Fantinel
Tenuta Sant'Helena Refosco
Fantinel was founded in 1969, when restaurateur and hotelier, Paron Mario Fantinel, acquired his first vineyards in the Collio area of northern Friuli. With now the third generation represented by Marco, Stefano, and Mariaelena, what started as a small agricultural company has become an internationally prestigious winery and ambassador of Friulian wine-making throughout the world. The philosophy of Fantinel is to employ passion, tradition, and innovation through a close bond with the origins and ancestral wisdom of Friuli, producing wines that embrace excellence and offer real emotions that convey the authenticity of the land.
With over 300 hectares of vineyards divided into the renowned DOC Grave, Prosecco, and Collio zones, Fantinel comprises a stunning lineup: beautiful sparkling wines, Borgo Tesis, the distinct estate of Tenuta Sant’Helena, and the crown jewel La Roncaia. Gaining success in over 90 countries at top-level, prestigious restaurants and specialized shops, Fantinel’s rapidly growing success is confirmed by remarkable reviews received by international press.
Tasting Notes
Garnet red with tinges typical of aged wine. Intense and pleasurable, a multi-layered bouquet that, with age, acquires tarry scents. Savory, tannic, full-bodied, with a lingering aftertaste. It softens with age to acquire a pleasantly bitter palate.
Cultivation
Practicing sustainable farming. Vines trained on guyot, harvest at the beginning of September.
Vinification
Hand harvest; partial “appassimento” (drying method) of the Merlot grapes (about 30%) for eight weeks; the grapes slowly macerate for about 20 days at a controlled temperature.
Aging
Aged for about 18 months in 30-60 hl Allier and Slavonian oak barrels.
Press
2018:
91 points - James Suckling
2017:
92 points - James Suckling
APPELLATION
IGT Venezia Giulia
VARIETAL
Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 100%
ABV
13%
ALTITUDE
200 meters
SOIL
Marly sandstones (Eocene origin) "Ponca"
AVERAGE AGE
30 years