Conti Formentini

Foundation in 1520

Formentini was founded in 1520 and remains active more than five centuries later. Its wines acquired a historical reputation among members of the clergy, aristocrats and political figures. Over this long period, the winery became closely associated with the development of wine production in Collio, interpreting the area through its climatic, environmental and human characteristics.

Generational relationships in Collio

A detailed knowledge of the territory was reinforced by relationships with local partner-growers maintained over successive generations. This continuity enabled Formentini to work with the particular qualities of individual micro-zones and to obtain grapes of consistent quality from a widely distributed vineyard network.

2021: Enrico Marega joins Formentini

Enrico Marega joined the winery team in 2021. His work contributed to the qualitative development of production, with particular attention to the identity of indigenous varieties and the value of the local denominations.

2025: new technical leadership

In 2025, Marega assumed technical leadership of Formentini. His approach combines close ties to Collio with openness to discussion, technical exchange and innovation.

Collio

Formentini operates in Collio, a border territory in northeastern Italy adjoining Slovenia. The district extends between the Isonzo and Iudrio rivers and contains nearly 1,500 ha of vineyards. Its history spans more than a millennium and includes periods of major conflict and renewal.

Ponca

The characteristic soil is Ponca, a marine-origin formation composed of marl and sandstone and dating back millions of years. Its strong drainage capacity supports grape ripening. The soil is associated with a pronounced mineral character in both the aromas and flavours of the resulting wines.

A dispersed vineyard network

Formentini's viticultural base covers approximately 58 ha in highly regarded parts of the Collio DOC zone. The grapes come from about 150 parcels distributed among nine localities in the denomination's northeastern sector. This dispersed structure provides access to distinct micro-zones whose individual characteristics are addressed through long-standing local knowledge.

Friulano is particularly delicate because of its thin skin and reaches its best ripeness only in selected micro-zones. Plessiva and San Floriano del Collio are specifically identified among the places from which Formentini obtains this variety.

Formentini presents its work as a reinterpretation of Collio and its varieties, seeking wines with a clear relationship to their origins and territory. Authenticity, typicity, individual character, refinement and elegance form the stated stylistic objectives.

This approach rests on method and rigour in the vineyard together with creative interpretation in the cellar. Long familiarity with Collio and generational relationships with local growers provide continuity, while Enrico Marega's technical direction adds an openness to discussion and innovation. His emphasis on precision, sensitivity and the potential of each vineyard supports the broader goal of expressing indigenous grapes and local denominations rather than imposing a uniform style across different sites.