Friuli-Venezia Giulia
JUNE 2025
Conte d'Attimis-Maniago • Fruili Colli Orientali
Located in northeastern Italy, the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia borders the Austrian Alps to the north, Slovenia to the east, the Italian region of Veneto to the west, and the Adriatic Sea to the south. What a combo! This geography gives Friuli some elevation, warmth (but good cooling at night), breeziness, and moisture with 60 inches of rainfall annually. (Seattle has 40!!) And then the soils – marl & sandstone in the hilly regions closer to the mountains (where your wines come from) and clay, sand and gravel soils as you near the sea.
Azienda Agricola Zorzettig • Fruili Colli Orientali
For a region you may have never heard of, Friuli makes world-class white wines, both from indigenous grapes (Ribolla Gialla & Friulano) and international varietals such as Chardonnay. 75% of their production is white, but don't overlook their delicious, minerally reds. Native varieties like Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso & Schioppettino thrive as do international grapes like Pinot Nero.
Your club includes 3 excellent selections from Friuli including a Ribolla Gialla and two reds perfect for summer weather: Refosco & Pinot Nero. Hope you enjoy. We are delighted with this month's club.
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Azienda Agricola Tiare
Friuli Collio Goriziano
Roberto Snidarcig together with his wife Sandra (pictured) founded this estate in 1985, growing it to 10 hectares of vineyards on both sides of the Collio/Isonzo border – Collio DOC to the north (marly soils made for growing whites) and the Isonzo DOC (with gravely soils perfect for growing red grapes). They enjoy a good range between their daily high and low temperatures, allowing for a longer ripening time for the grapes. They describe their land as being "in a unique position between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, which are just about 40 miles apart."
Fun fact: Their winery sits 200 ft from the border to Slovenia
Tiare 2022 Collio Ribolla Gialla • Friuli, Italy • Reg $33.99 | Mixed Case $27.19
100% Ribolla Gialla from clayey-silt soils. Aged on the lees for 5 months. Jasmine, green apples, minerals (sandstone) on the nose. Flavors add in citrus and savory, baked apple. Lighter in body. Great, almost effervescent acidity. Pretty complex with a crazy-fun, minerally, sea-breezy finish. After 30 min open, wine is more medium-bodied adding in flavors of white peach and tangerine. Wonderful. Drink now to 2 years. Enjoy with seafood, summer pasta dishes, and baked chicken with asparagus.
Azienda Agricola Zorzettig
Friuli Collio Orientali
About 10 minutes north of Tiare (and about 3 kms west of the Slovenian border) is Zorzettig. Pictured above are the vineyard managers – Maximum & Antonio. Here's what 3rd generation owner Annalisa Zorzettig (pictured below) has to say about her winery:
01. WE ARE FRIULIANS
Growing up in an uncontaminated environment, in a region nestled between the sea and the mountains, where the language and cuisine are deeply rooted. Friuli is made up of hard-working people, shyness, woods, hills and rivers. And we want to bring this Friulian to the world.
02. WE SEEK PURITY AND IDENTITY
We like to look for the identity in each bottle, bringing out the fruit and the territory. An attitude that represents us: those who come to the cellar meet authentic winemakers.
03. WE PUT OUR HEART INTO IT
We take responsibility for our actions and their impact. Zorzettig is our family, our history, our future. This is why we put all our effort and passion into it: our heart.
Located in the rolling hills of Friuli Orientali, the vineyards are made up of ponca – marine sediment full of minerals & nutrients (pictured below). The vines dig deep and find what they need, requiring little irrigation. The climate is mild with ocean breezes from the Adriatic mitigating the cold air currents from the Alps. It's a special microclimate, and the local grapes thrive.
Zorzettig 2021 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso • Friuli, Italy • Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
100% Refosco. Soft nose of plums, red fruit, a little spice, earth. Pleasantly bitter note on the finish that makes you want more. Lighter in body. 13% alcohol. Serve slightly chilled in summer. Terrific wine. Drink now to 1 year. Enjoy with salumi, salmon, pasta dishes & more.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Conte d'Attimis-Maniago
Fruili Colli Orientali
This estate (with 110 hectares of vineyards) belongs to a noble family who received the property in 1585 as a dowry for marriage. "In the words of the current owner, Count Alberto: Our relationship with the vine and the vineyard is a family union which has lasted over 400 years."
In addition to international grapes, the estate proudly produces Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia, Picolit, Verduzzo Friulano, Pignolo, Schioppettino, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and Tazzelenghe.
Conte D'Attimis-Maniago 2021 Pinot Nero • Friuli, Italy • Reg $29.99 | Mixed Case $23.99
100% Pinot Nero = Pinot Noir. Crazy-interesting nose of juniper berries (sort of a forest berry jam), raspberries, and earth (from the sea). Flavors of raspberries, tagberries, red plums, a little black tea on the finish with a seashell minerality. Really fun, interesting wine. Wonderful sipper (after a couple hours open!!) and great with dinner: salmon, halibut, tuna to a leaner cut of steak off the grill. Winery says to enjoy with a pork tenderloin with orange & rosemary. Drink now to 1 year.
Azienda Agricola Zorzettig • Fruili Colli Orientali
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Hope you can join us to taste and learn about your wines! It's fun to go exploring in Italy, and this month is just that!
As well, you'll be able to taste the Portalis EXPLORES club wines. June theme is BBQ Wines, showcasing a Provence rosé & an old vine Zinfandel.
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).