For more than three generations, the Fantinel family of Azienda Agricola Zuccolo has championed local grape varieties on their native soil and cultivated vines in estate-owned mountain vineyards that are harvested exclusively by hand. Friuli’s stony, mineral terroir means yields are naturally low, and thus grapes more concentrated and flavorful. With vineyards in the shadows of the towering Dolomites, Zuccolo is the true source of some of Italy’s most intensely aromatic and elegant wines.
Friuli Grave, where estate vineyards are located, is held as the best-suited growing area for white grapes, because of its ideal terroir and altitude. Vines are planted on mineral-rich alluvial soils in the foothills of the Dolomites. Temperature swings here in the mountains are more extreme, with warmer days and cooler nights; this means more aromatic intensity as well as balanced acidity in the wines.
Grapes are destemmed, crushed, and chilled before pressing; pressed juice is clarified and fermented on selected yeasts at low temperatures. Aged on fine lees for four months.
