Zidarich

Friuli, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region at the northeastern tip of Italy bordering on Slovenia, has built its reputation on white wines made from its traditional grape varieties, especially skin-contact wines. To the south of the region, the small region of Carso, in the region of Trieste, has earned its reputation with a few great pioneering winemakers - Benjamin Zidarich at the forefront - who are both ardent defenders of the identity of the terroir and daring innovators.

Benjamin Zidarich built his estate from 1998 onwards using his family's land, in the village of Prepotto near Duino Aurisina in the north of Trieste. He has since increased the domain to its current 10 hectares. The vineyards are cultivated biodynamically and are mainly dedicated to Vitovska, the white grape variety of the Carso and the emblem of the estate, along with Malvasia from nearby Istria, and Teran for the reds. The vineyard work is exacting, and the imprint of the limestone soil is reflected through exceptional winemaking and élevage in the domain's cellar, dug into the rock on 5 levels at a depth of 20 metres. A remarkable estate which has contributed greatly to the recognition of the wines of the Carso and particularly of the grape Vitovska.