Cabernet Franc 2018 — Flaibani

Overview

The Cabernet Franc 2018 by Flaibani Winery is one of the most representative red wines from Friuli’s Colli Orientali DOP. Grown on the hills of Cividale del Friuli, it reflects both the strength of the territory and the artisanal precision of the Flaibani family. Produced through organic and biodynamic viticulture, it is an intense, carefully aged red wine that respects natural rhythms. With a limited production of only 1,000 bottles, it stands as a rare and precious expression, an ambassador of authenticity and deep connection with terroir.

History of the wine

Cabernet Franc has always been a favorite variety at Flaibani, a bold choice in a region traditionally devoted to white wines. The 2018 vintage was born from vines aged between 15 and 70 years, planted on south and southwest-facing hillside terraces. This wine embodies the estate’s mission to showcase a historic variety of Friuli, interpreted with rigor and biodynamic vision. Hand-harvesting and strict grape selection ensured a balanced vintage, resulting in a wine with a strong territorial identity.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The grapes come from three hectares of vineyards surrounded by woodland, cultivated with certified organic and biodynamic methods. Yields are kept low, between 35 and 50 quintals per hectare, ensuring healthy and concentrated fruit. The cultivation respects natural cycles, enhancing soil vitality and biodiversity. Grapes are picked by hand at the precise moment of optimal phenolic ripeness, guaranteeing balance between structure and freshness.

Winemaking approach

The winemaking process follows natural principles. Fermentation is spontaneous in stainless steel, without selected yeasts, allowing the grape and terroir to express their true character. The wine ages for 10 months in French oak barriques, then one month in stainless steel and about 30 months in the bottle before release. No fining or filtration is carried out: only time and patience refine the wine into harmony. The minimal use of sulfites preserves the purity and vibrancy of this Cabernet Franc.

Tasting notes

Color: deep ruby red with purple hues, bright and consistent.
Nose: aromas of ripe red fruits, blackcurrant and raspberry, layered with black pepper, aromatic herbs, and a delicate balsamic touch.
Palate: elegant and enveloping, with silky tannins, vibrant freshness, and a long finish marked by mineral and spicy notes.

Food pairings

Perfect with grilled red meats, game, roasts, and aged cheeses, this wine also pairs beautifully with international cuisine such as spiced stews or vegetarian dishes rich in spices. A gastronomic red, suited both for convivial meals and more meditative tastings.

Technical sheet

• Appellation: Friuli Colli Orientali DOP

• Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia

• Vintage: 2018

• Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc

• Vineyards: 3 ha, 15–70 years old, south/southwest exposure

• Viticulture: organic, biodynamic

• Harvest: manual

• Soil: [to be specified if known: marl, clay, ponca]

• Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel

• Ageing: 10 months in French oak barriques, 1 month in stainless steel, 30 months in bottle

• Fining: natural (time)

• Filtration: none

• Sulfites: minimal added

• Production: 1,000 bottles

• Alcohol: [insert if available]

• Serving temperature: 16–18 °C

• Ageing potential: 10 years

Flaibani Winery

A story of Friulian passion

The story of Flaibani Winery begins with Pino Flaibani, a Friulian by birth but for years a resident of Milan, where he worked in the world of printing and journalism. The 1976 earthquake that struck Friuli marked a decisive turning point: Pino went there to help the local population, and it was in those lands that he rediscovered the desire to return to his roots. A few months later, he moved his family to Cividale del Friuli, to what would become the home and beating heart of the winery. At first he looked after the vineyards during weekends, while studying winemaking with passion, until viticulture became his true life mission. After retirement, wine became his main activity and the whole family joined the project: his wife Dorina, his sons Maurizio and Michele, and above all his daughter-in-law Bruna, who would later take the lead of the estate, ensuring continuity to Pino’s dream.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The Flaibani estate extends over about three hectares of hillside vineyards, surrounded by six hectares of woodland that safeguard its natural balance. The vines, aged between fifteen and seventy years, grow on steep terraces facing south and southwest, where optimal exposure and low yields — between 35 and 50 quintals per hectare — allow the best quality potential to be expressed. Since 2016 the winery has been certified organic, and in 2022 it achieved the prestigious Bio Dynamic Farmers of the World biodynamic certification, reflecting Bruna Flaibani’s deep conviction: true wine quality is born from respect for the environment and farming practices in harmony with nature. The vineyards, cultivated without compromise, are a mosaic of biodiversity that makes each harvest unique.

Winemaking approach

The Flaibani philosophy finds its most sincere expression in the cellar, where manual harvesting and traditional pressing with the wine press are fundamental moments. This apparently simple choice preserves the original character of the grapes, maintaining their aromatic freshness and natural structure, which might otherwise be lost with more invasive techniques. The white wines, such as Pinot Grigio Ramato and Friulano, are refined in stainless steel to enhance freshness and verticality, while the reds rest in oak barrels for about ten months before further bottle ageing. Constant attention to detail, from the press to the timing of maturation, reflects the will to craft wines that are a pure expression of the land, free of artifices.

Identity and style

The Flaibani Winery represents a happy exception in Friuli’s panorama: half of its annual production is dedicated to red wines, a distinctive feature in a region historically linked to whites. Among the varieties cultivated are Schioppettino, Cabernet Franc (Carmenère), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Pinot Grigio Ramato and Friulano, sourced from old vines of Tocai Giallo dal Peduncolo Rosso. This varietal choice, at once countercurrent and deeply rooted in local tradition, allows Flaibani to offer a range of wines with an unmistakable personality. Every bottle embodies the character of the Cividale hills, the soul of a family project, and the dedication of those who believe that wine must be the respectful dialogue between man and nature. The Flaibani style is this: authenticity, precision, and a profound bond with Friulian land.