Antico Broilo Friulano 2025
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Propetto
100% Friulano
Antico Broilo represents a thoughtful, small-scale estate that reminds me why artisan winegrowing matters. Father and son, Giovanni and Massimo Duri, have remained steadfast in their commitment to organic farming, native yeasts, patient cellar aging, and an unwavering respect for its historic vineyards. Central to this philosophy is a dedication to Friuli’s indigenous grapes, producing wines from Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Schioppettino, and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
Their approach is one of restraint, allowing the vineyard, the vintage, and the distinctive character of each native variety to speak with clarity and authenticity. To me, Antico Broilo stands as an inspiring example of how dedication, patience, and respect for nature and tradition can produce wines of remarkable integrity and a true sense of place.
In the glass, the 2025 Friulano shows a clear pale straw color. The nose is expressive yet restrained, opening with wildflowers and ripe pear, displaying both freshness and the aromatic character of the variety.
On the palate, it is crisp, refreshing, and well balanced, with well integrated acidity carrying flavors of lemon and fresh citrus. A subtle note of toasted almond, develops through the mid-palate and finish. A gentle glycerol richness provides additional weight and a silky texture without compromising the wine’s freshness. The finish is long, clean, and persistent, leaving citrus, almond, and subtle savory notes behind.
The Friulano grapes are grown in Prepotto, in the eastern hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia just a few miles from Slovenian border. Here, the landscape is characterized by rolling and steep hillsides and the region’s distinctive ponca soils, alternating layers of marl and sandstone. These relatively lean, well drained soils encourage deep rooted vines, while the hillside terrain provides drainage and exposure.
Prepotto’s position between the Julian Alps to the north and the Adriatic Sea to the south also plays an important role. Alpine influences bring cooler air into the hills, particularly at night, while the Adriatic helps moderate temperatures. This combination encourages gradual ripening while preserving the grape’s natural acidity and aromatic freshness.
The result is a Friulano that brings together ripe orchard fruit, citrus, subtle richness, and the variety’s characteristic almond note, while retaining the freshness and terroir that reflect its hillside origins in Prepotto.
This is the first of several tasting notes I’ll be sharing from Antico Broilo, exploring their wines and the indigenous grapes of Friuli. In the coming weeks, I’ll take a closer look at their Ribolla Gialla, Schioppettino, and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, each offering its own expression of the estate and the distinctive terroir of Prepotto.