About Miani
Miani is a small, highly regarded estate based in Buttrio, in the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is run by Enzo Pontoni, who produces extremely limited quantities of both white and red wines from old vines. The estate is particularly known for its white wines made from Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia, as well as reds from Merlot and Refosco.
Prices are for take away and shipping. The wine bar serves from its own list.
The winery
About Miani
History
Miani is a tiny estate in Buttrio, in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, led by Enzo Pontoni. The name comes from his mother. The family had made wine for years before it began to bottle its own, with dates in the sources ranging from 1981 to 1985. Enzo took over full time in 1989 after the death of his father, and left an engineering career to do so.
The land and the vineyards
The estate started with about three hectares and grew to around twenty, of which eleven are owned and nine rented, though other sources give 10, 13 or 15. The vines are in Buttrio, Rosazzo and Corno di Rosazzo, between 150 and 300 metres above sea level, in a slightly warmer part of the Colli Orientali. Plantings include Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
The wines
The farming is organic and yields are kept very low. Wines are fermented and aged in small oak barrels. Filip and Buri are the names that matter: Filip is a Friulano, and Buri is a Merlot, and Miani also makes a Rosso. The wines are known for their depth and long life, and they are made in small quantities.
Today
Miani remains a one man estate in spirit, with Enzo Pontoni at the centre. Its bottles are few and sought after, and they show how serious white and red wines from Friuli can be.
- Founded
- First bottlings between 1981 and 1985 (sources differ)
- Vineyards (hectares)
- About 20 (sources range from 10 to 20)
- Main grapes
- Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Refosco
- Winemaker
- Enzo Pontoni