Estate
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300 years of history and entrepreneurial success
In the heart of a landscape ordered by work and softened by time, lies the LEA Winery estate. A place where nature, architecture and entrepreneurial vision coexist in equilibrium, drawing a new geography of wine: respectful of the past, attentive to the present, projected towards the future.
This Friulian land, furrowed by the winds and nourished by alluvial soils, was chosen not only for its wine-growing vocation, but also for what it represents: an authentic space, still capable of telling tales of concreteness and rigour, such as that of Jacopo Linussio, the great 18th-century textile entrepreneur and merchant who built the Casa Bianca, the manor house that is now the centre of the estate..
Linussio is credited with the creation of an ante litteram ‘working village’, founded on an idea of productive community and shared beauty. That heritage, made up of order and vision, is today the foundation of the LEA Winery project.
The village and the winery
The Casa Bianca, known in Friulian as Cjase Blancje, stands at the centre of the estate as a discreet and imposing presence. Next to it is the old village, with its sober architecture, rural chapel and walled vegetable gardens: a small agricultural microcosm in which beauty is functional and never ostentatious.
The new facilities, dedicated to production and business management, were designed in harmony with the context.
The winery, barrique cellar and offices fit respectfully into the landscape, thanks to the contemporary yet essential architecture, consistent with the identity of the place.
Some original elements have been retained, restored and integrated: not out of nostalgia, but for consistency. Because every part of the process, from the'building to the bottle, must reflect the philosophy of the'company: cherish what is deserving and innovate what is needed.
Versatile and cutting edge winemaking equipment works side-by-side with traditional ageing materials, in a play of measured contrasts that restore complexity and precision to everyday work.
THE TERROIR
With a total of 132 hectares, of which 105 planted with vines and farmed organically, the LEA Winery estate is one of the most solid emerging businesses in the Friuli Grave DOC area.
The land is generous but never ordinary, with alluvial soils – composed of sand, gravel and marl – that favour drainage and imprint the wines with a distinct freshness, savouriness and minerality, connotations that translate into a recognisable stylistic elegance..
The agronomic planting has been designed with optimal density criteria and farming systems in order to enhance the peculiarities of each plot. Nothing is left to chance: every action stems from a careful analysis of the soil and climate, with the objective of building a precise and recognisable local identity.
The care for, preservation and cherishing of the most promising old vineyards are evidence of an approach that combines agricultural sensitivity with a long-term strategic vision.
Cultivating here means listening to the soil, respecting its rhythms and accompanying its expression all the way to the wine glass, without forcing it.
DOC FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA
DOC DELLE VENEZIE
PROSECCO DOC
IGT VENEZIA GIULIA
OUR VARIETIES
Pinot Grigio
Ribolla Gialla
Glera
Traminer
Pinot Nero
SAUVIGNON BLANC
CHARDONNAY
MERLOT
VIOGNER
The agronomic system is designed with an ideal planting density and training method to produce iconic wines that fully reflect the identity of the territory. This approach is based on a careful analysis of the soil to understand its potential and needs, with great attention to the preservation and care of the most promising historic vineyards.
I PIWI - UVE INDIGENE
Piwi
Cabernet Volos
Merlot
Sauvignon Rytos
Sauvignon Nepis
Soreli
Among the most significant agronomic choices made by LEA Winery is to grow some PIWI varieties, which are ‘resistant’ grape varieties – the result of crossing traditional varieties with others resistant to the main fungal diseases.
Using these varieties drastically reduces the need to treat the vines, and is a concrete step towards more sustainable winegrowing, in perfect continuity with the organic certification already obtained for the entire vineyard.
But beyond the technique, the choice of PIWI varieties is an expression of a cultural attitude: a desire for a future in which environmental compatibility is a prerequisite, and not a secondary objective.
