Winebow Producer Book

Friuli-Venezia-Giulia , Italy

Winery Overview Doro Princic hand crafts wines of unmistakable character in the Collio DOC area in northeastern Italy’s Friuli region. Widely respected for white wines, this area is home to some of Italy’s most unique examples of varietal wines and the wines of Doro Princic are no exception. Located along the border of Slovenia, the sandstone soil and Alpine foothill location give the wines of Doro Princic a style all their own. Location of Vineyards Named for Founder Doro Princic, the Princic estate is located in the Collio DOC area of Italy’s northeastern Friuli region, one of the smallest growing areas in the country. Its white wines have been respected for many years as the very best of Italy, with three quarters of the Princic estate planted with white varietals such as Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Malvasia. These grapes are known to have the best balance of elegant aromas and full bodied weight on the palate. The estate also produces a delicious Merlot. Winemaking Philosophy Today, Doro’s son Sandro heads the winery. He continues in the family tradition and Princic is known for aroma enriching wines produced through temperature controlled fermentation. Winery Overview SUT is a new project by Michele Specogna, a young winemaker in Friuli. Born in the northeastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Michele was introduced to the world of wine at a very young age. His grandfather founded the Specogna estate in 1963. Michele studied Enology in high school and worked at the Braida – Giacomo Bologna in Piemonte during the harvest of 2000. After graduation, he became fully involved in the family estate. In 2003, Michele founded Toblar, a young, dynamic and ambitious winery established in Ramandolo. Michele is now the chief winemaker of both Specogna and Toblar. Location of Vineyard The winemaking area Colli Orientali del Friuli was defined in 1970 with the adoption of the DOC production regulations. It comprises the hills in the eastern province of Udine, which from the north includes almost all the area in the municipalities of Tarcento, Nimis, Povoletto, Attimis, Faedis, Torreano, east Cividale, San Pietro al Natisone and Prepotto. Towards southwest, the area includes Premariacco, Buttrio, Manzano, San Giovanni al Natisone and Corno di Rosazzo. Winemaking Philosophy Like many young winemakers in Italy, Michele believed that there was something wrong with the status quo. Specifically, wines from Friuli had become too expensive and somewhat distant from the reality of the market. Michele, like all true Friulanis, believes that wine has to be respectful of the terroir while reflecting the true characteristics of the varietals that are used. Michele’s family owns great vineyards in both the Collio and the Colli Orientali del Friuli, which for decades have been used to provide grapes to the biggest estates in the area. Counting on his family’s vineyards and with his philosophy in mind, he decided to create a label that reflected his credo: SUT, literally meaning “dry,” but in the local dialect is referred to a person that is honest, direct, down to earth and easy going. Friuli-Venezia-Giulia , Italy