Petrussa is an acclaimed family estate led by brothers Paolo and Gianni Petrussa in Prepotto, a celebrated subzone of Friuli Colli Orientali in northeastern Italy. Prepotto is the historic birthplace of Schioppettino, also known locally as Pobocalza, an ancient, thin-skinned native red grape that was nearly extinct before dedicated local growers revived it in the late 20th century. The estate's steep, terraced vineyards are planted on ponca, the famous Friulian soil made of alternating layers of Eocene marl and sandstone, and benefit from dramatic diurnal temperature shifts.

The 2021 "Schioppettino di Prepotto" is the estate's flagship red, carrying the official Schioppettino di Prepotto subzone designation, which mandates strict yield limits and extended aging. Hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel before spending 24 months in French oak barrels (barriques and tonneaux), the 2021 vintage leads with Schioppettino's unmistakable aroma of green and black cracked peppercorns, followed by wild crushed blackberries, red plums, violet petals, leather, and damp volcanic earth.

Why You'll Love It

• The definitive expression of Schioppettino from its native village subzone of Prepotto.
• Famous for its exotic, intoxicating aroma of freshly cracked green and black peppercorns.
• Combines medium-bodied weightlessness with deep savory complexity and vibrant natural acidity.
• Cellar-worthy structure backed by fine-grained tannins that will evolve beautifully over the next 10 to 15 years.

How To Serve It

• Serve at cool room temperature, between 60°F and 63°F.
• Decant for 45 minutes to an hour to let the wood spice and peppery aromatics unwind.
• Pour into burgundy stems to gather its expansive, peppery bouquet.
• Pairs well with roasted pork shoulder with rosemary, duck ragù, braised venison, or aged Montasio cheese.