Ronchi di Cialla

Ronchi di Cialla is deeply rooted in the Cialla valley, in the municipality of Prepotto, within the Friuli Colli Orientali DOC. The site is a small basin oriented from north-east to south-west, surrounded by woods of chestnut, oak and wild cherry: a secluded landscape that helps to define a microclimate with a distinct character, featuring warm, breezy days and cooler nights, which are conducive to slow and precise ripening. The Cialla sub-zone, officially recognised for the cultivation of native Friulian grape varieties, is one of the central elements of the producer’s identity.

The recent history of Ronchi di Cialla is inextricably linked to the revival of Schioppettino, or Ribolla Nera, a historic grape variety from Prepotto and Cialla which had almost disappeared by the late 1960s. Its revival has given the producer a cultural as well as an agricultural role, restoring prominence to a grape variety capable of expressing spicy notes, finesse and a deep sense of place. Alongside Schioppettino, the work on native Friulian grape varieties includes Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo and Picolit, with a consistent approach focused on expressing the character of the terroir.

The winemaking approach prioritises wines with ageing potential, crafted from the valley’s grapes and rooted in a commitment to continuity with Friulian tradition. The focus on biodiversity, recognised by the Biodiversity Friend certification, reinforces an agricultural vision in which the environment, local grape varieties and the longevity of the wines interact in a fundamental way.