An Unconventional White Wine

CDF 951/133 2024 by Paolo Sandro Pettarin is a white wine made from 60% Friulano and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, interpreted through a winemaking approach that departs from the more conventional styles of Italian white wine.

What makes this wine distinctive is the choice of grapes, whole-bunch pressing and extended lees ageing. The Sauvignon Blanc used belongs to a different biotype from the one more commonly known: it produces smaller bunches and has an aromatic profile that differs from the classic varietal notes associated with Sauvignon. In this interpretation, it instead contributes a creamier texture and greater depth, enhanced by reductive ageing on the lees.

Friulano completes the blend, while gentle grape handling and extended cellar ageing create a wine in which freshness, texture and complexity seek a different kind of balance from that of more straightforward white wines.

The Winemaker's Notes

“What particularly caught our attention about CDF was the way the Sauvignon Blanc is interpreted: a biotype with smaller bunches and aromatic characteristics that differ from those we usually associate with this grape variety. Here, the wine is not dominated by classic varietal aromas, but by a creamier character that also develops through extended reductive ageing on the lees.

Another fundamental aspect is whole-bunch pressing. This choice helps preserve acidity and defines a distinctive style, far removed from that of the more common white wines produced in Italy. It is precisely this combination of freshness, structure and unconventional interpretation that convinced us to select it.”

— Yuri Stefani

Why We Chose It

We chose CDF 951/133 because it offers a different interpretation of white wine, both in the way the grapes are handled and in the final result.

We were particularly intrigued by the Sauvignon Blanc, an unusual biotype that departs from the grape's more immediately recognisable aromatic profile. Rather than the familiar varietal notes, it offers a more restrained and creamy expression, supported by the work on the lees.

The choice of whole-bunch pressing is equally important: preserving the grapes' freshness and acidity helps create a wine with a different palate dynamics, without relying solely on aromatic impact.

Spontaneous fermentation in used barriques and approximately 18 months of lees ageing complete the process. We selected this bottle because it expresses a distinctive, personal identity, demonstrating how winemaking choices can transform a wine's character, even when working with familiar grape varieties.

The Terroir

CDF 951/133 is associated with Capriva del Friuli, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, where the clay soils feature the characteristic ponca formation.

This geological formation consists of marl and sandstone of marine origin, deposited on the seabed millions of years ago and subsequently brought to the surface by tectonic movements. It is an important feature of Friuli's wine-growing landscape, providing a distinctive setting for vine cultivation.

The code CDF 951/133 identifies the vineyard reference; the year 1970 shown on the label indicates the year the vines were planted, while the wine itself is the 2024 vintage.

The Winery

Paolo Sandro Pettarin is a young winemaker who has built his path through years of hands-on experience, developing a personal approach to wine rooted in craftsmanship, experimentation and respect for the raw material.

A key stage in his development was his collaboration with Patrick Uccelli, alongside whom he worked as right-hand man both in the vineyards and in the cellar. This experience gave him first-hand insight into a winemaking philosophy based on minimal intervention, attention to natural processes and the desire to guide a wine without forcing its expression.

Paolo shares many of these principles, which he now reinterprets through his own viticultural and winemaking choices. His wines seek a balance between intervention and freedom of expression, driven by a willingness to experiment and to create distinctive bottles that stand apart from conventional styles.

Technical Details

Producer: Paolo Sandro Pettarin

Wine: CDF 951/133

Vintage: 2024

Grape varieties: 60% Friulano, 40% Sauvignon Blanc

Style: White wine

Alcohol: 12% ABV

Location: Capriva del Friuli, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Year the vines were planted: 1970

Soil: Clay with ponca, a formation of marl and sandstone of marine origin

Harvest: First ten days of September

Pressing: Whole-bunch pressing

Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation in used barriques

Ageing: Approximately 18 months on the lees under reductive conditions

Filtration: Light filtration

Bottling: April 2026

Sulphites: Minimal addition before bottling

Tasting Notes

Colour

A white wine to appreciate for its brightness and evolution, with nuances that may develop during extended ageing on the lees and in wood.

Nose

In this particular biotype, Sauvignon Blanc does not focus on the more explosive classic varietal aromas. The profile is more restrained, with creamy, developed notes that blend with the characteristics of Friulano.

Palate

Whole-bunch pressing helps preserve the grapes' natural acidity, creating a more taut and dynamic palate. Extended lees ageing adds texture and creaminess, while fermentation in used barriques supports the wine without overpowering its character. The result is a white wine that seeks a balance between freshness, volume and complexity, with a style that differs from more conventional interpretations of Italian white wine.

Food Pairings

Perfect to enjoy with:

• Herb or vegetable risottos

• Fish-based pasta dishes

• Oven-baked or grilled fish

• White meats

• Medium-aged cheeses

• Traditional Friulian dishes