Wine producers exist in two categories: those who follow market trends and those who protect their land by making wine while preserving natural heritage. Ronchi di Cialla represents the most authentic embodiment of this spirit.
For more than fifty years the Rapuzzi family has protected the Schioppettino grape of Friuli and they were able to demonstrate its aging potential to the world. During the 1970s Paolo and Dina Rapuzzi started their mission to preserve local grapes when the local wine industry chose to replace them with international grape varieties. The family saved Schioppettino from extinction when the grape became illegal through law and its vineyards decreased to only a few plant. Their efforts to preserve the grape variety protected an essential element of Friuli’s cultural heritage.
What make this producer stands out compared to other in the area is that “Cialla” is actually a valley that serves as their main production area; it forms a natural amphitheater within the Colli Orientali region which gained legal subzone status as their exclusive production area. The Cialla name appears exclusively on Ronchi di Cialla wine labels. The winemakers at this location produce wines from Eocene marl called in Friulian dialect Ponca: soils that allow the wine to age remarkably well while maintaining their distinctive characteristics. The family releases their wines after years of aging only when they determine the wines have reached optimal readiness.
One of my most memorable winery visits was going to this winery. The two brother Ivan and Pierpaolo with their unique approach stems from their shared passion and academic background in entomology. By applying their studies, they have cultivated a thriving ecosystem, introducing specific insects to the vineyard that eliminate the need for any pesticides. The result is a natural garden where plants and animals coexist in symbiosis. I was fascinated by the depth of their knowledge and the sheer biodiversity of the vineyard. It was an eye-opening experience that revealed the vital role insects play in the environment.
This unique opportunity allows you to purchase wines straight from their cellar collection which has aged for multiple years at Cialla winery.
A Library Release from the Cialla Monopole
The wines below are grouped by style, each one telling a different part of the Cialla story. The range of vintages on offer is a testament to the estate’s philosophy of patience and the remarkable aging potential of these native Friulian grapes.
Cialla Bianco This is not your typical Friulian white. The Cialla Bianco represents a masterful combination of Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo and Picolit grapes which produces a complex wine with textural elements and savory characteristics that require aging. The wine presents itself as a structured wine with mineral notes that will evolve over time. The wine reveals dried apple and chamomile and beeswax notes and a strong salty core which develops complexity and depth as it ages.
1997 Ronchi di Cialla “Ciallabianco”
1998 Ronchi di Cialla “Ciallabianco” (1.5L)
1999 Ronchi di Cialla “Ciallabianco”
2000 Ronchi di Cialla “Ciallabianco”
2000 Ronchi di Cialla “Ciallabianco” (1.5L)
2022 Ronchi di Cialla “Ciallabianco”
Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso di Cialla The Rapuzzi family transforms wild rustic Refosco grapes into refined noble wines. The wine presents dark flavors with spicy notes and structured tannins which include black cherry and wild herbs and earthy minerality. The grape’s firm tannins receive expert integration which indicates the wine will age remarkably well.
2001 Ronchi di Cialla Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
2005 Ronchi di Cialla Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
2007 Ronchi di Cialla Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
2015 Ronchi di Cialla Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
Schioppettino di Cialla The grape Schioppettino represents the core essence of Ronchi di Cialla because they dedicated themselves to its survival from extinction. Schioppettino stands as one of Italy’s rarest red grape varieties because it produces distinctive flavors of black pepper and wild berries and incense and violet notes. The wine combines the aromatic elegance of Syrah with a distinctive Alpine crispness. The wine offers intellectual depth while providing deep satisfaction to those who drink it. The family stands as proof that they believed in this abandoned treasure.
1995 Ronchi di Cialla Schioppettino di Cialla
1999 Ronchi di Cialla Schioppettino di Cialla (1.5LT)
2018 Ronchi di Cialla Schioppettino di Cialla
Friuli’s Golden Nectar: The Sweet Wines
Verduzzo di Cialla The wine production process of passito style grapes results in this sweet wine which maintains a strong structure. The wine stands apart from typical dessert wines because it keeps its firm tannins and crisp acidity which supports its rich dried apricot and almond paste and honey flavors. The wine presents complex savory flavors without ever reaching a cloying state.
2006 Ronchi di Cialla Verduzzo di Cialla (375ML)
2008 Ronchi di Cialla Verduzzo di Cialla (375ML)
Picolit di Cialla Picolit stands as one of Italy’s most precious dessert wines because of its exceptional rarity. The natural process of flower pollination failure results in each bunch producing only a few small intensely flavored berries. The wine presents itself as an ethereal and delicate drink with haunting scents of honeysuckle and white peach and acacia. The wine presents sweetness while maintaining an incredibly light and agile texture. The 2015 Picolit presents a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most distinctive grape varieties.
2015 Ronchi di Cialla Picolit (375ML)
