)Winemaker Sandi SkerkBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDsgonico
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.
DOC CarsoVitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Terrano, Refosco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon50 haFounded 1985Terraneo family (Maddalena Terraneo)duino-aurisina
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.
DOC CarsoVitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Glera, Terrano6 haFounded 1990Lupinc family (Matej Lupinc)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDduino-aurisina
Matej Lupinc runs the small family cellar at Prosecco, the Carso village above Trieste whose name famously predates the Glera-grape sparkling Prosecco of the Veneto.
Tasting: Cellar visit at Prosecco by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Carso parcels above Trieste and a flight of the Vitovska, Malvasia and Glera bottlings. The cellar's osmiza runs at the Carso seasonal calendar.
Signature wines: lupinc-vitovska, lupinc-malvasia, lupinc-glera-sui-lieviti
Tip: The Glera sui lieviti bottling is one of the few Glera wines from the Carso village of Prosecco itself; the cellar serves it during the osmiza weekends.
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali / DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli PicolitFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Schioppettino, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Picolit50 haFounded 1969Roberta BorgheseWinemaker Roberta Borghesemanzano
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.
DOC CollioPinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay45 haFounded 1106Frescobaldi family (Marchesi Frescobaldi group)san-floriano-del-collio
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.
DOC CollioFriulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon50 haFounded 1300Pali family (Loretto Pali)capriva-del-friuli
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.
DOC Collio / DOC Friuli IsonzoFriulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Merlot35 haFounded 1975Folonari family (Tenute Folonari)capriva-del-friuli
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.
DOC Friuli Isonzo / DOC CollioPinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Bianco50 haFounded 1967Bertossi family (Vittorio Puiatti's heirs)romans-d-isonzo
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.
DOC Friuli Aquileia / DOC FriuliFriulano, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Merlot22 haFounded 1789Foffani family (Giovanni Foffani)mariano-del-friuli
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.
DOC Friuli IsonzoMalvasia Istriana, Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon14 haFounded 1788Bortolusso family (Elisabetta Bortolusso)mariano-del-friuli
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.
DOC CollioPinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay20 haFounded 1898Kupelwieser familycapriva-del-friuli
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.
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.
DOC Friuli Isonzo / DOC CollioPinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Bianco30 haFounded 1923Scolaris family (Andrea Scolaris)romans-d-isonzo
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.