It was the passion for wine, combined with the desire to rediscover their origins, that led the Bastianich family, in 1997, to plant the first vineyards in Buttrio and Cividale del Friuli, in one of Italy's most suitable areas for the production of white wines. The vineyards, all owned since 1997, are located in two distinct areas of the DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli. The original vineyard, located in the communes of Buttrio and Premariacco, lies in the warmest, southernmost zone of Friuli Colli Orientali. These terraced vineyards are warmed by the heat of the Friulian plains and the Adriatic Sea. Re-planted and re-terraced in 2000-2002, these vines are at the height of their quality and production, providing the grapes for our greatest cru wines; Vespa Bianco, Vespa Rosso, Plus, and Calabrone. In Cividale, 10 miles to the north and cooled by mountain breezes, our vineyards here produce the grapes for the fresh, aromatic wines of the Vini Orsone line.

IL RONCAL is a small estate of 20 hectares, terraced on Montebello Hill, in the heart of the Colli Orientali del Friuli, only 3 km away from the historical center of Cividale del Friuli (UNESCO site). Here Martina Moreale carries on the project of her husband Roberto, founder of the winery. Day after day, the diligent care of this land offers its best fruits, harvested to create high-quality wines. The estate of IL RONCAL is surrounded by an impressive landscape and by numerous vineyards, grown in a homogenous soil composition and with ideal climatic conditions. It is possible to find different varieties of wine, each presenting its own peculiarities and unique characteristics. Each distinctive feature results from the dedicated passion of our wine growers and from their technical expertise, which throughout the years has led to perfection. In Friulian (local language), the name “Roncal” means terraced estate on a hill; as a matter of fact, the “ronchi” are the hillsides dominating this striking landscape. The slopes of our vineyards, surrounding Montebello Hill, are favored by excellent sun exposure. Additionally, the marl-sandstone soil is ideal for grape cultivation. IL RONCAL harvest is intentionally postponed for the grapes to reach their full ripeness. The wine production continues then within the cellar, where traditional wine methods are followed. Tradition and modernity continue to coexist; for this reason, the sweet-smelling oak barrels, where the wines mature and the fragrances become full-blown, stand near the shiny cold steel basins.

The ELIO estate, with its farm and vineyard, is located in Cividale del Friuli, a UNESCO World Heritage town. In this unique place, history and tradition meet environmental conservation and preservation of local and native biodiversity.  We take pride in following our family winemaking tradition while introducing innovative notes to our production. Our vineyard and our farm unite generations across the decades, linking indissolubly the current team at ELIO estate to their forefathers.   DEDICATION AND GOOD JUDGEMENT ALWAYS BEAR FRUIT Franco and Alberto aim at one thing: to produce grape varieties of superb quality rooted deep in the surrounding landscape. This is why they have chosen to manage their vineyards following ORGANIC PRINCIPLES of production. They promote care of the environment, respect for biodiversity and the value of craftsmanship.