Merlot 2018 Flaibani

Overview

The Merlot 2018 by Flaibani is a red wine of great character, an authentic expression of the Friuli Colli Orientali DOP hills. From old vines cultivated with organic and biodynamic methods, it embodies the family’s philosophy of producing wines of identity and depth. With only 900 bottles produced, this wine is rare and precious, delivering elegance, intensity, and a strong sense of place.

Wine history

Merlot arrived in Friuli in the 19th century and soon became one of the region’s most representative varieties. Flaibani’s 2018 vintage comes from vineyards aged between 15 and 70 years, planted on steep terraces with southern and southwestern exposure. The manual harvest and strict selection ensure that only the best grapes enter the cellar, giving life to a wine that reflects both history and modern winemaking.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The cultivation is strictly organic and biodynamic, respecting the balance between soil, vine, and biodiversity. Low yields, between 35 and 50 quintals per hectare, guarantee concentrated and healthy grapes. The harvest is carried out manually, selecting bunches at the peak of phenolic ripeness to achieve complexity, structure, and freshness.

Winemaking approach

Vinification follows a natural and traditional method. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in stainless steel, without selected yeasts. The wine ages for 11 months in French oak barriques, then rests one month in steel and continues to refine in the bottle for about 36 months. No forced clarification, no filtration, minimal SO₂: only time shapes this wine into harmony and balance.

Tasting notes

Color: deep ruby red with garnet reflections.
Nose: rich bouquet of ripe plum, black cherry, and blackberry, with hints of black pepper, cocoa, and sweet tobacco.
Palate: full-bodied, with velvety tannins, fresh balance, and a persistent mineral finish.

Food pairings

Perfect with roasts, braised meats, game, and aged cheeses, but also excellent with grilled dishes, mushroom-based recipes, or rich risottos.

Tech sheet

• Denomination: Friuli Colli Orientali DOP

• Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia

• Vintage: 2018

• Grapes: 100% Merlot

• Vineyard size: 3 ha, vines aged 15–70 years

• Farming: organic, biodynamic

• Harvest: manual

• Vinification: spontaneous fermentation in steel

• Ageing: 11 months in French oak, 1 month in steel, 36 months in bottle

• Production: 900 bottles

• Alcohol: [to be specified]

• Serving temperature: 16–18 °C

• Ageing potential: 10–12 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.