REGION: Friuli

The estate vines are planted on hillsides at altitudes ranging from 400-600 feet, using the laborious terracing method (ronchi) to expose plants and grapes to the maximum amount of sunlight and ensure optimal drainage.

Oscar Sturm, with sons Patrick and Denis, operate 10 ha in and around Zegla, the most prestigious cru in Collio, Friuli. With its mineral-rich ‘Ponca’ soil and steady wind pulled from the Adriatic and Alps, the land here imbues both native and international varieties with laser purity.

With six hectares of vineyards in the Carso, Paolo Vodopivec works solely with the local Vitovska variety. He works organically and employs extended skin contact during fermentation. Stainless steel is never used, and each wine sees years of aging in amphorae, barrel and bottle before release.

In the cellar, Benjamin uses an old basket press, and he keeps his white wines in contact with their skins for a few weeks during fermentation (which always occurs spontaneously). Running through all of Zidarich’s wines is a driving, dancing, powerful yet balletic minerality—an essence of pure stone