Deep ruby red with garnet hues, the nose expresses a bouquet of bramble leaf and wild berries. Splendid cuvée of selected grapes, partially dried, aged in oak barrels. Powerful and velvety, on the palate it appears rightly tannic with excellent balance.

The passion and determination of a great wine man. In honor of Mario Fantinel, father of Luciano, Gianfranco and Loris, founder of the company.

Rare microclimate, focused clonal research and careful selection of the best grapes and peculiar enhancement of Friulian indigenous vine varieties create a limited production which embraces the special characteristics of the typical Collio vineyards. They are the whites and reds of the Sant ’Helena line, a superior expression of the quality of Fantinel wines.

Within the gorgeous frame of the vineyards in Vencò-Dolegna del Collio, a few steps from the boundary with Slovenia, Tenuta Sant ’Helena stands out. The mild climate, provided by the pro-section of the Julian Alps northwards and the openness to the Adriatic sea southwards and the fertile soil made up of sandstone marls from Eocene origin create a magnificent environment for grape growing. “Ponca” is, in the Friulian language, the name of this superb terroir. It represents the fundamental starting point from which particular production styles are developed, such as the cold maceration of white grapes, through a short contact with the skins, and a light resining of red grapes, that are enriched with structure and personality. This is how wines with an intriguing aromatic set, a robust and embracing body and astonishing evolution potentialities are created.

Pairing Suggestions: Excellent with red meats, game and aged cheeses.

Maturation: Grapes are harvested in late September and a part undergoes “appassimento” (drying method); fermentation in steel tanks and partial ageing in oak barrels.