Friuli, in Italy’s far northeast, often flies under the radar for travelers. But for those of us who appreciate fine wines, this quaint region tucked against the Slovenian border is not to be overlooked. Its most qualitative wine districts consist of verdant foothills hugging the Julian Alps, where a cool, damp climate dictated by the mountains and the Adriatic Sea create ideal conditions for producing bright, balanced wines. Friuli boasts a wealth of indigenous grapes as well as French-born varieties with such a long presence in the area that they, too, could be considered endemic. Wine is as deeply ingrained in Friulian culture as are other local specialties including prosciutto, polenta, chicories, and cow’s milk cheeses.
     The best way to experience the flavors of Friuli from the comfort of your home is through the wines of Vignai da Duline. At their small property, Lorenzo Mocchiutti and Federica Magrini embody the summit of responsible stewardship of the land through regenerative farming practices that are as old-fashioned as they are revolutionary. They practice the natural farming philosophy developed by the Japanese agriculturist Masanobu Fukuoka, which radically rejects modern, industrialized ways of working the land. As an example, they have colonized their vineyard rows with erba medica, a clone of alfalfa that aerates the soil while adding precious organic matter. It self-seeds, meaning their vineyard soil maintains itself without tilling or imported fertilizers. They have also planted trees all around their vine plots, creating an oasis of biodiversity crucial to a healthy ecosystem. Such a visionary approach to the land, coupled with tasteful, low-intervention winemaking, results in a singular set of wines radiating purity, vibrancy, and distinct regional flair.