Kaplja is Damijan Podversic's blend of Chardonnay, Malvasia and Friulano from the hills around Gorizia in Friuli. Extended contact with the skins gives these white grapes an amber colour and a more substantial texture. Long maturation turns the blend into a layered, savoury wine that is especially rewarding with food.
- Aromas: Ripe orchard fruit and aromatic floral notes, with the blend bringing both Chardonnay's breadth and the fragrant character of Malvasia and Friulano.
- Palate: Full and rounded, with a saline impression and gentle tannic grip from the skins. The flavours linger, making this a white to sip slowly.
- Style: A dry, full-bodied amber wine with depth, texture and a savoury finish; its rich colour does not indicate sweetness.
- Winemaking: The winemaking includes long skin maceration, followed by about three years in oak and a year in bottle. It is bottled without filtration, so a natural sediment is possible.
- Cellaring: Enjoy now if well stored. These textured wines can develop, but additional cellaring depends on the vintage and bottle condition; keep cool and dark and assess before holding longer.
- Food Pairing: Roast chicken, pork belly, mushroom dishes or mature cheese; its texture also works with gently spiced food and richer vegetable dishes.
If you enjoy a white with enough personality to carry dinner, Kaplja is a wonderful direction to explore. Give it a proper wine glass and let it open gradually. The colour gets your attention; the layers of flavour are what make you stay. Serve cool, not ice cold, in a generous glass; a little air can help the layers open.
Damijan Podversic
On Monte Calvario near Gorizia, close to the Slovenian border, Damijan Podversic has built a deeply personal interpretation of Friuli’s wine heritage. His work centres on the relationship between mature grapes, their skins and the character of the hillside. Ribolla Gialla is the defining variety, accompanied in the collection by Malvasia, Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Chardonnay, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon shaping the reds. The wines reflect a family endeavour shaped by patience, close observation and a conviction that the vineyard should determine what happens in the cellar.
Damijan is particularly associated with long skin contact for white wines, producing amber-coloured expressions with texture, savoury complexity and the capacity to unfold slowly in the glass. Ribolla Gialla is an especially compelling introduction to this approach. His contribution goes beyond the bottle: in 2019, the Nonino award recognised his work promoting Ribolla Gialla and recovering abandoned viticultural land on Monte Calvario. For wine lovers interested in orange wines with a strong sense of origin, Damijan offers a distinctive meeting of regional heritage, personal vision and time.
