Nekaj is Damijan Podversic's Friulano from the Gorizia hills of Friuli, near Italy's border with Slovenia. The local grape is given the estate's long skin-contact treatment, resulting in an amber wine with more body and structure than a conventional white. It offers a distinctive way to explore a familiar regional variety.
- Aromas: A mature, aromatic profile with honey-like suggestions and savoury white-fruit character; the fragrance unfolds gradually rather than presenting a simple burst of youthful citrus.
- Palate: Textured and elegant, with a honeyed impression balanced by a characteristic bitter edge and a mineral finish. The palate remains dry despite its aromatic richness.
- Style: A dry amber Friulano with substantial texture and a patient, food-oriented character; expect some natural sediment rather than polished clarity.
- Winemaking: Friulano ferments on its skins in oak vats, followed by around three years in larger oak casks and further bottle ageing. Unfiltered bottling preserves texture and allows natural sediment to remain.
- 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 with herbs, mushroom pasta or mature cheese; substantial vegetarian dishes are also a good match for its savoury texture.
If Friulano usually means a crisp aperitif to you, Nekaj opens another door. It is a wine to sit with, serve alongside dinner and watch develop in a generous glass. A rewarding bottle for anyone who enjoys texture and a little adventure in their whites. 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.
