2024 Murva di Renata Pizzulin Friulano

The wines produced by Alberto Pelos at Murva in Isonzo are in a world of their own, out of step from the rest, in a thrilling, pure, focused way. Isonzo is a lesser-known or perhaps less understood region of Friuli. Nestled just south of Collio, a 10 minute drive from Due Del Monte, the terroir at Murva in Moraro is diverse. To the southeast, the Isonzo River cuts through the region, creating an amalgamation of soil types. Alberto describes the soils of Moraro as dolomitic in nature, with small pebbles rich in iron and aluminum, high sand and clay content, specifically called ferretto. He farms 4 hectares of vineyards that he owns and 1 hectare that he farms in the center of town that is part of a caretaking project to provide outreach and an outlet for troubled youth within the community. 

Farming practices at Murva are sustainable and forgo interventions, with extensive work in the vineyards, all by hand. The vineyards — Teolis, Paladis, Melaris, Murellis, Monuments, and Corvatis — are historic names of the places, given by farmers and agricultural workers and passed down among generations. These vineyard names appear on each bottling, as each wine is a single vineyard, a pure expression of site. In tasting the wines of Alberto Pelos, it is clear that his many years of winemaking at the iconic estate Vie di Romans influenced his style; however the Murva wines have distinct purity, salinity, and energy that are thrilling discoveries for any lover of Northern Italian whites.