Carso

About the wine

The Carso (or Kras) DOC, spanning the rugged limestone plateau between the provinces of Trieste and Gorizia, is a unique viticultural area defined by its challenging karst topography and thin 'terra rossa' soils. The denomination is notable for its bicultural heritage, allowing for bilingual labeling in Italian and Slovenian. The wines are characterized by their distinct mineral profile and structural integrity, often influenced by the harsh, windswept environment. The flagship wine is the Terrano, a vibrant, high-acid red made from the Refosco dal peduncolo rosso family, which thrives in the iron-rich red soils. Other permitted varieties include international grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon, as well as the indigenous Vitouska and Malvasia Istriana. The DOC mandates specific aging for Riserva categories, often requiring time in wood to soften the naturally high acidity and firm tannins of the local grapes, resulting in wines that are both rustic and deeply expressive of their limestone origin.

Grape varieties

Production & aging

The production area covers the entire territory of the Trieste province (Trieste, Duino-Aurisina, Monrupino, Muggia, San Dorligo della Valle, Sgonico) and parts of the Gorizia province (Doberdò del Lago, Monfalcone, Ronchi dei Legionari, Fogliano-Redipuglia, Sagrado, Savogna d’Isonzo). The landscape is defined by karst plateaus, rocky outcrops, and sinkholes (doline), with vineyards often situated on thin terra rossa soils or flysch-based terrain.