The adventure dates back to 1928, when Dario’s grandfather founded the family farm settled at the foothills of Monte Quarin, outside of Cormons. Its beginnings were modest - a small vineyard and a stall for animals - and without any particularly high ambitions. But with each generation came renewed interest, learnings and commitment to producing solely wine, and that of the purest expression of terroir. Following his father and grandfather before him, Dario Raccaro is now at the helm and alongside his sons Paolo, viticulturist, and Luca, oenologist, has propelled the estate to the recognition and great success it enjoys today.
In all, there are six hectares of land consisting primarily of “ponca” soil or “flysch di Cormons,” deep sedimentary deposits of marl, sand and stone from the Eocene epoch that lend a distinctive minerality to the wines. Friulano, Malvasia, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and a small plot of Merlot. And then there’s cru del Rolàt, the most ancient of areas, where vines planted in the early 900s and considered as the source of Friulano’s best rootstock produce a little wine - very little - and of superb quality. The best Friulano amongst Friulani. according to Livio Felluga. Collio Friulano “Vigna del Rolàt” is Dario’s flagship wine. Unfined, the wine follows nature’s rhythms, with little work done in the cellar. No wood, all stainless - the way it was done back in the day. Robust yet elegant - a red disguised as a white - decisive and with great personality.
His pro basketball days long behind him, Dario Raccaro now presides as President of the Enoteca di Cormons where, together with his fellow growers, he seeks to promote the spirit and wines of Collio, undoubtedly one of the finest white wine regions of Italy.
