Storia
Foundation in the 1960s
Lisio Plozner established Tenuta Plozner in the 1960s. The business developed an established presence both within its home territory and beyond Italy.
Acquisition and organic conversion in 2013
Cristiana Bettili acquired Tenuta Plozner in 2013. The purchase took her from the Veronese hills into the markedly different environment of the Grave Friulane and presented the logistical challenge of managing 43 ha entirely under vine far from her home base.
Following the acquisition, she began converting the vineyards to organic farming. The planted area was subsequently enlarged with a particular emphasis on Glera, the grape associated with the estate’s Prosecco production.
Terroir
Tenuta Plozner lies at approximately 140 m above sea level in Barbeano di Spilimbergo, in the heart of Friuli Grave DOC. The denomination occupies Friuli’s upper plain between Pordenone and Udine.
Alluvial Magredi
The local soils are known as Magredi or terre magre—“lean lands.” They consist of gravelly alluvial debris deposited over millennia by the Meduna, Cellina and Tagliamento rivers after the melting of the Alpine glaciers. At the estate’s position, stones and gravel account for approximately 70% of the plain. The material becomes progressively finer toward the sea.
The low-fertility substrate provides restrained nourishment and naturally limits yields. Its high gravel content also drains the area’s abundant spring rainfall.
Climatic influences
The Carnic Alps protect the vineyards from cold northerly winds, while mild marine currents arrive from the nearby coast. These two influences moderate the climate. The combination of lean gravel, drainage and climatic protection is associated with white wines characterized by aromatic finesse, freshness, a pronounced mineral quality and longevity.
Vinificazione
Organic cultivation
Cristiana Bettili initiated the conversion of Tenuta Plozner’s vineyards to organic farming after acquiring the estate in 2013. Organic production excludes synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides as well as genetically modified organisms. BIOS srl of Marostica, an external control body authorized by Mipaaf, conducts checks throughout the production chain.
The organic program is built around agricultural self-sufficiency through local resources, preservation of natural soil fertility, avoidance of pollution from farming techniques and production of high-quality agricultural products in sufficient quantities. Green manure and soil ploughing are identified among the means of supporting this approach.
Plant protection
Sulfur is used to prevent powdery mildew and copper to prevent downy mildew. Copper applications are treated cautiously because accumulation can cause plant toxicity, reduce soil biological activity and harm earthworms and beneficial insects. Trials seek to reduce copper use well below the stated legal ceiling of 6 kg/ha per year.
The alternatives under evaluation include bacterial antagonists to downy mildew and natural citrus-based preparations with antifungal, bacteriostatic, antioxidant and foliar-strengthening properties. Pyrethrum and Bacillus thuringiensis are used against harmful insects.
Vineyard structure
The vineyards are planted at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare and trained to Guyot.
Sparkling-wine production is conducted directly in the Tenuta Plozner cellar. No single estate-wide protocol is defined for grape reception, fermentation, maturation, stabilization, filtration or bottling.
Filosofia
Cristiana Bettili’s approach connects wine quality with environmental responsibility. At Tenuta Plozner, this principle took practical form in the decision to convert the entire vineyard holding to organic cultivation after the 2013 acquisition.
Organic farming is treated as an operating commitment rather than a response to market fashion. Its stated purposes are to protect the environment and natural biodiversity, exclude synthetic agricultural inputs and genetically modified organisms, preserve natural soil fertility and provide consumers with independently controlled production.
The program also emphasizes experimentation. In particular, the work to reduce copper applications below legal limits combines established organic treatments with bacterial antagonists and natural citrus-based alternatives.