Casa Vinicola Antonutti is a winery from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Four generations of the Antonutt family have been growing grapes in the heart of the Grave del Friuli region for just over a hundred years. The winery now owns around fifty hectares of vineyards there. The Meduna, Cellina and Taglimento rivers have brought large quantities of dolomitic limestone into the zone, and the area itself is sheltered from the north winds, but benefits from its proximity to the sea. The Antonutto vine grows in a place called Barbeano, where the soil is rocky. There is a big difference between day and night temperatures, so the grapes can be harvested later, when they are already saturated with aromas.

Winemaking

Harvesting is carried out when the grapes reach optimal ripeness; each variety is picked and vinified separately. After harvesting, the Merlot grapes are dried, then cleaned and finely crushed. Maceration and fermentation take place in stainless‑steel tanks, after which the wine ages in the same vessels for over 12 months. After vinification, Pignolo is aged for 12 months in large oak casks. Before bottling, the wines are blended, and the final wine matures in bottle for some time, developing a more harmonious and juicy character.

Tasting notes

The wine shows a ruby‑red colour. It is sweet, warm and pleasantly fresh on the palate, filled with flavours of red fruits and spicy herbs. The finish is long and rich. The aroma is dominated by notes of small ripe red fruits and berries, hints of licorice, blackcurrant and subtle Mediterranean herbs.

Recommended serving temperature: 18–20°C.

Food pairing

Excellent with red meat dishes, game and hard cheeses.