Ronchi Di Cialla Ribolla Gialla 2024

Grape: Ribolla Gialla  

Region: Friuli, Italy

Farming: Organic

Ronchi di Cialla is a historic producer in the Collio Orientali del Friuli, just under three miles as the crow flies from the Slovenian border.  Ronchimeans “hills,” and Cialla, the name of the valley comes from the Slovenian word cela which means “riviera.” It was given this name because it had a microclimate similar to the Mediterranean - with olive trees and other Mediterranean plants. When Dina and Paolo founded the estate in 1970, they aimed to focus on native varieties. This was when most producers focused on international varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and others. Granted, many of these had been in the area since the time of Napoleon, but the choice to focus on and revive the local varieties was far ahead of its time. Dina and Paolo’s children Ivan and Pierpaolo grew up at the winery – both in the cellar and the vineyards; throughout their childhood learning from their parents. They each studied entomology in university and continue to do research locally and abroad in the field. Their interest in entomology strengthens and adds extra priority to their quest for as much biodiversity as possible in their vineyards. Their parents had always worked organically though they never sought to obtain certification. Ivan and Pierpaolo have continued in the same tradition, though with a greater focus on biodiversity.