Friuli-Venezia Giulia Wine Guide: Grapes, Appellations & Producers

Border hills of white

Soil: 'Ponca' — marl and sandstone layers on cool hills against Slovenia.
Style: Some of Italy's purest, most precise whites — and benchmark orange wines.
Top sites: Collio (Goriziano) DOC; Oslavia for skin-contact wines.
Vintages: 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
Producers: Mario Schiopetto

Tip · Oslavia, in Collio, is the cradle of modern 'orange wine' — whites fermented on their skins for amber colour and grip.

Value pick

Marco Felluga Collio Pinot Grigio 'Mongris' · ~$22

Proof Pinot Grigio can have substance — textured and mineral from a Collio stalwart.

Collector pick

Gravner 'Ribolla Gialla' Anfora · ~$120 · 2015

The amphora-aged 'orange wine' that launched a global movement — rare and collected.

Eastern hills

Tip · Friuli is widely regarded as Italy's finest dry-white region — think purity, texture and varietal clarity.

Value pick

Bastianich 'Vespa Bianco' · ~$30

A rich, barrel-touched Friulano-based blend from a benchmark estate — white-wine seriousness for the money.

Collector pick

Miani 'Friulano' · ~$200 · 2019

Tiny-production, cult Friulano from Enzo Pontoni — among Italy's most sought-after whites.