Ronchi di Cialla, a 28 hectare historical Friulian Estate, is a small, family run business. Established in the 1970s, they have established a reputation as one of the finest producers of age-worthy wines in Fruili.
‘Ronchi’, in Fruili’s dialect, means hills cultivated by vines; ‘Cialla’ is a small valley surrounded by woods with chestnut, oak, and wild cherry trees. Located in the Cialla valley, one of three sub-zones in Colli Orientali del Friuli, it is a picturesque area with perfect growing conditions for the indigenous grapes. The company philosophy has always been to work solely with indigenous varieties, such as, Ribolla, Refosco, Schioppettino, Verduzzo, and Picolit. In fact, the Rapuzzi Family restored and revitalized the Schioppettino grape from near extinction, defying the odds and local wine laws.
Their viticultural practices involve minimal treatment with non-polluting products, while vinification is carried out naturally. Their continued commitment to agriculture innovation and ecologically-friendly methods have earned them their "biodiversity friendly" certification by the World Biodiversity Association. This accolade is granted to those with a commitment to progressive increases in biological diversity, conservation through the use of natural practices, and minimal interference farming techniques.