Wines

Villa Russiz

Capriva del Friuli

Ronco dei Tassi

Winemaker: Gianni Menotti

French-born count Theodore de la Tour and his Austrian countess founded Villa Russiz in 1869 and were the first in the area to plant authentic French rootstock. Following the First World War, Austria relinquished the region to Italy and the now-widowed countess donated the entire estate to the Italian government with the proviso that it would be employed as an orphanage. Many vintages and generations later, this arrangement continues, with today’s profits assisting the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary the Helper in operating the property.

Villa Russiz has been awarded Tre Bicchieri 19 times in 21 editions and Gianni Menotti, Gambero Rosso’s Oenologist of the Year in 2006, has overseen the wines since 1988. The estate’s 40 hectares of southerly exposed vineyards are in the heart of the Collio, close planted on hillside terrain with an average age of 20-30 years. The low-yielding vines provide concentrated mineral rich fruit with layered complexity and texture that allows delicate aromatics to shine through in stylish 100% varietals.

What’s new: Stephen Tanzer not only rated Gianni as one of Italy’s most talented white wine makers, but rated the 2006 line-up as the best from any producer in Italy.

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Wines
2007 Pinot Grigio DOC
2007 Friulano DOC
2007 Ribolla Gialla DOC x 6
2007 Malvasia DOC x 6