Collio is one of Italy's top wine-growing regions, known for producing exceptional white wines. It is a border DOC located in eastern Friuli Venezia Giulia, encompassing the hilly area along the Italian-Slovenian border. It begins at Oslavia, on the outskirts of Gorizia, and extends to Dolegna, following the Judrio River, which marked the Italy-Austria-Hungary border from 1866 to 1918. The area is characterized by *ponca* soil—a calcareous marl formation that also defines the neighboring Colli Orientali DOC—giving the wines depth, elegance, and a rich taste profile.
Collio wines from indigenous and international varieties
The 1991 production code permits Collio white wines to be made from both indigenous (unlike the initial 1964 code) and international varieties: Friulano, Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla, Traminer, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling Renano (for reds, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Nero, which represent only about 10% of total production). Some producers believe the inclusion of international varieties has diluted the unique identity of Collio wines.
Among the native varieties, Friulano and Ribolla Gialla are prominent, while Malvasia (specifically Istrian Malvasia) also plays a key role. Among the international varieties—now well-adapted to these hills—we find Sauvignon, believed to have originated in France (likely in Bordeaux or the Loire Valley) and introduced to Italy in the late 18th century through Friuli Venezia Giulia. This is also the case with Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio, French varieties that are genetic mutations of the prestigious Pinot Nero.
One Collio wine was included in the Carta dei Vini Rari, a new section in the Vini d’Italia 2025 guide and also featured in Gambero Rosso’s November cover story. This was the Collio Friulano Miklus Francesco ’19 from Draga - Miklus.
Alexis e Jannis Paraschos
Three Collio wineries earned "Tre Bicchieri" this year for the first time: Muzic with Collio Bianco Stabre Brajde Uve Autoctone 2022, Cantina Produttori Cormòns with Collio Bianco Uve Autoctone 2022, and Paraschos with Collio Friulano Kaj Ris. 2021.
The best Collio wines awarded Tre Bicchieri
Here are the top 10 Collio wines that received *Tre Bicchieri* in the *Vini d’Italia* 2025 guide:
Collio Bianco Broy 2022 - Eugenio Collavini. This blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon offers tropical fruit, chamomile, and honey aromas with a structured, juicy, and powerful palate. Eugenio Collavini is a pioneer of quality winemaking in the region, known for innovations in Pinot Grigio and sparkling Ribolla Gialla.
Collio Bianco Fosarin 2022 - Ronco dei Tassi. A blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano, and Istrian Malvasia, with citrus and tropical notes on the nose and a rich, juicy palate. Founded by Fabio Coser and his wife Daniela in 1989, Ronco dei Tassi lies near a charming natural park in Cormòns.
Collio Bianco Luna di Ponca 2021 - Tenuta Borgo Conventi. Chardonnay, Friulano, and Istrian Malvasia combine to create notes of lemon cream, quince jam, and canned peaches, leaving an unforgettable finish. Founded by Gianni Vescovo, the estate was recently acquired by the Moretti Polegato family, known for Villa Sandi.
Collio Bianco Stare Brajde Uve Autoctone 2022 - Muzic. Delightful honey, linden, lavender, and saline notes with herbal and spicy echoes. Muzic’s journey began in the 1960s; today, Giovanni Muzic leads with a strong family team.
Collio Bianco Uve Autoctone 2022 - Cantina Produttori Cormòns. A consistent finalist, it blends Friulano, Istrian Malvasia, and Ribolla Gialla with aromas of mimosa, yellow peach, and acacia honey. Founded by local growers in the 1960s, it has grown in quality under Alessandro dal Zovo’s management.
Collio Chardonnay Riserva 2019 - Primosic. Awarded "White of the Year" last year, this Chardonnay Riserva impresses once again with the 2019 vintage, capturing the nose with dried yellow flowers, candied orange, dried fruit, incense, and nuts. On the palate, it is sumptuous, enveloping, energetic, and progressive. The Primosic family has been producing wine since the 19th century, supplying wine to traders who transported it from these southern hills of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Vienna. Today, Marko and Boris Primosic lead the winery’s golden age, producing both ancestral-style gems and a wide range of modern, refined wines.
Collio Friulano Kaj Ris. 2021 - Paraschos. With a beautiful antique golden hue, this Friulano offers iodine and peat notes followed by hints of black tea, tobacco, malt, honey, resins, and candied fruit. The palate develops slowly, balancing savoriness and minerality. Evangelos Paraschos, a nature lover, operates in San Floriano del Collio, employing traditional winemaking techniques. These include macerating white grapes with skins for several days in open Slavonian oak barrels or Greek terracotta amphorae, his native land, without temperature control or selected yeasts. Such ancient practices are documented in 18th-century texts confirming this method was once used in Collio and the nearby Vipacco Valley.
Collio Malvasia 2023 - Doro Princic
This Malvasia is a spectacular concentration of aromas that intensify with each sip. Sandro Princic, a classic winemaker, inherited a remarkable sense of balance and listening from his father, Doro. As a staunch advocate of single-variety wines, he brings out the best in each grape without manipulation or excess, following nature’s rhythms. He has passed his skills to his son Carlo. Many consider the 2023 harvest difficult, but tasting Sandro’s wines reveals no shortcomings compared to previous vintages—in fact, they seem to have gained an extra edge.
Collio Sauvignon 2023 - Tiare Roberto Snidarcig. This wine has garnered praise year after year, and for good reason. Roberto Snidarcig represents a perfect balance of modernity and tradition. Since his first harvest in 1991, he has expanded his winery from a small estate to a highly esteemed vineyard that shines in Dolegna del Collio. Today, with his wife Sandra and daughter Federica by his side, the winery continues to grow and succeed, showcasing the potential of this Sauvignon.
Collio Sauvignon Extempore 2018 - Venica & Venica. A yellow rose bouquet, lemon wafer, tropical fruit, dried flowers, sage, and savory notes combine in this unique wine. In the 2018 vintage, the Venica family, who have been farming here since the early 20th century, achieved a rich harmony of aromas. Today, led by Gianni Venica, the family’s mission includes preserving the aging potential of Collio whites and supporting biodiversity through innovative practices, such as eco-friendly vineyard management techniques.
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