Vigna Traverso

Vigna Traverso’s History and Philosophy

The two most renowned wine-growing areas of Friuli are located between Udine and Gorizia (which borders Slovenia with the east ). In the common imagination, excellent white wines are expected from the Colli Orientali del Friuli , while the best red wines are produced in other areas of Friuli ( Buttrio , Premariacco , Oleis , Manzano , Corno di Rosazzo ). Gorizia , Collio DOC , however, even if it includes some red wines, is normally considered an area essentially for classy white wines.

This schematization is too clear, especially as regards the wines of Prepotto , located on the eastern edge of the denomination of the Colli Orientali . Here the vines seem to be part of an area suited to red wines and also fall into the areas most west of the Collio DOC , from where excellent white wines originate. The town and its vineyards, in fact, border on the east with Dolegnano and Ruttars , two prominent places for white wine, and on the west with Spessa and Corno di Rosazzo , appreciated for their reds. The Vigna Traverso estate extends between the two wine souls of Prepotto.

The wines of Vigna Traverso

Giancarlo Traverso is an expert winemaker who for many decades managed the Venetian estate of his wife, Ornella Molon . Together they also paid close attention to the vineyards and wines of Prepotto , where a wide range of both red and white grapes are grown. The latter grown in soils with a lot of rock to give more flavor and aromas to the wines, while the reds benefit from the characteristics of the local soil, called “ponca”. The choice is vast and the house produces Refosco and Schioppettino di Prepotto for red lovers, Ribolla Gialla Friulano , Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio for those who prefer whites. The two main selections, theSottocastello Bianco ( Chardonnay and Sauvignon ) and the Sottocastello Rosso (all Merlot ), unreservedly show the best of what Prepotto can offer.