Friuli-Venezia Giulia (to use its full name) is an interesting and unique region of North-East Italy famed and much revered for producing some richer textured whites and lighter and fresher reds. With Venice as its capital, the Adriatic to the south, the Austrian Alps to the north and Slovenia to the East it has a mild maritime climate, with cooling winds and moderate summers. A long drawn out growing season ensures ripe grapes with good concentration, especially given their low yields (some of the lowest in Italy). White wine dominates with indigenous varieties Friulano (W), Refosco and Schioppettino (R) shining though. The trend in Friuli winemaking is to express purity of fruit, taking the grapes quickly off the skins, preventing oxidation and using little (if any) oak. In 1959, Renzo Bassani purchased Isola Augusta after falling in love with the land, having discovered and tasted two bottles of wine made by the winemaker at the time. He immediately recognised the area's natural suitability for viticulture and began renovating the homes of the local peasants. Bassani also renewed the old vines, setting the stage for the production of exceptional wines. The winery, nestled in the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia's clay soils, quickly became a beacon of innovation. He replaced many chemical interventions with natural, physical processes and was a pioneer in introducing cold fermentation to the region. The estate is located near Isola Augusta, or "Augusta Island," a name rooted in local legend. It is said that, in ancient times, the land was surrounded by the rivers Tagliamento and Stella, creating the illusion of an island. Since its founding, the estate has remained in the Bassani family, and today, in the third generation, Jacopo continues to manage the vineyards with a focus on sustainability. Under his stewardship, the estate has significantly reduced its environmental impact, replacing nearly all chemical treatments with organic alternatives. Since 1990, the entire facility has been heated naturally using geothermal energy, and in the early 2000s, the company achieved energy self-sufficiency, all while maintaining zero emissions. A standout wine at Isola Augusta is the Schioppettino, or "little gunshot," a unique and exceptional alternative to Pinot Noir. || Tasting note: Macerated strawberries; cloves and subtle chocolate on the nose. Fresh; deep; dark and juicy; with more strawberry; acai berry; red cherry and cloves. Bonfire; cloves and smoke with sweet red cherry and clove on the finish. Long and soft. || Winemaking Detail: Fermentation temperature at 25°. Juice is left on the skins for 10 days. Alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature. || Features Strawberry Cherry Cloves Smokey Soft
