History
Founded by Min Zorzettig in the 1960s as the Livio Zorzettig Estate.
Tunella Estate is today run by Min’s grandsons, Massimo and Marco, alongside their mother, Gabriella.
During the early ‘90s, the family resolved to regenerate the property and concentrate on the production of high-quality wines. Old vineyards were replanted, new land acquired, new varieties introduced and production was intentionally cut, with harvest taking place almost entirely by hand. A brand-new winemaking cellar and showroom were opened signifying the estate’s launch into the national market, with participation at trade fairs and competitions to promote the wines even further.
Following this investment and hard work in 2002, the family sensed that finding a new name for the estate was the final step needed to establish the winery’s identity in the international market. So Azienda Agricola ‘Tunella’ was born.
Tunella is named after the hillside hamlet, where the vines are grown. The specific rare mix of marl and sandstone soils on this hillside is known as ‘Ponca’ and is said to be the key to the quality, flavour and fragrance of Tunella’s wines.
The winery works with both classic international and local varieties, which each show the stunning, characteristic viscosity and purity of fruit for which the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia is famous. These exceptionally expressive wines are made with great care and attention from tiny yields.
The Vineyards
The vines are located on steep slopes within the D.O.C. of ‘Colli Orientali del Friuli’ in the far northeast, where Italy borders Slovenia and Austria.
The seventy hectares of land are protected from cold winds that blow from the north by the Julian Prealps and are pleasantly swept by the warm breeze from the Adriatic Sea just a few kilometres away.
The soils are composed of layers of calcareous marl and sandstone, known locally as 'ponca', which gives these wines their characteristic aromas and flavours.
The varieties grown here are Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, Verduzzo Friulano, Picolit, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, and Pignolo, as well as international varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
The use of chemicals is strictly limited to promote the health of the vines and the balance of the vineyard.
