Altùris

The Friuli term “altùris” defines a slightly elevated terrain within its surroundings, which describes the unique geography of the vineyard located in the (DOC) Friuli Colli Orientali area. Specifically located in the heart of Cividale del Friuli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this region is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly landscapes and is home to the Altùris winery. Though founded only in 2009, the winery is steeped in a rich history of winemaking, carried forward by three generations of vintners in the Zorzettig family who craft wines that reflect the diverse flavors of their land.

Marco and Massimo Zorzettig’s mission at Alturis is to offer honest and approachable expressions of their Friuli terroir. Cividale is borderland: the hills and mountains meet the plains here, and the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC meets the Friuli Grave DOC. The Adriatic is less than 25 miles distant, and the border with Slovenia is but a walk away. The combination of these influences create a very unique expression of Italian terroir: while Friuli wines represent only 3% of Italy’s total DOC production, their uniqueness gives them an outsized importance in the world of Italian enology: weighty, mineral-rich wines of both continental and Mediterranean influence that always entice the drinker for another glass. 

The winery itself is a model of modern winemaking, combining a commitment to sustainability with state-of-the-art technology. This allows them to produce a balanced selection of wines, with 70% dedicated to whites and 30% to reds. Each bottle embodies the family’s dedication to quality, from the meticulous cultivation of the grapes to the refined production process. Total production is 40,000 cases from 60 hectares under vine between the two appellations of Colli Orientali and Friuli Grave.