Vie di Romans is based in the heart of Friuli Isonzo, in Mariano del Friuli, where winemaker Gianfranco Gallo produces intensely flavoured single-vineyard whites from 65 hectares. The stony, glacial soil drains quickly and concentrates minerals, while cool easterly winds create a large gap between day and night temperatures. This slows ripening, allowing grapes to accumulate flavour. Gallo's deliberate low yields and late-harvest approach deliver wines with unusual richness and individuality—released a year later than local practice to reach full maturity.

About Vie di Romans

Gianfranco Gallo's 65-hectare estate in Isonzo produces around 250,000 bottles annually, with vineyards planted at modest altitude in red-hued, medium-to-deep soils. The terroir is the foundation: glacial, stony ground acts like a sponge, absorbing rainfall and holding minerals that express themselves clearly in the glass. An easterly wind is the climate's defining feature, creating significant temperature swings that prevent overripeness and allow grapes to develop complexity rather than simple sugar. This diurnal range is essential to the house style.

Gallo's winemaking philosophy prioritises this ripeness without heaviness. He picks late, achieves low yields per vine, and ferments without rushing. The result is wines with obvious intensity and texture—not simply concentrated fruit, but balanced extraction. His willingness to hold wines back, releasing them a year later than neighbouring producers, reflects confidence in their structure and longevity. This patience separates Vie di Romans from volume-driven producers in the region.

The house signature appears across all wines: mineral precision, textural richness, and individual vineyard character. The Dessimis Pinot Grigio undergoes brief skin contact before fermentation, acquiring a coppery ramato colour and nutty texture rarely seen in mainstream versions. The Piere Sauvignon Blanc is rounder and fuller than the lean style common elsewhere, yet retains the region's characteristic freshness. The Flors di Uis blend—Malvasia Istriana, Friulano, and Riesling Renano—displays striking minerality and a fragrant, complex nose. The Chardonnay gains spice from judicious oak use, remaining elegant rather than heavy.

Vie di Romans Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Dessimis Pinot Grigio (91 points) is the entry point—its coppery skin-contact colour catches the eye, but the real appeal is texture and nuttiness that distinguish it from pale, thin Pinot Grigio. The 2023 Piere Sauvignon Blanc (93 points) is a rounder, fuller Sauvignon that works where lighter versions fail, scoring 94 from Raffaele Vecchione and 93 from James Suckling. It suits richer dishes and warmer meals. The 2022 Flors di Uis (91 points) blends Malvasia Istriana, Friulano, and Riesling Renano into a striking, mineral wine with a fragrant nose—complex enough for food, interesting enough to drink alone. The 2024 Chardonnay (92 points) brings spice from oak without heaviness, offering elegance and structure that age-worthy white drinkers recognise. All four are single-vineyard or precisely blended expressions, never simple or one-dimensional.

Food Pairing

Dessimis Pinot Grigio suits shellfish, white fish with butter, and creamy risotto. Piere Sauvignon Blanc handles asparagus, goat cheese, and herb-forward dishes. Flors di Uis pairs with seafood pasta, aged cheeses, and aromatic herb-crusted fish. The Chardonnay works with roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, and light cream sauces. All four age gracefully and reward cool storage.

What makes Vie di Romans wines different from other Friuli producers?

Gianfranco Gallo achieves low yields, picks late, and releases wines a year later than local norm. Single-vineyard focus and mineral-rich, glacial soils deliver intensity and individuality unavailable elsewhere in the region.

Why does the Dessimis Pinot Grigio have a coppery colour?

Short skin maceration before fermentation—a deliberate winemaking choice that adds texture, nuttiness, and colour. Most Pinot Grigio skips this step.

Which Vie di Romans wine should I buy if I want something complex and mineral-driven?

The Flors di Uis blend (Malvasia Istriana, Friulano, Riesling Renano) shows striking minerality and fragrant complexity. The Piere Sauvignon Blanc (93 points) is also mineral and more structured than typical versions.

Who makes Vie di Romans wines?

Winemaker Gianfranco Gallo produces Vie di Romans wines from his 65-hectare estate in Mariano del Friuli, Friuli Isonzo, north-east Italy. He focuses on single-vineyard whites with deliberate low yields and late harvesting.

What style of wine does Vie di Romans make?

Vie di Romans makes intensely flavoured white wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Friuli blends. The house style emphasises mineral precision and textural richness; the 2023 Piere Sauvignon Blanc scored 93 points for its rounder, fuller character.