Discover Friuli's best kept secrets

Discover Friuli's best kept secrets

Exploring the Excellence of Livon: A Journey Through Friuli

They say 'Syrah', we say 'Shiraz'! Reading Discover Friuli's best kept secrets 3 minutes

 

Nestled in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Aziende Agricole Livon has been a benchmark for quality since 1964, when founder Dorino Livon bought his first Collio vineyard. Today, the family continues his legacy through eco-friendly, low-yield viticulture across their estate. Situated between the Alps and the Adriatic, the vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate. The family prioritizes hand-harvesting and sustainable farming, crafting distinct wines across their Cru and Gran Cru lines that highlight northeastern Italy's rich terroir.

Highlighting the Cru line, Solarco tells the story of harmony between two iconic regional white grapes: Friulano and Ribolla Gialla. Grown in the sunny hills of Ruttars, this blend was created by the family to capture the balanced climate of their estate. By marrying mountain freshness with coastal warmth through partial oak aging, Livon crafted a wine that reflects the true, welcoming spirit of everyday Friulian hospitality.

Also in the Cru line, Manditocai carries a deeply emotional local history. Made from 100% Friulano, its name comes from mandi (the Friulian word for "goodbye"), created as a tribute to the ancient grape Tocai Friulano when an EU legal ruling forced winemakers to stop using "Tocai" on labels. Livon created this bottle as a sweet farewell to a historic name, preserving the grape's identity for future generations.

 

Moving to the Gran Cru line, Tiareblu translates to "Blue Earth" in the local dialect—a direct nod to the unique ground beneath the vines. In the Ruttars vineyards, the specialized Ponca soil (marl and clay) catches the bright sunlight in a way that gives the hillsides a cool, bluish tint. By planting Bordeaux varieties here, the Livon family proved that international grapes could adopt a uniquely Friulian sense of home.

 

Rounding out the Gran Cru line, Picotis is a tale of survival. It is made entirely from Schioppettino, an indigenous red grape that nearly went extinct in the 1970s when it was briefly banned under European planting laws. The Livon family joined a small group of local winemakers to rescue these ancient vines. Today, Picotis stands as a proud symbol of Friulian resilience, cultivated in the dense clay soils of San Giovanni.

 

Fun Fact: The name Schioppettino derives from schioppettare ("to pop"), as its thick skins literally crackle when bitten fresh off the vine. Paired with the mineral-rich Ponca soil that gives Tiareblu its "blue earth" signature, these Cru and Gran Cru bottles stand out by offering an authentic taste of Friulian history.