La Roncaia - Friulano 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 4.200 single Guyot-trained vines per hectare. Vinification: the grapes are harvested in late September at full ripeness. Pressing, made on whole grapes, is followed by a slow fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. the wine is racked and left to mature on its fine lees until spring, with constant and regular battonages. In late spring assemblage is made and the cuvèe is allowed to age in steel vats until bottling. La Roncaia Friulano is released to the market only after 6 months of bottle ageing in horizontal position.                                                         

Appearance: deep straw yellow, with gold glints. Nose: redolent of wild-flowers, hay and almond. Palate: smooth, well-balanced; the palate reflects the nose.

Producer: La Roncaia

Country: Italy

Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Varietal: Verduzzo Friulano

Appellation: Ramandolo DOCG

Vintage: 2024

Size: 750ml