Sant' Elena Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Creamy golden apple, lemon peel, and a quiet bread-crust note open 2020 Sant' Elena Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo with both softness and lift. Shaped around patient lees work rather than overt oak, it’s a Chardonnay that leans into texture while keeping its lines clean and savory. In a year marked by bright natural acidity and aromatic promise for Friuli whites, Sant' Elena’s steady stewardship and detail-driven farming show clearly in the wine’s balance and composure.

Product Details:

• Owner: Dominic Nocerino
• Winemaker: Vincenzo Mercurio
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2020
• ABV: 13%
• Grape Sourcing: Estate vineyards
• Farming Practices: Organic (BIO); permanent ground cover, cover-crop plantings, natural fertilizers only, no herbicides, reduced soil disturbance, and non-polluting pest management
• Soils: Stony alluvial soils with low organic matter
• Yield: Approximately one bottle per vine
• Harvest: Hand-harvested
• Pre-fermentation: Cryo-maceration in a CO₂-saturated environment
• Fermentation Vessel: Stainless steel
• Yeast: Selected yeasts
• Aging: Approximately 8 months on fine lees in stainless steel
• Barrel Aging: None stated; élevage conducted entirely in stainless steel
• Bottle Aging: Held a minimum of 8 months before release

Sensory Description:
Aromatics lean toward ripe apple and pear with a bright lemon-skin edge, backed by white blossoms and a subtle bread-crust nuance derived from lees contact rather than oak. The palate is medium-bodied and gently creamy, carrying flavors of yellow apple, citrus oil, and a faint almond-like savor before tightening into a clean, mineral-driven finish. This Chardonnay favors precision over richness, and the 2020 vintage plays a clear role, delivering elevated acidity and aromatic clarity that sharpen structure while preserving textural depth, a hallmark of the year for white wines from the area.

Producer’s Background:
Founded in 1893, Sant' Elena is a historic estate whose modern chapter has been shaped by owner Dominic Nocerino, whose long-term vision has focused on vineyard health and technical refinement. Since 2015, winemaker Vincenzo Mercurio has guided the winery’s enological direction, emphasizing organic farming, restrained cellar techniques, and a terroir-first philosophy that prioritizes balance, definition, and drinkability.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve well chilled, around 52–54°F, in a medium to broad white wine glass to highlight both aromatic detail and lees-derived texture. Pair with seafood risotto, seared scallops, roast chicken, or simply prepared fish; the wine’s creamy mid-palate handles richness while its acidity keeps the finish lifted and precise.