Toc di Montone

• Profile: Vibrant and structured, bright citrus, almond, and a long minerally finish. Strong character with elegance.
• Food Pairing: Shellfish, pasta, mature cheeses, cured meats
• Serving Temp: 50-54°F (Lightly chilled)

Nikolas Juretic, hailed as the new star of Friuli, produces around 6,000 bottles annually from 2 hectares of 50+ year-old vines in the Italian Collio Goriziano, near the Slovenian border.

Nikolas was born into a family of winemakers whose ancestors cultivated land for the earls of San Floriano. His grandfather would be considered a biodynamic guru today, but for his generation living in harmony with animals and plants was simply normal. After studying oenology and traveling worldwide to gain experience at various estates—including a collaboration with Simonit & Sirch specializing in vine pruning—Nikolas started his own production in 2018 using his family's grapes. His parents, Elena and Robert, tend the vineyards while he focuses on cellar work. The colorful labels are paintings by Nikolas himself.

Farming & Cellar: The plots in Cormons—located in the "crus" of Montona, Pradis, and Bosc di Sot—are conducted following organic farming and permaculture principles. The soil is locally called Ponka or Flysch (sandstone, marl, rich in limestone). Grass is rarely cut to allow wild seeds to promote plant and insect diversity. Very ripe grapes are hand-harvested and processed whole without destemming; maceration on skins drives spontaneous fermentation. After pressing, must ages in wooden barrels or concrete tanks on lees for extended periods, then bottled without filtration and with minimal sulfites.