Ronchi di Cialla 'Ri-Nera' Schioppettino 2022 Friuli, Italy

Style 😋: A fragrant red brimming with wild blackberry, violet, cracked black pepper, and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a clean, polished texture, this is a fresh, floral, and spice-laced take on Schioppettino — perfect for chillable red fans or lovers of alpine finesse.

Producer: Ronchi di Cialla

Grape 🍇: Schioppettino (aka Ribolla Nera)

Place 🌎: Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli, Italy

Story 📖: Ronchi di Cialla is a family estate nestled in the remote, forested hills of the Cialla Valley, just a few miles from the Slovenian border. Founded in 1970 by Paolo and Dina Rapuzzi, the winery is best known for rescuing Schioppettino from extinction — lobbying to reauthorize its planting and leading the charge to revive Friuli’s native varietals with a commitment to organic farming and minimal intervention.

The 2022 'Ri-Nera' (a nod to Schioppettino's other name, Ribolla Nera) is fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel to emphasize its delicate aromatics. It’s aged for 12 months on the lees in steel tanks, then bottled after a short resting period. No oak, no makeup — just the pure, lively essence of this historic grape.

Pairing 🍽: Mushroom and ricotta ravioli with sage butter