I Clivi di Ferdinando Zanusso 'San Pietro' Friulano Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

On the ancient slopes of the Gramogliano Hills, just a stone’s throw from the Slovenian border, Friulano tells a story of resilience and quiet elegance. From vines over 70 years old, I Clivi’s ‘San Pietro’ bottling captures the soul of Friuli in its most essential form: gently aromatic, textural, and mineral-driven. This wine is all about what isn't done—no oak, no manipulation, no rush. Just pristine fruit, handled with reverence. It’s the kind of white that lingers long after the glass is empty, whispering of mountain breezes, sea-kissed soils, and the artistry of letting go.

Product Details

• Grape: 100% Friulano (formerly “Tocai Friulano”)
• Region: Friuli Colli Orientali DOP, Italy
• Vineyard Site: “San Pietro” Vineyard, Gramogliano Hills, Corno di Rosazzo (Province of Udine)
• Soil Type: Ponca (marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin)
• Vine Age: 70 years
• Harvest: Mid-September
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeast, fermented in stainless steel
• Aging: 6 months on fine lees in stainless steel
• Alcohol: 13% ABV
• Residual Sugar: <2 g/L
• Total Production: 15,000 bottles/year
• Farming Practices: Certified Organic, hand-harvested
• SO₂ Use: Minimal (50 mg/L total, well below EU Organic max)
• Filtering: Light filtration only to remove lees cloudiness
  

Sensory Description

A quietly expressive white, this Friulano opens with a subtle herbal lift—think lemon thyme, fresh bay leaf, and chamomile—framed by a whisper of citrus blossom. The palate is elegant and grounded, layering its saline minerality with notes of raw almond and green pear. It’s textured without weight, with a fine line of acidity that keeps it lifted and fresh. Jessica once described it as “drinking mountain air through a silk scarf,” and Jen loves it as a contemplative pour—“the kind of white that doesn’t shout, but absolutely sings.”

Winemaker’s Background

Ferdinando Zanusso founded I Clivi in the 1990s after a 40-year career working in Africa, returning to his wife’s homeland in Friuli with a dream: to tend old vines and make wines of purity. Joined by his son Mario, they became stewards of heritage vineyards on the Slovenian border, working organically and without dogma. Everything is done by hand, from vineyard to bottle, with a philosophy rooted in transparency and restraint. Their winemaking avoids superfluous technique in favor of clarity and precision—an elegant distillation of land and legacy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled but not too cold—around 52–55°F—to allow the texture and savory notes to fully unfold. This is a wine that plays beautifully with vegetable-driven dishes: asparagus risotto, fennel salad, or a simple plate of grilled zucchini with lemon and olive oil. It also shines alongside alpine cheeses or crudo with a dash of citrus. Ideal for spring brunches, thoughtful dinner pairings, or sipping solo with the windows open and a good book.