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

Ceschia grappa house at Nimis distilling Verduzzo Friulano pomace from the DOCG Ramandolo zone and Colli Orientali Schioppettino, Refosco and Picolit pomace on small-batch copper stills.

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.