Seventy-five years of history do not represent a finishing line, but rather the beginning of a new phase. This was the message launched by Cantina Rauscedo during the evening that inaugurated the celebrations of the historic Friulian cooperative’s important anniversary. Between the presentation of its first Sustainability Report, a renewed corporate identity, new development strategies and an increasingly international outlook, the Rauscedo-based winery has chosen to look to the future, building a bridge between the heritage accumulated over more than seven decades and the challenges that lie ahead.
Cantina Rauscedo and a Celebration of 75 Years of Cooperation
On 1 August, Cantina Rauscedo opened its doors to members, employees, institutions and guests to celebrate its first 75 years of activity.
The evening, the first event in a programme that will continue throughout 2026, was hosted by Simon Staffler, the face of Falstaff Italia, who introduced a video recounting the cooperative’s journey from its foundation in 1951 to the present day.
The event provided an opportunity not only to retrace the winery’s history, but above all to share a new strategic vision aimed at the coming decades.
The First Sustainability Report Marks the Beginning of a New Era
One of the central moments of the evening was the speech by President Antonio Zuliani, who presented the cooperative’s first Sustainability Report.
The document was created with the aim of making the value generated by the company for its members, the local territory and the wider community more measurable and transparent.
According to the management team, it represents a tool designed to strengthen a path already underway and oriented towards increasingly responsible and verifiable growth.
During his speech, the President reaffirmed the central role of quality as the guiding principle of change.
“The renewal process we have undertaken is founded on an essential principle: quality,” declared Zuliani. “For this reason, we have strengthened our production structure through the addition of highly qualified professionals who work alongside our longstanding staff, whose contribution has been fundamental to the company’s growth over the years. At the same time, we have invested in the innovation of our production facilities and winery, with the objective of continuously improving grape processing and winemaking operations. This commitment also involves our members, who are supported through a process of ongoing professional development so that they can fully express the value of the territory and strengthen the identity of our wines. Only through continuous improvement can we consolidate the trust of our customers and attract new ones.”
Flavio Geretto and the Cooperative’s New Course with a Global Outlook
The celebration of the 75th anniversary coincides with a period of significant organisational renewal.
Among the key figures of this new phase is General Manager Flavio Geretto, appointed only a few months ago and already engaged in defining the strategic guidelines that will shape the development of the cooperative in the years ahead.
During the evening, Geretto outlined the company’s future strategy and presented two celebratory magnums dedicated to the anniversary: one of Refosco and one of Sauvignon, both featuring labels created specifically for the occasion.
For Cantina Rauscedo, renewal also extends to its image. The cooperative has launched a programme affecting its headquarters, hospitality spaces and brand positioning, with the objective of strengthening recognition and enhancing its ability to engage with international markets.
“The 75th anniversary represents a moment of awareness: we are proud of the journey that has brought us this far, but even more determined to build what we will become tomorrow,” said Geretto. “This confidence stems from a heritage that in recent months I have come to know and appreciate even more deeply: a membership base profoundly connected to the cooperative, a governance structure capable of vision, and collaborators whose technical, agronomic and oenological expertise ranks among the finest in Italy.”
The General Manager of Cantina Rauscedo continued:
“The renovation works at our headquarters are the first tangible sign of a broader project aimed at enhancing the image of the winery and the values of our community, because we believe that every great transformation must begin with its roots. We want to strengthen Cantina Rauscedo as a recognisable brand, one that can be communicated internationally and capable of showing the world the value of Friuli and its wine heritage. We are also preparing to seize the important opportunity presented by Pordenone as Italian Capital of Culture 2027, convinced that wine can be one of the most authentic ambassadors of our territory. Behind us lies a 75-year history that provides solid foundations; ahead of us is the challenge of continuing to be protagonists within a wine world that is changing rapidly, where we increasingly compete with larger and larger organisations. In this scenario, collaboration is not an option but the primary path towards generating shared value for members, the territory and the supply chain. We do not consider this anniversary a point of arrival, but rather a responsibility towards the future of the winery and of those who will come after us. It is a challenge we intend to face through clear projects, coherent investments and a vision shared with our members, our employees and our territory.”
Strong Institutional Participation
The celebration also featured significant institutional participation.
A video message was delivered by Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, followed by a message from Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
Also taking part were MEP Alessandro Ciriani, Regional Councillor Stefano Zannier, and the Mayor of San Giorgio della Richinvelda, Michele Leon, confirming the important role that Cantina Rauscedo continues to play within the economic and social fabric of the region.
Cantina Rauscedo: Art, Territory and the Future
Among the most significant moments of the evening was the unveiling of a new artwork presented by artist Giorgio Celiberti, followed by a guided tour of the cooperative’s production facilities.
The initiative highlighted the close relationship between culture, territorial identity and wine production that has always characterised the history of the winery.
Founded in 1951, Cantina Rauscedo today brings together more than 300 winegrowing families and cultivates approximately 2,000 hectares in the Grave del Friuli area.
Specialising in Friulian white wines and Prosecco, it operates in both domestic and international markets through a model that integrates supply chain control, technical expertise and sustainable growth.
The celebrations of the cooperative’s 75th anniversary will continue throughout 2026 and will include an important event on 7 October, when the winery will host a conference dedicated to the future of the wine sector.
A new chapter for an organisation that, after 75 years of cooperation, has chosen to look forward with the same determination that has accompanied its growth from the very beginning.
