2015 Terlato Friuli Colli Orientali Pinot Grigio

Terlato Vineyards was founded in 1996 by Tony Terlato and his sons, Bill and John. Tony had a long and storied career as an importer and marketer of luxury wines before starting his family’s own winemaking venture in California. Terlato began acquiring vineyards in various appellations of Northern California, including premier parcels in the Rutherford Bench and Stags Leap. In California, the estate produces Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and blends. Recently Terlato has also acquired property in Fruili Colli Orientali in northeast Italy, where the family grows Pinot Grigio and Friulano for white wines.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is the most northeasterly region of Italy, bordered by Austria on the north, Slovenia to the east, and the Italian Veneto to the west. Given its history as a political and cultural crossroads, it is no wonder that the wines and cuisine of Friuli-Venezia Giulia reflect Italian, Austrian, French and eastern European traditions. The region is best known for its white wines, and specializes in the native Tocai Friulano, a white grape that produces plush dry wines with fruit flavors balanced by minerals and acidity. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignnon Blanc, and Chardonnay area also grown, along with the native grapes Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia and Istriana. Artisanal producers in the region also make white blends, called “super whites,” which are generally distinctive blends of native grapes and Chardonnay. However nearly 40% of Friuli-Venezia Giulia wines are red. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown, along with the native grapes Refosco, Pignolo and Schioppettino, which is also called Ribolla Nera. The region has 46,000 vineyard acres, of which 60% is classified as DOC. There are nine DOCs.