Skip to main content

Author: Wine Restor

Il Friulano delle Cime

Tale of a Stellar Tasting

 

 

 

 

The testimony of 30 years in 12 vintages

 

 

Ornella Venica | Dolegna del Collio | 04.06.2019

 

My acquaintance with Gianluca Castellano dates back to 30 April 2019 when he proposed, calling me strictly Lei, a vertical tasting of 8-10 vintages of "Ronco delle Cime" Friulano for the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italian Sommelier Association magazine "Il Mangiavino".

The contacts continue and formality turns into friendship. The date of the tasting was set, 4 June 2019, as were all the organisational details including the identification of the participants: Renzo Zorzi, AIS FVG Delegate and author of the texts, Fabrice Gallina, photographer of the reportage and, of course, Gianluca Castellano, sommelier and conductor of the intriguing tasting of 12 vintages selected over a 30-year period, from 1989 to 2018. Even today when I think of that tasting I still get chills!!!

Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica
Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica _Photo ©Carola Nitsch

LA VALUTAZIONE DELLE 12 ANNATE IN DEGUSTAZIONE | RONCO DELLE CIME, FRIULANO

 

Dall’articolo “IL FRIULANO DELLE CIME” pubblicato in MANGIAVINO n.21, la rivista dell’Associazione Italiana Sommelier del Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

>>> Leggete l’intero Articolo

LEGGI L'INTERO ARTICOLO

MangiaVino n21 | Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica
Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica
MangiaVino n21 | Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica

In casa Venica non era mai stata organizzata una degustazione spinta ad una così grande profondità.

 

La famiglia Venica alle 10 del mattino fa l’ingresso nella sala di degustazione al gran completo. Siamo tutti elettrizzati, in primis mio cognato Giorgio, maestro di cantina: i vini sono il risultato del suo grande impegno quotidiano, sia in vigneto che in cantina. E’ quasi maniacale nel seguire i dettagli; i vini sono tutti figli suoi.

Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica

Mio marito Gianni, il capofamiglia, sovraintende tutte le attività e stimola i componenti della famiglia a migliorare, a raggiungere nuovi traguardi, e gioisce dei nostri risultati.

Entrano poi in scena i ragazzi, Giampaolo, Marta e Serena, che con rispetto si apprestano a partecipare ad un evento straordinario. In casa Venica non era mai stata organizzata una degustazione spinta ad una così grande profondità.

Con un po’ di ritardo arriva anche Carola Nitsch: architetto e fotografa che giorno dopo giorno fissa, con i suoi scatti e i reportage sui nostri profili social, la vita quotidiana della Venica&Venica.

Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica

 Mario Soldati: “il vino è la poesia della terra

Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica _Photo ©Carola Nitsch
Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica

My role is limited to recounting the emotions arising from the uncorking of each vintage ...

... to the 1989 production.

The bottle is opened in religious silence and Giorgio gets tears in his eyes when that nectar is poured...

We can well quote the words of Mario Soldati: 'wine is the poetry of the earth'.

Friulano Ronco delle Cime DOC Collio | Degustazione di 12 annate | Venica & Venica

Tutte le immagini della degustazione del “Friulano delle Cime”:

Home wine delivery

Home wine delivery | From the Vineyard directly to your home!

Dolegna del Collio | April 2020

 

We hope you are all well!

At Venica we are all well, working at full pace in the vineyard: nature around us goes on with its regular cycle.

These are unusual days, but in the cellar we are operational and our doors remain virtually open for you.

 

In fact, we have recently finished bottling the latest vintage and, in the hope of doing something pleasing, we would like to inform you that we are active with home wine deliveries to keep you company during this difficult time and to remember the good times spent together here with us!

 

The 2019 vintage, by the way, gave us excellent wines: full-bodied, structured, with a nice mineral vein, fresh and with a good aromatic imprint. These characteristics were the result of a mild winter, followed by an unusually cool and rainy May, which delayed the flowering of the grapes. In a very hot summer, providential thunderstorms at the end of July rebalanced the water ratio of the vines, allowing us to harvest healthy, perfectly ripe grapes in September.

 

While we look forward to welcoming you back here in the winery for a tasting or in the greenery of our Wine Resort, we remain close to you with a warm toast from afar!

 

Also, to keep you up to date with our news, you can subscribe, if you like, to our NEWSLETTER.

 

Cordial greetings

Gianni & Giorgio Venica and all Venica&Venica Staff

 

Home wine delivery | For information or home wine orders:

 

Contact us by email >> info@venica.it or ordini@venica.it

Or if you need information call us >> Tel. (+39) 0481 61264

TV interview: Wine sector at the time of Covid-19

UDINESE TV: #IORESTOINCUCINA

 

Guests of the 09/04/2020 episode on UDINESE TV channel:

 

Ornella Lauzzana Venica (Società Agricola Venica&Venica),

Matteo Livon (Azienda Agricola Livon)

Chef Ivan Bombieri (La Taverna di Colloredo di Monte Albano)

Chef Martino Scarpa (Osteria Ai Do Campanili in Cavallino-Treporti).

 

A careful analysis of the dramatic situation that is also affecting the wine world at the moment. Live, our Ornella Lauzzana Venica and Matteo Livon of the LIVON company.

The #Coronavirus emergency is forcing us all to stay at home and restaurants to remain closed. Until it is possible to get back together without taking risks or making others take them.

This is the reason for all cooks to stay at home, away from plates and brigade: thus turning our #iorestoacasa into #iorestoincucina. In the hope that they may soon return to restaurants to once again pamper our palates with their creations ... paired, of course, with a good bottle of wine!!!

WineNews: A story of resistance to hardship

WineNews: Venica & Venica, 90 years to celebrate by looking back on a history that smacks of resistance to difficulties.

 

The winery, the pearl of Collio, founded in 1930, "when grandfather Daniele's debt doubled due to deflation. But holding on was the trump card".

 

WineNews | 06.04.2020: 'The debt that our grandfather Daniele Venica contracted then, to found the winery, doubled due to deflation. Holding on, then, as now, was the trump card. Despite the initial very serious difficulties, the company prospered'. These are the words of Gianni Venica, at the helm, with his brother Giorgio, of the Venica & Venica winery, the pearl of Collio Goriziano and Friuli Venezia Giulia wine, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in this year 2020. A story, in its own way, of resistance to adversity, which it is easy, albeit in totally different circumstances, to parallel in the midst of the Covid emergency, hoping that this story, beautiful as so many are in the world of Italian wine, may be of inspiration and comfort.

The winery (today's main building) was purchased by the founder, Daniele Venica, who made it known throughout the region. A story born, just as it is today, in the difficult years between the two wars: in 1930 the historical and social situation was not the most serene with the strong world economic depression. For the 90th anniversary celebration, with the third generation at the helm, therefore, everything is only postponed: "when we get over the current emergency, we will make a big toast not only for our 90 years but also for Italy, looking at the rebirth," they explain in the company, where today 24 people work, including 7 family members, for a production of 300,000 bottles a year.

And which, in the meantime, celebrates in its own way, with its Sauvignon Blanc Ronco del Cerò Collio 2017, included among the 15 wines to drink to alleviate quarantine, according to 'Forbes' (which, for Italy, has also selected Fattoria Moretto's Lambrusco Monovitigno 2015, Tiberio's Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2017, G.D. Vajra's Langhe Nebbiolo 'Clare J.C.', and Arianna Occhipinti's Il Frappato 2017).

 

Copyright WineNews © 2000/2020  | ©Venica & Venica

FORBES: RONCO DEL CERO'

RONCO DEL CERO' - One of the best wines to get through quarantine

 

Venica & Venica is honoured to have been listed by FORBES as one of the best 15 wines to drink... to make the most of this period of self-isolation!

 

Victoria James, beverage director of the Michelin-starred restaurant "Cote" in New York City and author of 'Wine Girl,' recommends in an article published in FORBES our "RONCO DEL CERO'", Sauvignon 2017 DOC Collio and says:

"In the far northeast of Italy in the Friuli region, the Venica & Venica winery is located just a stone's throw from the Slovenian border. Ronco del Cerò is the name of the hill where Giampaolo Venica's great-grandfather first planted Sauvignon Blanc vines,' says James. "For me, the wine always tastes similar to Sancerre and the Californian examples. But it has more weight and tropical notes. Giampaolo ferments the wine on his yeasts which gives it a kind of softness on the palate and extra flavour. It is my favourite to drink with polenta, but it is also great with poultry, pork and pasta with clams and olive oil."

 

 

 

INSIEME ... facing a common enemy!!!

At this very difficult time, it is very close to our hearts to turn our minds back to a symbolic wine: our 'INSIEME' Merlot 2001. A symbol for us of the partnership between West and East in 2011 after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

And once again #together to face a common enemy!!!

And that is why we heartily share the thought of @OpenBottle_Italy addressed to our "TOGETHER" Merlot 2001:

 

"At a time of great difficulty, uncertainty and concern it is vital to turn to determined hope. East and West once again #together to face a common enemy. Two sides of the same coin, once again called upon to support each other. The mind then returns to the wine that symbolises this partnership, Insieme 2001 Merlot by Venica & Venica.

It took 10 years to make this wine, an extremely rare Merlot pride of a great white wine cellar, an oenological jewel reserved for a few and put on the market on a one-off basis.

Wine is also and above all this, a symbol of unity, brotherhood, closeness and conviviality; not subject to geographical or socio-economic barriers. Now more than ever, let us think about when we can all sit around a table again and joyfully share this bottle, a symbol of strength, hope, rebirth and pride.

Stay home, stay strong.

We will come back stronger than before Italy'

Thanks again to Filippo Toson @OpenBottle_Italy !!!

#iorestoacasa #friuliveneziagiulia #merlot #Insieme #Venica #wineislife #hope #staystrong #friends #together

Insieme Merlot 2001 di Venica & Venica

Wine News : Venica & Venica, aid for earthquake-stricken Japan

 

The story of our INSIEME Merlot 2001 and the solidarity project told by Ornella Venica in this short interview on WineNewsTV:

A red sun on a white field: that's the flag of Japan. And then a big red from a 'white' winery to make a contribution to the country hit by the tsunami. The idea of Venica & Venica, one of the most important names in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Here is the merlot 'Insieme 2001', grown in the vineyard of the famous Perilla and cared for for ten years, to a charity fund for Japan.

Messaggero Veneto: Venica & Venica celebrates 90 years of the company

The Venica family is happy to share with you the excitement of our (first) 90 years, described in this article in the Messaggero Veneto:

 

Venica & Venica celebrates 90 years of the 'Wine and Sustainability' company

 

"Udine. The deed bears the date 6 February 1930 and is jealously guarded in the family archives. On that day, a young sharecropper from Collio, Daniele Venica, took the decisive step of his life, which also determined the lives of the generations that came after. He signed the preliminary purchase agreement for a farmhouse in Cero', a locality in the municipality of Dolegna, and the surrounding vineyards.
So it is exactly 90 years of the Venica&Venica company, an important anniversary for one of the oldest families of Friulian wine. At that time, in the 1930s, Daniele Venica was already making wine, red and white, which he sold in taverns and trattorias in the Gorizia and Cividalese areas.

Later, the founder's son, Adelchi, continued the wine trade, albeit in hard times. Those of the post-war period, when most of the population took the road of emigration, abandoning land and old professions. Adelchi, born in 1930, stayed up here, a stone's throw from what became the Iron Curtain, the border between East and West, but he did not give up, becoming a kind of 'sentinel of the territory'. Slowly he succeeded in developing the company and bringing dynamism to it, so much so that in 1972 he began to sell his wine directly on the premises, one of the first to do so."

 

The real take-off took place in 1976,

 

when Gianni Venica, born in 1956, freshly graduated from the Cividale wine-making school, discovered white wine-making and applied it. In 1977, Venica & Venica's whites and reds were bottled for the first time, starting with the former Tocai. Giorgio Venica, Gianni's brother, soon joined the company and took charge of the cellar.

The eighties were the years of the export boom. With the first markets opening up, Germany and immediately afterwards the United States, countries that still today represent the strong points of the Cero' winemakers. In 1985, the first nucleus of the agriturismo opened, today transformed into an elegant 'wine resort' immersed in the countryside.

And now, in the 2000s, the fourth generation of the Venica family, Gianni and Giorgio's children: Giampaolo, Serena and Marta, each with their own specific task, has entered the control room.
Venica&Venica currently owns 40 hectares of vineyards, all in the Collio DOC area, producing between 280 and 310 thousand bottles a year. Depending on the season and the harvest, 85% white wines (Ronco delle Mele and Toblar among the most awarded and appreciated) and the remaining 15% reds (from Merlot to Schioppettino). Market shares, in the Horeca sector alone, speak of 55% in Italy and 45% abroad, mainly Germany, the United States, the rest of Europe and Asia, from Japan to Korea.

 

Sustainability for Venica & Venica ...

 

is not a fashion, but a practice implemented since 2006, when photovoltaic panels were purchased to produce energy and hot water. To arrive in 2019 with the first sustainability report, a document that only large listed companies are required to present."

 

08/02/2020 Maurizio Cescon ©Messaggero Veneto: Venica & Venica celebrates 90 years of the company "Wine and sustainability"

"Vinibuoni d’Italia 2020" awards Venica & Venica 5 times

No fewer than 5 of Venica & Venica's wines have been honoured by the 'Vinibuoni d'Italia 2020' Guide edited by the Italian Touring Club. Receiving these 5 awards in anticipation of the celebration in 2020 of the 90th anniversary of the company's foundation is particularly satisfying for us. The satisfaction is particularly great as the 'Vinibuoni d'Italia' Guide is the only one that exclusively rewards wines produced from indigenous or old-growth vines in Italy. Therefore, to see our wines that originate from historical vines and are rooted in the past and traditions appreciated is a great confirmation for us. Above all, a confirmation of our work that we have been doing for 90 years with care, passion and respect for the territory.

The awards were given after two different selections from around 26,000 wines tasted by the 27 regional commissions and popular juries (final consumers and wine lovers). The first is at regional level in which the finalists representing excellence are chosen, and the second at national level.

 

Here is the communication that Venica & Venica received from the National Curator Vinibuoni d'Italia, Mario Busso:

Dear Venica & Venica

I am pleased to inform you that following the tastings and selections made by the regional commissions of the guide Vinibuoni
d'Italia your company has been selected for the 2020 edition with the following wines and relative scores:

Vinibuoni d’Italia 2020

HERE ARE OUR WINES AWARDED BY THE "VINIBUONI D'ITALIA" GUIDE:

 

PETRIS - MALVASIA - DOC Collio 2018

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ awarded by the guide "Vinibuoni d'Italia 2020".
It was awarded the CORONA, the highest accolade from the guide for wines of excellence. It also received the PUBLIC'S CROWN and 4 STARS.

The photo is a memento of the 2019 harvest: our MALVASIA with its must and freshly harvested grapes.

VINIBUONI D'ITALIA 2020

R

ONCO DELLE CIME - FRIULANO - DOC Collio 2018

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ awarded 4 Stars by the guide "Vinibuoni d'Italia 2020".

The photo is a souvenir of the harvest: our RONCO DELLE CIME with its must and some bunches of Friulano grapes.

VINIBUONI D'ITALIA 2020

RIBOLLA GIALLA - L'ADELCHI - DOC Collio 2018

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ awarded 4 Stars by the guide "Vinibuoni d'Italia 2020".
The photo is a memory of the last harvest: the wonderful bunches of our Ribolla Gialla just moments before being picked.

Ribolla Gialla Collio VINIBUONI D'ITALIA 2020

SCHIOPPETTINO - DOC Friuli Colli Orientali - 2012

 

Absolute novelty at VENICA ... and it immediately received its first award!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It obtained the 4 STARS from the Guide "Vinibuoni d'Italia 2020".

Schioppettino 2012 di Venica & Venica premiato dalla Giuda VINIBUONI D'ITALIA 2020

BOTTAZ - REFOSCO - IGT Venezia Giulia 2013

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ awarded 4 Stars by the guide "Vinibuoni d'Italia 2020".

Refosco 2013 di Venica & Venica premiato dalla Giuda VINIBUONI D'ITALIA 2020

RONCO DELLE CIME | Harvest Friulano 2019

Harvest 2019 continues with the FRIULANO harvest in our RONCO DELLE CIME vineyard. The images take you to the highest vineyard of Venica & Venica: among the wonderful hills of Collio with the Julian Prealps in the background.

In the video, truly unique moments of the Friulano grape harvest!

 

The footage allows you to accompany us during the various phases of the grape harvest. You will see the teams as they work in the vineyard, the harvesting of the grapes by hand, and the difficult manoeuvres of the tractors carrying the grape carts out of the vineyard. Then you will discover with us the entire journey of the 'Friulano' (ex-Tocai) grapes, from the harvest to its arrival in our winery!

 

with Gianni Venica, Giorgio Venica, Serena Venica, Marta Venica, Ivica Cencic, Massimo Schianchi, Gianluca Florian

Visiting our Winery in Harvest

Tastings and visits to our historic wine cellar continue during the grape harvest!
So we look forward to seeing you at this beautiful time of year ... and why not ... perhaps you will happen to be with us at the right time to experience together the arrival in the cellar of the freshly harvested grapes.

 

Need more information?

 

On our "TASTINGS" page you will find all the necessary information and the possibility of booking.

And to keep up to date, stay in touch with us on our various channels such as FACEBOOK , YOUTUBE , INSTAGRAM

Visita cantina in vendemmia

RONCO DELLE MELE | Harvest Sauvignon 2019

The 2019 Sauvignon Harvest brings us great satisfaction and joy for the quality of the grapes harvested, achieved thanks to the excellent weather conditions and our constant hard work in the vineyard! But not only this, the Harvest also brings us wonderful images, which we also enjoy this year for the first time.

Impressions during the Harvest of SAUVIGNON that were recorded from above, in one of the most important and representative vineyards of the Venica & Venica winery: RONCO DELLE MELE.

In the video you can admire the beautiful location of this vineyard. In the background you can see the Julian Alps and the glacier of Monte Canin. Its north-west exposure and special microclimate enable the production of Sauvignon grapes of the highest quality.

The grapes are harvested strictly by hand, as in all our vineyards. During transport to the cellar, we protect the grapes from excessive sun exposure by means of shade cloths.

The video also captures the arrival of the grapes at our winery, where they are destemmed and crushed. The process from harvesting to the grapes entering the press takes place in the shortest possible time.

The 2019 Harvest at Venica has begun!

The long-awaited Harvest 2019 has begun! This start is the 89th in our family history!

We wanted to commemorate this moment with a very special photo. Our whole family on three of our tractors, which in the past have marked the history of agricultural vehicles: the Porsche Tractors with 1, 2 and 3 cylinders.

 

Porsche Tractors

 

Porsche tractors are the vintage tractors par excellence, developed and built between the 1940s and 1950s, with air-cooled engines. They were state-of-the-art machines for the time, ahead of other manufacturers, who were still producing 'hot-head' and petrol tractors at that time.

We experienced some really exciting moments at the start of Harvest 2019! It was the first time that these three tractor models were brought together for an official occasion, and this event took place right on our farm. For Gianni and Giorgio Venica it was naturally a moment of particular joy, given their great passion for vintage machines and tractors.

 

As every year on this occasion, the harvest began with our Pinot Grigio grapes, followed by Sauvignon from Ronco delle Mele.

 

Two generations of the Venica family

 

Here is who was there during this start of Vendemmia 2019, which saw the entire third and fourth generations of the Venica family reunited:

Gianni Venica, Giorgio Venica, Giampaolo Venica, Ornella Venica, Serena Venica, Marta Venica, Virgini Fruch, Giulia Venica and Adelaide Venica

 


Venica & Venica Di Gianni Venica e C. S.S. Società Agricola

Location Cerò 8 34070 Dolegna del Collio (Go)
 (+39) 0481 61264
 info@venica.it  wine.resort@venica.it

The shop is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Saturdays in January, the shop will be closed.

Wines


Venica & Venica
is VIVA certified

Venica & Venica Di Gianni Venica e C. S.S. Società Agricola

Location Cerò 8 34070 Dolegna del Collio (Go)
 (+39) 0481 61264
 info@venica.it  wine.resort@venica.it

The shop is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Saturdays in January, the shop will be closed.

Subscribe to Newsletter

"Venica & Venica
is VIVA certified

© Venica&Venica. All rights reserved. P.I. IT00492040316

LOGO OCM

Campagna finanziata ai sensi del regolamento UE n.1308/13
Campaign financed according to EU regulation n.1308/13