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La Ponca Friulano Collio DOC 

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)

Varietal Composition: 100% Friulano

Location: Collio DOC, Friuli Venezia Giulia

Specialty Factor: Limited production yearly

Cellar Aging: Drink now or cellar until 2026

A Few More Details

100% Friulano; alcohol: 14%; Pacial estate vineyard at the northern boundaries of Collio DOC at 920 feet; rare “ponca” soil of layered marl and sandstone; hand harvested 1st half of September; soft pressing and cold settling; fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks; aged 15 months on lees in stainless steel tanks and 10 hl oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Straw-yellow with golden green shades. Notes of flint, pear and apricots, with a scent of wildflowers and mint in the background. Solid structure backed by a good salinity, which makes it pleasant and fresh, with tropical fruits and a hint of almond on the finish.

Food Pairing Suggestions!

• Vegetarian: Risotto with asparagus or zucchini blossoms; Polenta with sautéed mushrooms; Frittata with herbs and ricotta; Caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes and basil
• White meat: Roast chicken with thyme and lemon; Veal scallopini with sage (echoing local saltimbocca); Turkey breast with herb stuffing and pan jus
• Seafood: Grilled prawns with lemon and herbs; Scallops with citrus beurre blanc; Branzino (Mediterranean sea bass) with olive oil and fennel; Clams or mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, and parsley

About:

La Ponca is located on the gentle slopes of Scriò, a hamlet perched at the northern boundaries of the Collio region in Friuli Venezia Giulia, north-eastern Italy. From here, lines of terraced vineyards unfurl surrounded by local broadleaf forests, while the eye catches the pale blue profile of the Alps in the distance, and the glimmering sea to the south. The balance between land, man and nature is given by a tacit agreement, in which respect for the ecosystem plays a fundamental role in the creation of identifying wines, the standard of the territory. La Ponca bears the name of the land on which it stands: “ponca” is a special rocky substrate composed of layers of sandstone alternating with marl of silty origin. The rock formation of the ponca took place 65 million years ago, but its structure is tender and fragile, continuously menaced by the elements and invasive human interactions. To prevent its erosion, it is necessary to employ a sustainable approach towards agriculture, which is embodied by the team at La Ponca with heart and soul. In this border place, privileged by unique pedoclimatic conditions, the entrepreneur and dreamer Alex Maccan has identified the perfect opportunity to give life to his ambitious wine project: 110 acres of woods, vineyards and arable land to help make Collio recognized in Italy and in the world as a territory highly suited to the production of fine white wines.

COTE BONNEVILLE DUBRUL VINEYARD Off-Dry RIESLING

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)

Varietal Composition: 100% Riesling

Location: Yakima Valley

Specialty Factor: Limited production 

Cellar Aging: Drink now or cellar until 2032

A Few More Details

“I continue to absolutely love what Kerry Shiels does with her Cote Bonneville releases. These are classic, impeccably made, age-worthy wines that merit attention.” -Jeb Dunnuck

The oldest block in DuBrul Vineyard, these vines were planted in 1982. They continue to produce beautiful fruit. 

Tasting Notes

The 2024 Côte Bonneville Riesling radiates grace, charm, and joy. Lemon chiffon, jasmine, honeysuckle, lychee, white peach, papaya, and pineapple all jump out of the glass. Zippy acidity keeps each sip bright and fresh, with a playful hint of green apple candy. The gentle sweetness on the finish lingers, leaving you smiling and saying, “More Riesling, please!”

Food Pairing Suggestions!

• Seafood: Spicy shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa; Seared scallops with citrus glaze; Thai-style grilled fish with lime and herbs; Sushi rolls with spicy tuna or tempura shrimp
• Poultry & Pork: Roast duck with plum or orange sauce; Grilled chicken thighs with honey-ginger glaze; Pork tenderloin with apple chutney; Korean BBQ pork or gochujang-marinated wings
• Spicy or Sweet-Heat: Thai green curry or yellow curry; Indian butter chicken or chicken korma; Vietnamese lemongrass chicken; Spicy Chinese stir-fry (like Szechuan shrimp)
• Vegetarian: Roasted squash with tahini and pomegranate; Sweet potato and black bean enchiladas; Pad Thai or veggie lo mein; Summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce

About:

Recognizing the uniqueness of DuBrul Vineyard, we founded Côte Bonneville in 2001 to showcase this special site. Producing around 2500 cases per year, we are pleased to be able to show the range of grapes and terroirs within the vineyard, while maintaining the exceptional attention to detail to each and every lot. By combining traditional winemaking techniques with cutting edge science, we craft estate-grown DuBrul Vineyard grapes into world class wines. The exceptional winemaking and DuBrul Vineyard character shine through year after year. The wines of Côte Bonneville have been recognized by consumers and critics alike. The pedigree of DuBrul Vineyard and Côte Bonneville wines can be seen in our consistently high ratings.