In the culturally rich region of Friuli, located between Venice and Triste, below the Julian Alps and above the Adriatic Sea, you can discover the family vineyard of Petrussa, and their impressive selection of Italian wines. Petrussa family vineyards, run by brothers Gianni and Paolo, started three generations ago, and are known within the Friuli region for creating innovative wines with indigenous grape varietals.
Since the reign of Romans viticulture has thrived within the rolling hills of Colli Orientali del Friuli, founded by Julius Caesar. The terroir of this location utterly unique, due to the microclimate and soil, which is comprised of layered sandstone sediment called flysch, creating an abundantly mineral rich environment for vine roots, as well as, excellent drainage. These exceptional environmental factors being the primary reasons why this region is home to some of Italy’s most captivating grape varieties, such as Schioppettino, grown since the 13th century, known for being deep in color, medium bodied, earthy, with violet aromatics somewhat similar to Syrah and Cabernet Franc.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded Schioppettino of Petrussa 91 points, “This is an offbeat wine with a lean, mid-weight performance in the mouth. The first wave of aromas is tarry and resinny. Those dark aromas cede to crushed black pepper, cured tobacco and tilled earth. In the mouth, the wine offers juxtaposed tones of dark sweetness followed by savory smoke. It is aged in large oak casks for two years. Only 6,000 bottles were made. I could imagine a food pairing with a fatty pork dish.” James Suckling noting the Schioppettino for being a fruity wine with a medium body, light tannis slightly firm finish.
Brothers Gianni and Paolo, whose grandfather started the vineyards at Petrussa.
Overall Petrussa works with 8 various varieties of grapes: Scioppettino, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Bianco, Verduzzo, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon. Of the latter varietal, Wine Enthusiast proclaimed, “This luminous wine is redolent of exotic fruit. Petrussa delivers a great drinking experience thanks to the lively aromatics and natural freshness of its crisp Sauvignon.”
Chardonnay on the vines at Petrussa's vineyards.
To perfectly pair Petrussa’s wonderful wines, we recommend incorporating regional recipes from the region, which include Italian, Germanic and Slavic influences. For their white wines, homemade pasta in a cream sauce with clams, savory Spaetzle or buckwheat noodles with mushrooms, as well as fresh fish. For their robust red wines, grilled meats, sausages, locally cured Prosciutto San Daniele. If you feel a craving for dessert, we suggest a creamy, chocolatey Tiramisu or warm apple strudel.
To experience this rich region of Italy and go wine-tasting at our favorite wineries, join our TINTO Travel Tour today!
Want to travel in a bottle: Buy various Petrussa wines below!
Petrussa Friulano DOC 2017
Colli Orientali di Friuli, FVG, Italy
$41.18
Friulano is often uniquely high pitched and vibrant, lean, crunchy, dry, herbaceous and often mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc. This sustainably produced wine is no exception. The nose is rich with florals and bee pollen. The palate immediately stimulates your tastebuds and makes your mouth water. It is smooth, viscous and juicy, It has a lengthy finish of lemony brightness. It's great with salads and roasted green vegetables. It's one of the few wines that can stand up to challenging pairings like green beans, artichokes, cabbage and brussels sprouts.
Petrussa Pinot Bianco Friuli DOC 2017
Colli Orientali di Friuli, FVG, Italy
$41.18
From low yielding vineyards at Prepotto, a stone's throw away from the Slovenian border, this sustainably produced Pinot Bianco offers full and ripe aromas of greengage, kiwi, pear and lime. It has a nutty and silky finish. This wine is best suited to foods with more subtle flavoring. It will match up beautifully with soft cheeses, salads with creamy dressings and flaky fish.
Petrussa Ribolla Gialla Trevenezie IGT 2017
Colli Orientali di Friuli, FVG, Italy
$41.18
Ribolla Gialla is an ancient white varietal from northern Italy, bordering Slovenia. It is rarely seen anywhere else. This sustainably farmed wine is light in body and offers fruity, floral aromas and bright acidity. It's acidity makes it great with deep fried seafood dishes, lemon caper veal piccata, fresh salads or mussels in a white wine garlic sauce.
Petrussa Sauvignon Blanc Friuli DOC 2017
Colli Orientali di Friuli, FVG, Italy
$41.18
Fresh and fragrant, this sustainably farmed Sauvignon Blanc pours a straw yellow color with some greenish hues. It is very expressive of its varietal with notes of lime, grapefruit and white peaches that are accented by aromatic herbs. It is fresh and rich with great intensity. Sauvignon Blanc pairs great with herb driven sauces over chick, tofu or fish dishes. It is beautiful against feta or chèvre, or paired with herb driven Asian flavors like Thai or Vietnamese cuisine.
Petrussa Schioppettino Prepotto DOCG 2016
Colli Orientali di Friuli, FVG, Italy
$64.71
This wine is 100% Schioppettino, sustainably farmed and aged for 18 months in new French barriques. Schioppettino is a dark skinned grape variety that is native to Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This wine pours an intense ruby red and gives off aromas of minerals, small red fruits, sweet spices and dried flowers. The palate is intense and full bodied with fine tannins. This wine is fresh and savory. It can be paired against all types of food, Italian food in particular. Think gamey meat stews with peppers or green herbed roasted chickens.
Petrussa 'Pensiero' FVG IGT 2017 (375mL)
Colli Orientali di Friuli, FVG, Italy
$58.82
100% Verduzzo, unique to this region, aged for 24 months in French barriques on lees, this passion dessert wine is an elegant after dinner sipper. The grapes are harvested by hand, and a portion will develop botrytis (noble rot), which intensifies the wine's flavors. The wine has a beautiful honeyed sweetness with hints of dried fruit. The sweetness is well balanced by the prominent tannin that is so characteristic of the Verduzzo varietal. Delicious with biscottis, pastries and nutty desserts; try it with baklava and nut roll.