Friuli Venezia Giulia 2025

On a recent visit to Trieste and the surrounding region including Manzano, Udine and the valley of Isonzo River, it would have been remiss of me not to enquire of recommended wineries to visit.

Loggia del Lionello in Piazza della Libertà, Udine

As good fortune would have it, a new friend and proprietor of a business in Trieste, just happened to be a font of wise information about the wines of the region, suggested I visit Le Vigne di Zamò. Not only did he suggest it, but phoned the winery and made an appointment for the following day (thank you Luca!).

The estate manager Riccardo was so helpful and knowledgeable on every aspect of the winery and its wines, making my visit and tasting a real pleasure on this sunny October morning (the winery owners were away).

Le Vigne di Zamò Winery

This winery is situated in an outstanding panoramic area known as Rosazzo, extending over 42 hectares found between the hills of Rosazzo Buttrio and Rocca Bernarda, unique microclimates play a valuable part in assisting winemaker Alberto Toso on behalf of the Zamò family produce high quality wines.

Some of their wines are:

Sauvignon Blanc

Pinot Grigio Ramato

Yellow Ribolla

Chardonnay

White Zamò A blend including Riesling.

Pinot Grigio

Traminer Aromatico

Vigne Fifty Years Friulano

Vigne Fifty Years Merlot

Tullio Zamò Pinot Bianco

Ron  Delle Acacie  Chardonnay

No Name Friulano*

Friulano* So called because of historical name change of the wine from Tocai Friulano to Friulano due to a legal dispute with Hungarian Tokaji wine, this resulted in any reference to a Tokaji (or Tocai) made in Italy not being allowed. The only choice left was to name the same grape grown in Italy and the resulting wine: “Friulano”. The wine called “No Name” was a nod to this history.

Tasting Notes

Le Vigne di Zamó

Vigne 50 Anni 2021

Friulano 100%

Bright golden yellow in colour with slight copper/ yellow undertone. Rich bouquet of delicate white florals, distant honeysuckle and exotic fruits. Asian pear, passion fruit, rambutan and papaya, almond nuances. Upon entry, tingling acidity, balanced, complex textural depth, sea bed minerality, silky with fine grained tannins. Secondary notes of orchid fruit and a whiff of lily of the valley. Lingers on the finish.

Points 92 TW

Le Vigne di Zamó

Tullio  Zamó 2021

Friuli Colli Orientali Pinot Bianco 100%

Translucent straw yellow in colour with golden undertones. Rich floral canopy consisting  of  jasmine, gardenia, dry straw and acacia florals. On the sip: pale green apple, apricot, honeydew melon, green olive with mild herb and spice. Crunchy tannins vie with friendly zesty acidity. Fresh and clean on the palate. Linear. Harmonious. Full bodied. Flinty mineral nuances. Medium length on the close.

Points 91 TW

Le Vigne di Zamó

Friuli Colli Orientali

Malvasia 2024

Translucent mid yellow in colour. On the nose: yellow florals with a mix of orchid fruits, yellow tropical fruits with a citrusy undertone. Steel core minerality. Herb notes. Fresh, clean, youthful. Needs bottle time to fully flush out character.

Points 89-91 TW

Le Vigne di Zamó

Vigne 50 Anni

Friuli Colli Orientali

Merlot 2019

Intense ruby red in colour with Bramley ink highlights. Floral aromas of dark purple and blue florals. Dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, liquorice, sweet toasted tobacco. On the palate, good textural resonance, expressive with bounding energy. Interwoven tannins and acidity. Walnut notes on the articulated finish.

Points 94 TW

Liz Neris Winery

The next day we visited the village of San Lorenzo between the Slovenian border to the north and the right bank of the River Isonzo to the south in the Comune of Gorizia.

This unique environment was created some 45 Million years ago by two factors: firstly the entire area was under sea water,  then some 5 Million years later the area was covered by a glacier.

This area’s recent history includes the Roman Empire, the Republic of Venice, the Austro Hungarian Empire; so Latin and Germanic cultures are clearly represented in the wines.

The soil in this area is varied and complex, varying from alluvial deposits to calcareous gravel, situated between 25 metres and 60 metres above sea level.

Contributing factors in maintaining optimal health and ripening of the grapes are a dry local wind (Bora) and mild temperatures from the nearby coast.

The present owner, Alvaro Pecorani was kind enough, to meet us at very short notice, and to explain his estate’s fascinating history. Alvaro took over from his father in 1981 and has focused on quality production as well as expanding the estate. The family’s involvement with wine making goes back to 1879.

The name " Lis Neris " is the local dialect for "Black Clothes." A tribute to the black clad Friuli women that tendered the vines and harvested the grapes, while the men left the countryside to find work in the cities.

The bronze figures at the entrance of the estate represent generations Alvaro Pecorari's female family members.

Murals on the winery's walls are another homage to their toil.

Tasting notes:

Lis Neris

Gris 2022

Friuli Isonzo Pinot Grigio

Pale yellow in colour. Aromas of white and yellow florals. Orchard fruits and white flesh stone fruits, grapefruit and lime leaves. Upon entry: medium bodied, elegant, rounded, layered and showing classic accents. Complex acidity delivers the energy. Tight fresh tannins assist the structure. Textural volume. Defining minerality holds everything in place. Loiters slightly on the close.

Points 92 TW

Lis Neris

Picol 2022

Valle dell’Isonzo - Friuli Sauvignon Blanc

Pale yellow in colour with pale green highlights. A lifted bouquet of fruit and florals, consisting of passion fruit, kiwi and lychee, florals of gardenia, elderflower and distant acacia, citrusy in character with a whiff of lime zest alongside cut grass.The herb content is tangible. On the palate full bodied, forward and complex mineral notes, solid structure, fine grained tannins, lively acidity brings freshness into play. Broad finish.

Points 92 TW

Lis Neris

Jurosa

Chardonnay 2021

Straw yellow in colour with golden highlights. Aromatic profile consisting of green tea, yellow florals, ginger essence and vanilla nuances. On the palate: Asian and tropical fruits abound, creamy, rounded and lightly textured, clean, virtuous and savoury. Great balance. Elegant and classy.

Points 92 TW

Lis Neris

La Vila  2023

Friulano

Intense straw yellow with golden undertone. Needs aeration. On the nose aromas of meadow florals, yellow peach, golden delicious apple, peach, apricot with white pepper and ginger in play. On the palate it’s fresh, complex, savoury, refined and persistent. Long articulated finish.

Points 90 TW

Lis Neris

Lis Neris Rosso IGT 2016

Venezia Giulia

Merlot 90-95 %  Cabernet Sauvignon 10-5%

Ruby red in colour with purple outer rim. On the nose: violet, lilac florals accompanied with a slight  herbaceous note. Red and black wild  berries, dark cherry, tobacco grilled herbs. Very light in texture and subtle on entry,  fine grained fresh tannins vie with wry friendly  acidity. Showing pedigree. Long and linear as well as focused on the finish.

Points 92 TW

Lis Neris

Tal Lac Cuvèe 2021- 2021 IGT

Venezia Giulia

Bianco Passito

Verduzzo (Dried) 95% Riesling 5%

Colour of deep amber with golden highlights. Aromas of apricot, baked golden plum, honey, candied orange peel, honey, cake spice, vanilla notes, acacia florals. Full bodied, rich, spicy, balanced. Lingers on the close.

Points 93 TW

Others wines enjoyed along the way…

Jermann

Vinnae Ribolla Giallo 2024

Bright straw yellow in colour. Dry, fresh, showing orchid fruits, savoury. Lively, medium textural depth. Steel core minerality. Balanced. Persistent.Linear. Leaves a clean mouthfeel.

Points 91 TW

Renato Collio

Pinot Grigio Riserva 2019

Pale straw yellow in colour with copper undertone. Aromas of white florals and herbal notes of arabica, juniper and distant eucalyptus. On the palate white peach, white stone fruits, soft textural resonance, balanced structure. Persistent. Intense. Fresh, clean and elegant. Lingers on the close.

Points 93 TW

Monte Rossa Franciacorta PR

Brut Blanc de Blancs

Chardonnay 65% Chardonnay 35% of reserved wines.

A tribute to the founders of the company Paolo Ravetta and his wife, both with the same initials. Also the first president of the Franciacorta Consortium.

Bright yellow in colour. Aromas of loquat, pear, acacia florals, yellow apple and grilled almond. On the palate harmony rules throughout, fine pearlage, refined, balanced and elegant.

Points 93 TW

Picolit Rodaro Limited Edition

Golden straw in colour with a slightly darker undertone. On the nose elderflower and honey notes. On the palate: raisin, fig and cooked apricot all floating on a bed of fruit syrup. Rich and persistent.

Points 92 TW

© Tony Wood Italian Wine 2025