Wine in Nimis, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Dario Coos ★ 4.5

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.

Distilleria Ceschia ★ 4.4

Grappa house in Nimis that traces its start to 1886, when Giacomo Ceschia went from village to village by cart collecting pomace. The range includes Grappa Ramandolo, named for the local DOCG sweet white, and the Nemas grappas, with guided visits and an enoteca at the distillery.

Dario Coos ★ 4.4

Small specialist Ramandolo and Picolit DOCG cellar in the Nimis foothills above Tarcento, with tight production and a Pre-Alpine microclimate.

Why locals love it: Tiny Nimis foothill DOCG that gets less attention than the Collio whites; the cellar is small enough that visits run by appointment with the family.

Tip: The Ramandolo hillsides have a Pre-Alpine microclimate distinct from the Collio and Colli Orientali; pair the cellar visit with a Tarcento or Nimis lunch.