Schioppettino Flaibani

Overview

The Schioppettino DOP by Flaibani is an authentic jewel of the Friuli Colli Orientali hills, a rare grape variety native to Friuli, rediscovered and valued for its elegance and spicy character. Produced from vineyards cultivated with organic and biodynamic methods, this wine embodies respect for tradition and territory. With a strictly limited production of 800 bottles, it is a true collector’s wine.

Wine history

Schioppettino, also known as Ribolla Nera, has been cultivated in Friuli since the 13th century. After being nearly forgotten, it was rediscovered in the 20th century and is today considered one of the most representative native red grapes of the region. Flaibani’s vineyards, aged between 15 and 70 years, produce grapes of great concentration thanks to steep terraces with optimal southern and southwestern exposure.

Philosophy in the vineyard

Cultivation follows organic and biodynamic practices, enhancing biodiversity and soil vitality. Low yields (35–50 quintals per hectare) allow grapes to fully express the varietal character of Schioppettino. Manual harvest ensures the selection of perfectly ripe and healthy bunches.

Winemaking approach

Fermentation takes place spontaneously in stainless steel, without added yeasts. The wine then matures for 8 months in French oak barriques, followed by 1 month in steel and at least 6 months of bottle ageing. No clarification, no filtration: only time refines the natural balance of the wine.

Tasting notes

Color: intense ruby red with purple hues.
Nose: elegant bouquet of wild berries, black currant, and cherry, enriched by distinctive spicy notes of black pepper, cloves, and violet.
Palate: medium-bodied, fresh and vibrant, with silky tannins and a long, spicy finish.

Food pairings

Ideal with charcuterie, roasted white meats, poultry, lamb, mushroom-based dishes and medium-aged cheeses. Its lively freshness also makes it an excellent wine for refined aperitifs.

Tech sheet

• Denomination: Friuli Colli Orientali DOP

• Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia

• Grape: 100% Schioppettino

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

• Farming: organic, biodynamic

• Harvest: manual

• Vinification: spontaneous fermentation in steel

• Ageing: 8 months French oak, 1 month steel, 6+ months bottle

• Production: 800 bottles

• Alcohol: [to be specified]

• Serving temperature: 15–17 °C

• Ageing potential: 8–10 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.