Capriva del Friuli
Province of Gorizia
Established: 1869
Owner: Istituto A. Cerruti
Winemaker: Gianni Menotti
Production: 220,000 bottles
Hectares under vine: 35
Viticulture: Conventional
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 21 times 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. Now firmly established as one of the leading estates in Friuli, their outstanding range has propelled them to be ranked amongst the very best in Italy.
Wines
Pinot Grigio DOC
Friulano DOC
Ribolla Gialla DOC
Malvasia DOC