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

Sunlight shimmers in the glass with pale golden clarity as the 2020 Sant'Elena Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo opens in waves of ripe tropical fruit and cool alpine restraint. A biodynamic bottling that straddles opulence and mineral tension, this Chardonnay dances between creaminess and cut, papaya and stone, peaches and hazelnut, framing a portrait of balance drawn from Isonzo’s gravelly soils and crisp northern air.

Product Details:

• Owner/ Winemaker: Dominic Nocerino
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13%
• Closure: Cork
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic

Sensory Description:

This Chardonnay unfurls with aromas of papaya, white peach, and sweet cream, underpinned by alpine freshness. A line of acidity gives structure and clarity, while subtle notes of hazelnut and wet stone build a savory finish. Both supple and vivid, the wine carries weight without heaviness, lingering on the palate with poise and quiet persistence.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded by the Klodic family in the late 1800s, Sant'Elena has long occupied a prime stretch of Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s viticultural heart. Its renaissance came in the mid-1990s, when renowned importer Dominic Nocerino acquired the estate with the vision of refining the Isonzo terroir’s expression. Through careful farming and minimalist winemaking, Sant’Elena now produces wines that elevate the region’s native energy and international potential with every bottling.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 52–55°F. This Chardonnay complements a range of dishes, from grilled chicken and pork chops to pan-seared scallops and vegetable risottos. Its creamy texture and clean finish make it especially suited to cream sauces, sautéed zucchini, and spiced vegetarian fare.

With graceful texture and aromatic lift, the 2020 Sant'Elena Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo delivers a nuanced, biodynamic expression of place, refined, inviting, and ready to shine on any table.