Wine tourism in Friuli Venezia Giulia

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, wine is much more than a product: it is a way to discover the territory, its landscapes and the people who have preserved its traditions for generations. From the hills of Collio and the Colli Orientali to the Karst, from the plains to the Adriatic coast, the six itineraries of the Wine and Flavours Route lead visitors through a region where vineyards are an essential part of the landscape and reflect its unique position at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans.

This extraordinary diversity makes Friuli Venezia Giulia an ideal destination for wine tourism. Each area has its own identity, shaped by different landscapes, soils and climatic conditions, as well as by a rich variety of grapes. Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Schioppettino are among the region’s most distinctive wines, alongside smaller productions deeply rooted in local communities.

A wine journey can begin right in the vineyard. Following roads through the rows of vines, visiting a winery, meeting a producer and discovering the story behind a wine offer an authentic way to experience the region. Visitors can explore cultivation and winemaking techniques, take part in tastings and, at certain times of the year, experience special moments such as the grape harvest. Meeting the people who work the land and make the wine is an essential part of the experience.

Wine tourism naturally connects with Friuli Venezia Giulia’s rich gastronomic heritage. A glass of local wine can accompany a journey through traditional flavours and regional products, while also providing a starting point for discovering historic villages, castles, cities of art and rural landscapes. Vineyard routes can be explored on foot or by bicycle, combining tastings with cultural visits, outdoor activities and moments of conviviality.

Among the region’s most evocative wine landscapes, there are those of Collio and the Colli Orientali, where vineyards stretch across rolling hills dotted with villages and farms, and the Karst, where viticulture meets calcareous soils, the Bora wind and distinctive environmental conditions. The plains and areas near the coast offer further opportunities to combine wine with the many other elements of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s identity.

The region’s borderland location adds another layer to its story. For centuries, different cultures, languages and traditions have met here, leaving their mark on cuisine, landscapes and local customs. Discovering its wines therefore also means exploring a place where different influences coexist and contribute to a rich and multifaceted identity.

A wine tourism journey in Friuli Venezia Giulia does not end with a tasting. It continues through the stories of producers, the flavours of local cuisine, the roads between the vineyards and the landscapes encountered along the way. It is an invitation to slow down, explore and experience the region through authentic encounters, where every glass becomes a gateway to a place, a story and a community at the heart of Europe.

1. Pic-nice
   An informal and authentic way to experience the wine landscapes of Friuli Venezia Giulia: a basket of local specialities, a glass of wine and time to relax among vineyards, hills and panoramic views. Wineries across the region offer outdoor experiences combining wine discovery with local gastronomy, showcasing the area’s products, traditions and rural heritage.
2. Harvest experiences
   Taking part in the grape harvest means stepping into the heart of the region’s wine culture. At selected wineries, visitors can experience one of the most important moments of the winemaking year, discovering how grapes are harvested and transformed into wine while sharing a day with producers among vineyards, traditions and conviviality. A seasonal experience offering an authentic insight into the region through the work and traditions of its winegrowers.
3. Wine tastings
   From renowned appellations to indigenous grape varieties, wineries throughout Friuli Venezia Giulia open their doors to share the stories behind their wines, people and territories. Tastings offer the opportunity to explore the distinctive character of the region’s wine areas, often accompanied by local specialities and visits to cellars or vineyards. An engaging way to discover the region through its wines and the people who produce them.
4. Friuli Venezia Giulia Via dei Sapori Dinner Shows
   FVG Via dei Sapori’s Dinner Shows bring regional cuisine to unique settings, from the beaches of Grado and Lignano to Udine Castle, combining chefs, local wines, traditional products and conviviality.
5. Wine Nights
   As the sun sets, the vineyards and wineries of Friuli Venezia Giulia become the setting for experiences centred on wine and conviviality. Evening events combine tastings, music, local specialities and encounters with winemakers, offering a new way to explore the region’s wine territories. An opportunity to experience wine not only through the glass, but also through the atmosphere, people and traditions that surround it.

• The Wine of Popes and Kings: Picolit, the renowned sweet wine of Friuli, was considered a true status symbol among European courts in the 18th century. Highly appreciated by Pope Clement XIV, it was exported as far as in Russia and England, where it competed directly with the celebrated Hungarian Tokaji.
• Italy’s Latest Harvest: In the border areas of Venezia Giulia, the Terrano grape is sometimes harvested after the first frosts. Thanks to the Bora wind and the iron-rich Karst soil, it produces a powerful, full-bodied and pleasantly astringent red wine, historically also used as a remedy for anaemia.
• The Birthplace of “Orange Wines”: Friuli, and particularly the Collio area, is internationally renowned for white wines made through extended maceration, giving them their distinctive amber-orange colour and character. Local winemakers have played a key role in the revival of this ancient technique, including the use of traditional clay amphorae.

• Friulano
• Ribolla gialla
• Malvasia istriana
• Verduzzo Friulano
• Picolit
• Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
• Schioppettino
• Pignolo
• Tazzelenghe

• Ein Prosit: In Udine and the Tarvisio area, one of the most important international events celebrating food and wine: Michelin-starred and other renowned chefs, tastings, masterclasses, talks and dinners explore the connection between fine cuisine, wine and the local territory.
• Oro di Ramandolo: In the hills around Nimis and Tarcento, a travelling celebration dedicated to Ramandolo DOCG. Wineries, winemakers and local restaurants invite visitors to discover this precious sweet wine and the flavours of Friulian tradition.
• Mare e Vitovska: At Duino Castle, the signature grape variety of the Karst meets local produce and cuisine through tastings, food pairings and special events exploring the relationship between wine, the sea and the Karst landscape.

• Press kit
• Presentation of Friuli Venezia Giulia
  

• turismofvg.it/en/food-and-wine
• turismofvg.it/en