Italy | Friuli-Venezia Giulia

A view over Vineyards and Valley near Nimis in Northeastern Italy

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine region is situated in Italy’s northeastern corner. Located on the Adriatic coast it is bordered by the Alps, Austria to the north and Slovenia to the east. The wines from Friuli stand out noticeably from other Italian wines as the region has grown many non-Italian grape varieties since phylloxera wiped out its vineyards in the late 19th century. The Friulians used the opportunity to replant their vineyards with better-quality foreign grapes including Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling alongside more traditional varieties of Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio and Picolit.

Over the past century the Friuli-Venezia Giulia's reputation has been driven by a select group of quality-conscious, small-scale winemakers who have shown that the use of superior grape varieties, alongside lower yields, can produce wines of a remarkable quality. Today, Friuli is home to some of Italy's finest wines recognised the world over.