Vie di Romans 9-7-25

 

 

Vie di Romans wines resting in the domain’s cellar 
 

In Italy’s far northeastern corner, Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the country’s great hidden gems. Framed by the Alps to the north, Slovenia to the east, and the Adriatic Sea to the south, it’s a cultural crossroads where Latin, Slavic, and Germanic influences converge. This mix of history and geography gives Friuli’s wines their unmistakable edge—wines that are expressive, textured, and unlike anything made elsewhere in Italy.

Friuli is best known for its whites, often ranked among the finest in the country. Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia Istriana shine with purity and mineral drive, while Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay take on a distinctive Friulian character thanks to the region’s gravelly plains and hillside vineyards. Reds, too, carry their own intrigue—think peppery Refosco or elegant Schioppettino—varieties that rarely appear outside this corner of the world. Even within a single subzone like Friuli Isonzo, more than 17 grape varieties are permitted, reflecting the region’s deep spirit of experimentation. And in Collio and Colli Orientali, steep hillside vineyards yield whites with remarkable intensity and longevity. Friuli is also one of the birthplaces of today’s “orange wine” revival, where winemakers return to ancient traditions of fermenting white grapes on their skins for added texture and depth.

At the pinnacle of Friuli Isonzo stands Vie di Romans, a winery that has not only defined the region’s potential but has helped elevate Friuli’s whites onto the global stage. Owned by the Gallo family for over a century (no relation to the California Gallos), the modern era of Vie di Romans began in 1978 when Gianfranco Gallo took the reins. From the outset, Gianfranco adopted a vineyard-first philosophy, introducing meticulous viticultural practices and lowering yields to ensure fruit quality. He also made the bold decision to release his white wines one year later than required, allowing them to develop complexity and depth before reaching the market—something that set him apart in a region known for fresh, immediate-drinking whites.

The estate today comprises 57 hectares of vines, rooted in gravelly, mineral-rich soils shaped by ancient glacial deposits and the Isonzo River’s alluvial fans. A constant breeze from the Adriatic and the cooling influence of the Julian Alps create dramatic day-night temperature swings, preserving freshness and aromatic intensity in the grapes. The result? White wines with remarkable concentration, complexity, and longevity.

Gianfranco’s wines are not easy to pin down, and that’s the beauty of them. They’re textural, intense, and aromatic—with spice notes like ginger and turmeric, layers of candied citrus peel, ripe orchard fruit, and tropical overtones that echo mango, guava, and lemon curd. Varietals such as Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio are reinterpreted through the lens of terroir and time, delivering wines that are at once opulent and precise. They command your attention—and reward it.

Whether you’re a longtime Sauvignon Blanc drinker ready to level up, or a curious explorer seeking wines with a sense of place, Vie di Romans offers an unforgettable experience. Their wines are both cerebral and hedonistic—built for the table, for contemplation, and for teaching us that Italy’s whites can be just as profound as its reds.
 

5% off any 3-7 bottles of in-stock Vie di Romans wines
10% off any 8+ or more bottles of in-stock Vie di Romans wines
 
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Discount ends Wednesday, September 10th at 9am Pacific

 

In Stock and On Sale Now from Vie di Romans:
 
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Vinous 94 points  “The 2022 Chardonnay mixes richness with energy and savory with sweetness, as crushed yellow apples and gingery spice combine with minty herbs and wet stone. This is soothingly round and enveloping, quite textural, with waves of ripe
green melon and mineral-tinged apricots coasting across a stream of zesty acidity. The 2022 finishes youthfully tense, structured and spicy, with hints of baked pear and cardamom that resonate. While a bit backward today, the potential here is off the charts. Vie di Romans has decided to begin holding back their wines longer in the cellar to allow them to develop further before release, and I think this is a perfect example of how insightful that decision was.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “With nine months of élevage on the lees in barrique, the 2022 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Vie di Romans is a generous white with plenty of fruit weight. Prominent aromas of ripe peach and orchard fruit steal the show, but there are sweet notes of calla lily and hibiscus. There is even a savory hint of lavender, but the wine ends on a decidedly sweet note with a 14.5% alcohol content. Both attest to the hot 2022 growing season. This is an ample production of 66,500 bottles.”

Vie di Romans Chardonnay Caimpagnis Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $39.50 special, that’s $37.53 at 5% off and $35.55 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
Vinous 93 points  “The 2022 Chardonnay Ciampagnis is a seductress, tempting the imagination with a beguiling array of crushed nectarines infused with tropical citrus, hints of curry leaves and sweet, sweet spice. It impresses further with a balance of contrasts, mixing tart orchard fruits and notes of green citrus with cooling acidity and a flourish of apricot toward the close. Incredibly fresh and dramatically long, the Ciampagnis finishes with staining length and gently tannic, leaving a pleasantly tart sensation that lingers.”

Vie di Romans Dolée Friulano Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price:$44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 27 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2021 Friulano Dolée is exotically spiced and vibrant in the glass, with an intense burst of lemon meringue complemented by sweet mint and crystallized ginger. Silky and supple on the palate, this boasts ultra-ripe citrus and orchard fruits balanced by stimulating acidity. This finishes with outstanding length and is spicy with lingering tropical melon notes. While the 2021 comes across as sweet, it’s just a trick of the acidity and fruit, as this finished at only 1.2 grams of residual sugar.”

Vie di Romans Flors di Uis Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90 special, that’s $37.71 at 5% off and $33.94 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Vinous 93 points “Understated yet beautifully rendered, the 2022 Bianco Flors di Uis keeps the taster coming back to the glass with its pretty blend of lime sorbet, chamomile, spring flowers and white smoke. It flows across the palate with a sensation of liquid stone and minerals, elevated by lively acidity as a core of candied lemon is contrasted by tart green apple fruit. The 2022 finishes with a lingering concentration and tart citrus pith bitterness, yet through it all, the mouth is left salivating for more. Readers may have a hard time keeping their hands off in its youth, yet I advise patience. This Flors di Uis is still just a baby in its development and has bloomed beautifully with further bottle age. A fantastic showing. This is a blend of 55% Malvasia Istriana, 31% Rhein Riesling and 14% Friulano.”
 

Vie di Romans Estate Vineyards

Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Piere Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $49 special, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Piere is a spice bomb, holding my attention firm with a blast of ground ginger, cardamom, flint stone and curry before arriving at dried nectarines. It’s luxuriously silky yet lifted in style, with cooling minerality and acidity that motivates its floral-laced green citrus and melon tones. For all of its intensity, the 2021 finishes crisp and with a classically dry feel, as savory herbal tones resonate on. There is so much pleasure in this upfront, fruitfocused, yet truly seductive Sauvignon. “

Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Piere Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price:$44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Piere is wildly fresh, with a vivid blend of crushed nectarines and lime zest complemented by hints of rosemary and crushed stone. It’s silky smooth yet full of zesty tension, with masses of mineral-drenched green apples and hints of spice propelled by vibrant acidity. The 2022 leaves the palate staining in primary concentration, youthfully intense and gently tannic, leaving a spicy sensation that lingers on and on. The balance here is otherworldly, as is its drinkability factor.”

Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Vieris Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price:$44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Vinous 94+ points “The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Vieris opens slowly in the glass, holding back in its youthful state, with hints of lemon oil, rosemary and wet stone accentuated by sweet spice. This is seamlessly silky, almost oily in feel, with sapid yellow citrus
and savory herbal tones enriched by vibrant acidity. It finishes potent and spicy, leaving the palate saturated in an intense staining of primary concentration. The potential here is off the charts, but today, the Vieris is one of the most backward wines out of the 2021 portfolio.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “This is a beautifully expressive wine that benefits from lees aging in oak barrel. The Vie di Romans 2021 Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon Blanc Vieris (with 35,200 bottles released) has floral tones, plumeria, a touch of white pepper and ashy mineral notes. The Vieris shows less of the jalapeño that I got in the zesty Piere rendition of this same grape. This wine also offers some elegant petroleum-like hints that add to the overall complexity.”