Giorgio Nicolini

Muggia (TS) - FRIULI VENEZIA-GIULIA

Giorgio Nicolini is a small family vineyard, run in accordance with old traditions inherited from grandparents. Much of their effort is devoted to replanting old native varieties, which are now almost completely gone, using the original 100-year clones from their vineyard.

Two hectares of vines are situated on the hills above the town of Muggia, an old Venetian colony on the outskirts of Trieste. The vineyard is hemmed by the Gulf of Trieste and the Slovenian and Croatian borders, which are only steps away. The vines are between 20 and 30 years old and grow manly in clay soil with marine sediments.

The wines have a unique flavour, reflecting the natural characteristics of the region, including the soil, the altitude and the climate created by the intersection of Alpine and Mediterranean air. The main white grape here is Malvasia Istriana, introduced into the area by Venetian merchants, who brought cuttings from Greece. Other dominant varieties are Vitovska, Moscato Giallo (white grapes) and Refosco (red grapes).

Treatments in the vineyard are kept to minimum. No systemics are used. The same approach is followed in the tiny cellar. Wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, there is no filtration and only a small amount of sulphur dioxide is added.

The wines are great expressions of place, history and the family who makes them.