Friuli Venezia Giulia is Italy's region with the greatest cultural diversity — Friulian, Slovenian, Habsburg. It has Italy's finest white wines (Collio DOC, Friuli Isonzo DOC), Trieste with its Habsburg heritage and the UNESCO Friulian Dolomites. It is not a mass destination — it is for those seeking real authenticity. From Venice by train: 2h. From Milan: 3h. Trieste-Ronchi dei Legionari airport (TRS, 30km from Trieste).
The Collio and White Wines
The Collio (east of Udine, towards the Slovenian border) is Italy's most exciting wine zone for whites — Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, internationally acclaimed Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon. Radikon (Oslavia) and Gravner (Oslavia) are world pioneers of natural wine in amphorae — their bottles are found in the finest restaurants in Tokyo, Paris and New York. Jermann (Farra d'Isonzo) and Schiopetto (Capriva del Friuli) are the most classic producers. Cormons (the Collio capital) has a Consortium public wine shop (Via XXIV Maggio) with all producers' labels. Udine (Friuli's regional capital) has the Venetian Piazza della Libertà and the Tiepolo gallery in the Cathedral (frescoes of the Cappella del Sacramento).
Trieste and the Friulian Dolomites
Trieste (90km from Udine) is the Habsburg capital — Caffè San Marco (1914), Piazza Unità on the sea, Castello di Miramare (€12), Karst osmize (seasonal rural cellars with Terrano wine and local cured meats). The Friulian Dolomites (Forni di Sopra, Claut) are the least-known side of the UNESCO Dolomites — fewer crowds, identical landscape. Palmanova (30km from Udine, UNESCO) is the 16th-century star-shaped fortress city built by the Venetians on a perfect Renaissance plan — the 9-pointed star plan is visible from above.
Practical tips
Radikon and Gravner in the Collio are world pioneers of amphora wine — their bottles are found in the world's best restaurants
Karst osmize open only seasonally — look for the frasca (fir branch) hanging outside the door
Plan your Friuli Venezia Giulia week
Collio, Trieste and Friulian Dolomites — itinerary in 5 minutes.
Plan now
