Friuli-Venezia Giulia is in northeast Italy, between Austria, Slovenia, the Adriatic Sea, and Veneto. Though relatively small compared to other Italian wine regions, it accounts for some of the most exciting white and orange wines in the country. This region is home to icons Gravner, and Radikon, leading naturalist winemakers renowned for their pioneering use of extended skin contact whites, and ageing in amphora.

Our three Friuli-Venezia Giulia producers were inspired by these forward thinking wineries, each producing their own striking, memorable, and ageworthy wines of place.

We're proud to represent these producers in Ontario, and share their distinct wines and stories. In addition to bringing in small lots of their wines, we've created a mixed case for each producer, including some wines not available solo by the case, so you can taste through and experience these exciting portfolios.

Vodopivec

Paolo Vodopivec, above with Bernard in 2013, owns this organically and biodynamically farmed Carso estate, on the border with Slovenia, and just north of Trieste. Vodopivec (vo-do-pee-vetz), works solely with the Vitovska grape, and knows it intimately. Only 50 hectares of Vitovska currently exist in Carso, and Vodopivec owns 6 hectares on his limestone plateau estate. Inspired by the wines of Gravner, he uses amphorae to age many of his wines.

Available Wines:

Vitovska 2016, IGT Venezia Giulia, Italy. $81.95
Vitovska 2017, IGT Venezia Giulia, Italy. $81.95
Solo MM17 2017, IGT Venezia Giulia, Italy. $99.95

Mixed Case Vodopivec. 6 bottles for $555.00

Zidarich

Zidarich is based in the Friulian region of Carso, a very rocky region that borders Slovenia. Benjamin and his wife Marisa Zidarich tend 8 hectares here in a naturalist, non-intervention vein. Following his father, Benjamin began in 1988 with just one hectare and has since grown his holdings to eight hectares, all of which he farms without the use of chemicals. The vines grow in the classic iron and calcium rich red soils of the area, extending deep into the limestone that looms just below the surface. Benjamin works primarily with Vitovska, the classic local variety of the Carso, but he also has plantings of Malvasia and Sauvignon. as well as small amounts of Teran (another local variety) and Merlot for his reds.

Available Wines:

Vitovska 2018, IGP Venezia Giulia, Italy. $57.95
Malvasia 2017, IGP Venezia Giulia, Italy. $57.95

Mixed Case Zidarich. 6 bottles for $339.00

Draga

Draga, which in the Slovenian language means ‘precious’, is located in the stunning area between the hills of San Floriano del Collio, north of Gorizia, around 270m altitude. To the north they are protected by the Alps, and to the south the winery benefits from the influence of the Adriatic Sea. The winery is managed by Milan, Anna and his son Mitja, whose strength is the union of freshness, passion, and experience of four generations of the Miklus family. Their history in winemaking dates back to early 1900, and before then, their cultivation of grapes, cherries, and other agricultural products had been passed down from generation to generation.

Read more about Draga here.

Available Wines:

Miklus Malvasia 2016, DOC Collio. $51.95
Miklus Jakot Francesco 2017, DOC Collio. $51.95
Miklus Pinot Grigio 2017, DOC Collio. $58.95
Miklus Ribolla Gialla 2016, IGP Venezie Giulia. $58.95

Mixed Case Draga. 5 bottles for $319.00

Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.

Cheers,