La Roncaia Eclisse Colli Orientali del Friuli 2024

Founded in 1998, La Roncaia is the boutique estate and “crown jewel” of the Fantinel family, whose winemaking history in Friuli spans three generations. The winery lies in Cergneu di Nimis, among the rolling hills and wooded terraces of the Friuli Colli Orientali DOC—an area also renowned for the distinctive Ramandolo and Picolit DOCG wines.

La Roncaia’s 22 hectares of vineyards sit approximately 250 meters above sea level, where cooling breezes and soils of ancient Eocene marl and sandstone create ideal conditions for viticulture. The estate cultivates both indigenous varieties—including Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Picolit, Verduzzo Friulano, and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso—and international grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

Under winemaker Gabriele Tami, grapes are harvested and selected by hand, with each variety handled according to its character. Controlled-temperature fermentations preserve the aromatic detail of the whites, while long macerations and aging in French oak bring depth and structure to the reds. Select grapes are dried to concentrate flavor for the estate’s celebrated passito wines. The resulting collection ranges from elegant, expressive whites to powerful reds and richly textured sweet wines, all shaped by the distinctive landscape and traditions of Friuli’s eastern hills.

Soil and vineyard: marly soil of Eocene origin. The vineyard is planted with 3.200-4.000 single Guyot-trained vines per hectare.                                                                          Vinification: each vine is harvested in order to reach a perfect maturation. Pressing is made on whole grapes. Fermentation occurs separately for each grape variety, part in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats and part in Allier oak barriques. The long contact with fine lees allows to produce a wine with great extract and aromatic complexity.

Once assembled, “Eclisse” cuvèe further ages in temperature-controlled steel vats until bottling. Then, the wine ages in horizontally placed bottles to reach its perfect evolution.

Appearance: deep straw-yellow.                                                                                            Nose: a heady smell joining Sauvignon elegant aromaticness and Picolit fruit complex richness; green scents, perfumes of wild flowers and white pulp fruits, such as peach, merge in a fascinating fragrance.                                                                                          Palate: freshness and minerality combine with a good smoothness, in a body showing harmony, big depth and persistence

Producer: La Roncaia

Country: Italy

Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Varietal: Sauvignon

Appellation: Venezia Giulia IGT

Vintage: 2024

Size: 750ml