Top Italian Wines Roadshow: Borgo Conventi

A path surrounded by magnificent vineyards will get you to the Borgo Conventi villa. The estate owes its name to a legend, according to which local feudatory Rizzardo di Strassoldo donated a plot of land to the Dominican Fathers who built a convent there. The current history of the winery, instead, dates back to 1975, when Gianni Vescovo started the winemaking activity. In April 2019, the estate passed first to the Folonari family, and in 2021 to the Moretti Polegato family, owner of the prestigious Villa Sandi, one of nearby Veneto’s regional jewels. Agronomy and responsibility for production have been entrusted to their in-house enologist Paolo Corso – alongside the expert advice of Riccardo Cotarella – whose task it is to pursue a philosophy inspired by sustainability and low environmental impact.

Today the winery relies on a 86-acre vineyard surface, hosting two first-rate wine territories in the region: on the right bank of the Isonzo River in Farra, surrounding the winery, the former gives life to Pinot grigio, Chardonnay, Friulano, Sauvignon, Refosco dal peduncolo rosso, Merlot and Cabernet Franc; located on the friable rock of the Collio area (in dialect ponca), in the Gradisciutta estate, the latter is a soil of marine origin that lends salty sensations both to whites and reds: Pinot grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Ribolla gialla, Friulano and Merlot are grown here.

The vision of Borgo Conventi is to offer wines with a marked geographical identity and varietal expression, looking for elegance and balance between structure and pleasantness. Among the distinguished wines presented this year, the Tre Bicchieri award goes to the superb Friulano '20. Delightful hints of pear and yellow peach, followed by whiffs of linden tree and orange blossom, rhododendron honey and almond fruit. Enveloping, balanced and juicy mouthfeel that finishes with an intriguing pot pourri of aromas. It pairs perfectly with Prosciutto di San Daniele, semi-mature cheeses, prawns and shrimps, white meat and vegetable-based dishes: a wine for many occasions that boasts an unrivaled quality-to-price ratio.