I have been carrying meaning to write about this winery, RoncSoreli, for over a year I tasted their wines last February at Vino 2017 in New York. I met a lovely woman at the stand who told me all about the area of Prepotto in Friuli Venezia Giulia. It’s famous for its Schioppettino, a red indigenous variety from the region that I like a lot. The one in the picture is a Schioppettino DOC Friuli Colli Orientali but they also make another labelled Schioppettino di Prepotto.

Schioppettino is a clone Ribolla Nera. It was included in the Friuli Colli Orientali DOC in 2008. It’s history includes a period of time in which it was outlawed. Some smart producers brought it back and the town of Prepotto created a stir in support of growing this variety.

RoncSoreli means a sunny hill in Friuli’s dialect has been in existence since 2008. The winery is in Borgo di Novacuzzo, near the town of Cividale and the border with neighboring Slovenia,They have a 72 hectare estate, some 42 of which are planted with vines. The vineyards are surrounded by crops and forests so the environment is one of biodiversity. There is a river nearby, the Judrio river, which contributes to this a very special microclimate. The forest nearby is called the Bosco Romagno Nature Reserve. The soils are marl with Ponca.

They make numerous wines from indigenous varieties such as Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio Ramato, Friulano, Schioppettino and Picolit as well as international varieties.

That day I was tasting Pinot Grigo and Schioppettino. I loved both. Schioppettino is a very interesting wine that doesn’t get the attention I think it should. Theirs was ruby red, with pepper and spice, black fruit and herbaceous notes. The tannins were soft and velvety. This red also shows minerality and acidity which I favor, even in red wines.

I’d love to try more wines from this producer, Prepotto, and this area. Maybe at Vinitaly I’ll get a chance.