Within Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio is far to the east and borders both Austria and Slovenia between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Cool air at night helps maintain acidity levels in the grapes, while the unique local soil (ponca, an ancient, layered marl and sandstone filled with sea fossils) gives the wines their characteristic freshness, saltiness, flinty tang and minerality.
Duke Eugenio Catemario di Quadri relocated from southern Italy to Friuli around the time of World War I. He married the Marquise Torriani Felissent, who brought several proprieties in her dowry including a fortified house with vineyards in the Friulian Hills. The vineyards continue to have a strong sustainability priority, with 70% of the power needs sourced via solar panels, and low impact pesticide use in the vines.
