About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Girolamo Dorigo's vineyards lie at 220 m above sea level on limestone and clay soils in Friuli, in north-eastern Italy. The estate's two vineyards are Ronc di Juri in Buttrio and Montsclapade in Premariacco. Planting density was increased several times over, which helps control the weight of each bunch and, in turn, the flavour profile of the grapes.
Vinification
Harvest begins in early September. Grapes are picked by hand, then carefully selected and sorted. To preserve the aromas they are chilled before pressing, with dry ice used for cooling, and undergo a long, gentle pressing. The juice settles overnight and is fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
The wine is aged on its lees for 5 months. It is usually enjoyable young, but develops greater richness after 5–6 years.
Label / history
Dorigo was founded in 1966 with the purchase of two vineyards, Ronc di Juri in Buttrio and Montsclapade in Premariacco, neither of which had previously attracted much attention. The new owners combined the vineyards' traditions with modern technology, investing in machinery for tending the vines, new barriques for fermentation and reed mats for drying grapes, and assembled a team of oenologists.
