Amid the gentle hills stretching between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, on the border with Slovenia, Collio stands out as one of Italy’s most extraordinary wine regions. A fertile, sunlit crescent where native and international grape varieties coexist harmoniously, giving life to wines of rare elegance and personality. Here, nature has created a unique microcosm, where the mild, breezy climate and mineral-rich soils shape the identity of a land that is at once a place, a culture, and a vocation—embodied in one of its most authentic expressions: Friulano.
A Land of History and Biodiversity
Collio, located in the province of Gorizia, is a mosaic of hills and small villages interspersed with woods, nature reserves, and perfectly manicured vineyards.
This borderland, shaped over centuries by Friulian, Slovenian, and Austrian influences, preserves a millennia-old winemaking tradition dating back to Roman times, which was officially consecrated with the recognition of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) in 1968.
Across roughly 1,300 hectares of vineyards, Collio’s wineries tend their vines like gardens, enhancing the biodiversity that characterizes the area. The result is a perfect balance, where every wine becomes an authentic expression of its hillside and the hand of its producer.
Ponca: The Mineral Heart of Collio
What makes Collio’s white wines unmistakable is Ponca—the marl and sandstone soil of Eocene origin that represents the geological soul of the region.
This unique formation, the result of millions of years of marine sedimentation, imparts extraordinary mineral richness to the grapes, translating in the glass into salinity, structure, and longevity.
Ponca, together with the interplay of sun, wind, and gentle rains, gives Collio wines their freshness and depth, making them recognizable and beloved worldwide.
Friulano: The Soul of Collio in a Glass
Among the native varieties that best express Collio’s personality—alongside Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia, and Picolit—Friulano is the most emblematic. Known as Tocai Friulano until 2007, it represents the beating heart of viticulture in this borderland, capable of conveying, like few others, the reserved and sincere character of its people.
In the glass, it reveals vegetal and floral notes on the nose, with an unmistakable hint of bitter almond that returns on the palate, where the sip is dry, full, and harmonious. A versatile wine, perfect as an aperitif but also an ideal companion for fish dishes, white meats, and local cured ham.
Collio DOC Friulano is the result of a rare balance between immediacy and depth. It embodies the salinity of Ponca, the freshness of the microclimate, and the rural soul of its producers, showcasing the most authentic essence of these highly suited hills.
Friulano: A Story in the Glass at Collio Evolution 2025
During Collio Evolution 2025—the new event celebrating the quality of the region’s wines—Friulano took center stage as the star attraction.
A technical tasting dedicated to the press explored the grape in its various interpretations, from the freshest vintages to more mature versions, revealing this white wine’s extraordinary ability to evolve over time.
Above all, the tasting highlighted Friulano’s capacity to interpret its terroir. In WineCouture’s session, freshness, minerality, and aromatic complexity across different vintages and styles painted a multifaceted portrait of this identity-driven variety, capable of combining elegance and depth.
In nearly 70 samples, the best expressions of Collio DOC Friulano we selected confirmed how this white wine authentically narrates the “poetry of the land” that gives it life—a balance that thrills with every sip.
Collio DOC Friulano 2016 by Gradis’ciutta showcased the beauty of maturity, with impeccable balance between acidity and gastronomic appeal. Notes of ripe yellow peach and harmonious structure confirm the positive evolution of a wine that retains energy and finesse.
Friulano 2023 by Kurtin, the youngest vintage, offers vibrancy and verticality: the fruit opens toward tropical nuances supported by lively acidity, making it perfect as a characterful aperitif.
Manditocai 2022 by Livon stands out for immediacy and charm: peach pulp emerges clearly, balanced by bright acidity that lends fluidity and freshness to a wine of great harmony.
Russiz Superiore 2022 by Marco Felluga – Russiz Superiore expresses a more mature, gastronomic profile, where structure and acidity integrate perfectly, delivering an elegant and consistent sip.
Closing our Top 5 is Friulano 2024 by Cociancig, defined by beautiful yellow peach fruit, good salinity, and precise acidity: a well-made wine, immediate yet destined to evolve gracefully.
Other Noteworthy Labels from the Tasting:
- Cantina Formentini 2023 impresses with crisp salinity and an elegant citrus finish.
- Ferruccio Sgubin 2024 stands out for substance and drive, with an intriguing smoky accent on the finish hinting at a bright future.
- Kurtin 2024, in a precise, smooth version where pulp and acidity merge into a clean, linear drink.
- Manditocai 2023 by Livon, delivering a Friulano true to tradition: savory, balanced, and beautifully long.
- Among the more evolved vintages, Valeris 2015 by Muzic brings Mediterranean scrub aromas and noble maturity to the glass, to be enjoyed now at its peak expression.
- Tenuta Stella 2023 convinces with acidic nerve and structure, with a subtle chinotto note enriching the finish.
- Tenuta Borgo Conventi 2024 appears fresh and fruity, with acidity still developing, promising excellent results after a year of bottle aging.
From the tasting, one message is clear: Collio DOC Friulano confirms itself as a wine of identity, capable of consistently and flexibly expressing the essence of its terroir. A white that speaks of the light caressing the vineyards, of Ponca preserving the memory of the sea, and of the wind refreshing the clusters. From this synergy arise multiple interpretations, increasingly pursuing balance, elegance, and authenticity.
Friulano remains, indeed, the truest voice of Collio: a wine that encapsulates its soul and history—a sip that turns every glass into a poem of the land.
