Friulian Ca'Bolani in Aquileia DOC harvests and vinifies vineyard plots separately, with varietal Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Aquilis.
The producer
Tenuta Ca'Bolani works in the Aquileia DOC of Friuli, where vineyard plots are harvested and vinified separately. Its range includes varietal Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, plus Aquilis, a varietal Sauvignon Blanc from estate vineyards at Molin di Ponte that receives bottle refinement. More than ten native and international grape varieties are grown across the estate, and the Selection range vinifies each variety separately to enhance its character. Roberto Marcolini has worked at Ca'Bolani since 2001 and is Estate Manager.
Known for
Plot by plot Friulian varietal wines
Notable facts
The Zonin family acquired Ca'Bolani in the 1970s as its first winery outside Veneto.
Roberto Marcolini joined Ca'Bolani in 2001 and became Estate Manager.
Bilateral Guyot is the estate's principal training system.
Ca'Bolani harvests and vinifies vineyard plots individually.
Aquilis is a varietal Sauvignon Blanc from estate vineyards at Molin di Ponte.
The story
Marcolini's Friulian Career
Roberto Marcolini was born in Gorizia, Friuli, in 1967. After graduating in oenology, he began his career by collaborating with various Friulian wineries. In 2001, he joined Ca'Bolani and moved through roles of increasing responsibility. That progression ended with the Estate Manager role. His career stayed within Friuli, from his first winery work to the estate role at Ca'Bolani. His first wine work and his later management title both belong to the same region.
Marcolini's Friulian Career
Roberto Marcolini was born in Gorizia, Friuli, in 1967. After graduating in oenology, he began his career by collaborating with various Friulian wineries. In 2001, he joined Ca'Bolani and moved through roles of increasing responsibility. That progression ended with the Estate Manager role. His career stayed within Friuli, from his first winery work to the estate role at Ca'Bolani. His first wine work and his later management title both belong to the same region.
From the atlas
Tenuta Ca'Bolani
Tenuta Ca'Bolani in Friuli joins a large, varied vineyard estate to plot by plot harvesting and vinification, with varietal wines from Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Place
Aquileia DOC in Friuli, northeastern Italy.
Estate scale
890 hectares in total, including 570 hectares of vineyards divided into 90 subplots.
Grape range
More than ten native and international grape varieties.
Bottles
Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Aquilis.
Defining practice
Vineyard plots are harvested and vinified individually.
The Producer
Ca'Bolani works in the Aquileia DOC appellation of Friuli, in northeastern Italy. Its range includes varietal Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, plus Aquilis, a varietal Sauvignon Blanc from estate vineyards at Molin di Ponte. Native and international grape varieties grow across the estate.
Place
Adriatic breezes moderate the hot summers at Ca'Bolani. The sun allows ripening, while the marked fall in temperature at night enhances the grapes' primary aromas. The climate sets ripeness and primary aroma before cellar choices enter the picture.
Soil And Site
The vineyards lie on alluvial, mineral rich soils between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps. The ground can vary from plot to plot across a large estate. Ca'Bolani harvests and vinifies each plot individually, preserving its distinct quality for the selection process.
Story
In the 1970s, the Zonin family acquired Ca'Bolani as its first winery outside Veneto. After the acquisition, the estate renovated and restored its old cellars and built a larger modern winemaking facility. Its Selection range vinifies grape varieties individually to enhance each variety's character.
Vineyards And Cellar
Vineyard densities reach up to 5,500 plants per hectare, with bilateral Guyot as the principal training system. At harvest, each plot is handled separately and vinified individually. Separate treatment preserves each plot's distinct quality for the selection process.
Wines
The range presents Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc as varietal wines. Aquilis is a varietal Sauvignon Blanc from estate vineyards at Molin di Ponte and receives bottle refinement. Bottle refinement is time spent in bottle after winemaking, allowing a wine to settle and develop. Aquilis can evolve for a long period.
In The Glass
Ca'Bolani Sauvignon Blanc opens with pink grapefruit, passion fruit and white peach, followed by hawthorn, tomato leaf, sage and mint. The palate is broad, with pronounced acidity that brings freshness, and the finish is intense and persistent.
Aquilis is Sauvignon Blanc from estate vineyards at Molin di Ponte. Its aroma combines fruit and vegetal character. On the palate, green notes run through the wine before a smoky finish.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Ca'Bolani Pinot Grigio 2023. It is a varietal wine made from one named grape variety, so the bottle names Pinot Grigio plainly. The aroma moves from ripe fruit and Golden Delicious apple to citron peel, then into acacia flowers and medicinal herbs. The palate is fresh and succulent, and savoury notes persist through the finish.
Anecdote
Roberto Marcolini was born in Gorizia, Friuli, in 1967. After graduating in oenology, he began his career by collaborating with various Friulian wineries. In 2001, he joined Ca'Bolani and moved through roles of increasing responsibility. That progression ended with the Estate Manager role. His career stayed within Friuli, from his first winery work to the estate role at Ca'Bolani. His first wine work and his later management title both belong to the same region.
Final Word
Ca'Bolani's range keeps grape variety and estate place in view. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc name the grapes, while Aquilis adds estate vineyards at Molin di Ponte.