Friuli Venezia Giulia Insiders Wine Tour

DAY 1. In the morning we will visit Dario Coos, a wine maker in Ramandolo, which still hand-picks grapes and makes only wines of native varieties, among which Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and its namesake wine Ramandolo stand out. Then we will move to the Colli Orientali del Friuli with the first stop at Aquila del Torre - wine by nature, which only produces organic wines and pioneers the biodynamic agriculture in the region. In the afternoon, we will have a visit at Villa de Puppi which offers uncompromised quality, and among others stand out interpretations of international varieties such as Sauvignon and Chardonnay made with méthode champenoise alongside native varieties such as Ribolla Gialla - both still and sparkling. Closing the day with a stroll in Cividale del Friuli, the former capital of the Lombard Kingdom and today the UNESCO World Heritage site. 

DAY 2. Our first stop is at the family-run Cantarutti Alfieri, pioneer of sparkling wines in Friuli, where two interpretations of classic méthode champenoised from Pinot Nero grapes and a blend highly appreciated on an international scale will be proposed. In the afternoon you’ll enter Collio at Russiz Superiore winery, which origins are dating back to 1200. You’ll visit the spectacular “Orzoni” cellar and enjoy a wine tasting on the panoramic terrace with postcard views on Italian Collio and Slovenian “Brda”. Among the excellent wines cultivated on these wonderful hills: Pinot Gris, exported worldwide, and an extremely delicate and elegant Pinot Blanc. Then move onto Castello di Spessa - now home to a renowned golf & country club, where you can visit its 13th-century cellar and taste such varieties as a special Pinot Gris “Joy” (onion skin colored), a remarkable Pinot Noir and their sparkling Ribolla Gialla. The day continues into evening with dinner and an overnight stay in the area.

DAY 3. You will reach the estate of Castelvecchio. This site of the early conflicts during the Great War today hosts the Parco Ungaretti. The main feature of the visit takes place at Villa della Torre Hohenlohe where you can admire the frescoes dating back to the mid 700's, and the graffiti left by soldiers whose serious wounds were treated when the block had been used as a field hospital during the Great War. The tasting experience offers Malvasia Istriana which you will try both in dry and passito styles, and the Terrano - also offered in unusual sparkling style.