La Roncaia Refosco 2003
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La Roncaia was founded in 1998 when the Fantinel family acquired the winery, located in Friuli Colli Orientali, to create a boutique winery able to produce top-quality wines. The philosophy of La Roncaia is to express the uniqueness of Colli Orientali del Friuli terroir, always aiming for the best. The passionate team is guided by the young and talented winemaker, Gabriele Tami, who has received numerous awards and acknowledgements, including the title “Wine Master.” This title was given when La Roncaia was named as one of the top 100 wineries in the world by The Drinks Business in 2020.
Located in the northern part of the DOC area, the winery is located in the hills of Ramandolo, Nimis, Attimis, and Tarcento. The ideal position for vines, the winery is protected by the Julian Alps from the cold north wind and gently caressed by a sweet breeze brought from the Adriatic Sea. The marl and sandstone soil of the gently rolling hills are terraced to provide an ideal habitat for viticulture.
La Roncaia vineyards are highly selected hectares nurtured by a passionate and loving team who cherish this “crown jewel” of the Fantinel family.
After growing in the Friuli region of NE Italy for the last 2,000 years, Refosco has adapted to both the region’s hillside vineyards and flatter plains. Hardy enough to withstand any tumultuous fall weather, Refosco finishes ripening relatively late in the season; its intense fruit and aromatics require the time. Interestingly Refosco is related to the Teroldego grape of Trentino through their common parent grape, Marzemino. Somm Secret—It was documented in 1390 that Refosco was the favorite wine of Augustus Caesar’s second wife, Livia.
Viticulture has thrived in Colli Orientali del Friuli since the reign of ancient Rome and today its verdant, rolling hills support a long list of autochthonous varieties, each playing a unique and important role in the modern Colli Orientali wine scene.
The region is primarily recognized for its white wines. Its indigenous varieties of Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo, Picolit and perhaps most importantly, Friulano are made into single varietal wines or blended, and often blended with the international varieties of Sauvignon blanc, Pinot grigio and Pinot bianco. The latter have been flourishing in the area since the 1800s. But it wasn’t until the 1970s when producers started using cold fermentation techniques to produce fresh, fruity, crisp and aromatic whites that this area began to attract international attention.
While reds only make up about a third of the area under vine, Colli Orientali is home to some of Italy’s most exciting and rare red wines. Refosco, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe and Pignolo are among the autochthonous varieties while Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir also have a stronghold.
Colli Orientali holds much in common with its neighbor, Collio; the only thing dividing them is a political line. Both are influenced by the cooling effects of the Julian Alps and moderated by the Adriatic Sea. A unique soil of alternating marine layers called flysch also dominates Colli Orientali, providing a mineral-rich environment for vine roots and optimal water drainage.