Villa Russiz Winery

The Winery History

Villa Russiz was established in 1868 with the marriage of Elvine Ritter de Zahony and Count Theodor Karl Leopold Anton de la Tour Voivrè. As early as 1877, Theodor introduced French vine varieties and developed pioneering techniques, showcasing his innovative vision. During World War I, from 1915 to 1918, Villa Russiz became a military hospital. In 1964, it became part of the Collio Consortium, obtaining DOC status in 1968. Between 1989 and 2006, the Cru line dedicated to Theodor De La Tour was launched, achieving significant international recognition. From 2010 to today, the company continues to create new blends and has received over 300 awards.

Villa Russiz is not just a winery but an architectural complex that tells the story and evolution of an entire era. The neo-Gothic style villa-castle is now home to offices and hosts courses for the MIB School of Management. The mausoleum, built in 1897, is inspired by Italian architecture. The park, designed according to 19th-century models, was restored between 2009 and 2010. The winery, built in 1877, retains its original core with modern equipment.

The Territory

Villa Russiz is located in the heart of the Collio region, a renowned wine-producing area in Friuli Venezia Giulia, internationally famous for its ability to produce wines of excellence. This DOC area is distinguished by a particularly favorable microclimate, thanks to the protection of the Julian Alps and the proximity of the Adriatic Sea, which together ensure balanced temperatures and a good thermal excursion. The soil of the Collio, known as “ponca,” is rich in minerals and calcium carbonate, derived from ancient marl and sandstone sedimentations. This composition not only favors drainage but also imparts a unique minerality and aromatic profile to the wines. The vineyards of Villa Russiz, cultivated on hills between 100 and 350 meters in altitude, benefit from excellent sun exposure. This environment, combined with careful viticultural practices, allows for the production of wines that best express the distinctive characteristics of the territory, with intense aromas and great elegance.

st estate of the family group, with 9.8 hectares of vineyards and about 2 hectares of olive groves. The vineyards of Tenuta la Fuga are divided into three parcels that range from an average age of about 30 years to the youngest of 10 years. In this estate, we also find a farmhouse spread over three levels: in the basement, there is the winemaking cellar, on the intermediate level the barrel room while on the first floor the farmhouse with the terrace overlooking the surrounding panorama.

The Wines

Villa Russiz offers a variety of fine wines. The whites are distinguished by their elegance and mineral freshness. The rosés are known for their elegance and finesse, with characteristic savoriness. The sparkling wines shine with their excellent effervescence, perfect for any celebration. The reds have a medium body, with fruity aromas and moderate tannins. The CRU wines represent the expressive excellence of the territory, designed to enhance each grape variety’s unique qualities.