Via Alpina Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Shaped by the Alpine breezes of Friuli’s northern hills, the 2024 Via Alpina Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli is a strikingly fresh expression of Italy’s most renowned white. Estate-grown on ancient marl and sandstone soils, this wine channels the cool-climate lift and mineral precision that define the Colli Orientali, offering a crystalline, food-flexible style that celebrates both tradition and innovation.

Product Details:

• Soil: Marl and sandstone from the Eocene era
• Vineyard Practices: Dry-farmed, organic, integrated pest management
• Elevation/Climate: Hillside vineyards with large diurnal shift for freshness
• Harvest: Early–mid September; hand and mechanical harvest
• Vinification: De-stemmed, gently pressed; low-temp static decantation; fermented in stainless steel at 16–18 °C with native yeasts
• Aging: 8 months in stainless steel on fine lees with frequent bâtonnage, bottled and cellar-aged before release
• Alcohol: ~12.5%
• Winemaker: Giampaolo Venica

Sensory Description:

Bright yellow with faint pinkish reflections, this Pinot Grigio opens with elegant floral aromas of jasmine and white wisteria, mingling with ripe apricot, melon, and white peach, all accented by subtle balsamic hints. The palate is complex yet harmonious, echoing the nose with layers of citrus and white fruits wrapped in vibrant acidity. Crisp and mineral-driven, the finish is long, fresh, and impeccably balanced, leaving a graceful echo of fruit and flowers.

Winemaker's Background:

Via Alpina is the second label of Giampaolo Venica, fourth-generation winemaker at Venica & Venica, one of Friuli’s most respected family estates. Founded in 1930 by Daniele Venica in Dolegna del Collio, the estate has grown into a mosaic of vineyards, guesthouses, and a wine resort. Today, Giampaolo carries forward the family’s legacy by highlighting Friuli’s diverse microclimates through organically farmed plots, crafting wines that reflect both history and the evolving landscape of the region. Via Alpina embodies this philosophy, offering wines of purity, lift, and authenticity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well-chilled at 12–14 °C in a white wine glass. Its crisp acidity and minerality make it an ideal aperitif and a natural partner to fresh seafood, salmon tartare, roasted white meats, risottos, and vegetable dishes. It also pairs beautifully with fried foods, crunchy greens, cold cuts, and fine pastries.

Fresh, mineral, and effortlessly refined, the 2024 Via Alpina Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli is a quintessential Friulian white that reflects both its Alpine origins and the dedication of the Venica family. It is at once a vibrant aperitif and a versatile food companion, crafted to showcase the enduring success of Pinot Grigio in its ideal habitat.