Historical Foundation and Territorial Context

In 1965, Luigi Tomasella acquired this estate in northern Italy, on the border of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia-Giulia. The strategic location of the winery places it at a unique geographical intersection that has shaped its viticultural identity for nearly six decades.

Luigi’s son Paolo, who took over about 25 years ago, makes wines from both regions, establishing a distinctive approach to winemaking that leverages the characteristics of two distinct terroirs. The winery estate covers 150 hectares total, with 40 hectares under vine—30 hectares in Veneto and 10 hectares in Friuli.

Terroir and Viticultural Practices

The geographical positioning of Tenute Tomasella is fundamental to understanding its viticultural philosophy. Located between DOC Friuli and DOC Treviso, the estate occupies a unique borderland where two areas with very different geographical characteristics, cultures and traditions combine.

Tenute Tomasella’s approach to viticulture reflects a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The winery is currently undergoing organic conversion, aligning with contemporary trends toward ecological responsibility in wine production. Their viticultural methodology emphasizes the constant search for those details that make a good wine excellent.

Winemaker Simone Proietti has addressed the challenges of climate change adaptation, noting that “Our game is played on the defense of perfect phenolic maturation, which is fundamental for the maturation of phenols and tannins.” This focus on phenolic ripeness demonstrates the technical sophistication required in modern viticulture, particularly as rising temperatures challenge traditional harvest timing.

Regional Diversity in Wine Production

The dual-region approach creates a portfolio that reflects the distinct characteristics of each terroir:

Veneto Production

The Veneto holdings focus primarily on Prosecco production, leveraging the region’s renowned expertise in sparkling wine. The first wines made in Mansuè were an interesting line of sparkling wines made according to the long Charmat method, characterized by their pronounced effervescence. This foundation in sparkling wine production established the winery’s technical competency in handling delicate varietals like Glera.

Friuli Production

The path of change has recently led to the development of a line of wines from Friuli, expanding the portfolio to include the indigenous and international varieties for which Friuli Venezia-Giulia is renowned. The Friulano variety, in particular, represents the authentic expression of this northeastern Italian terroir.

The Wines

Tenute Tomasella Pro’ Rosé Extra Dry 2024 ($18)

This sparkling rosé represents the culmination of the winery’s expertise in Prosecco production, incorporating approximately 15% Pinot Nero with Glera. The wine exhibits classic characteristics of well-made Prosecco with additional complexity from the red grape component. Flavor profile includes wild strawberry, rose petal, and white flowers.

Recommended Pairings: Fresh seafood appetizers, light summer salads, soft cheeses, and aperitivo fare.

Tenute Tomasella Friulano Friuli DOC 2024 ($14)

Produced from seven hectares of vineyard in the Friuli zone, this wine exemplifies the authentic expression of the indigenous Friulano variety. The wine demonstrates the mineral-driven character typical of Friuli DOC terroir, with clean acidity and subtle fruit expression of pears and apples.

Recommended Pairings: Grilled Mahi or other white fish, asparagus, fresh mozzarella dishes, and herb-driven cuisine.

Tenute Tomasella ‘Rigole’ Rosso Trevenezie IGT 2022 ($20)

Named after the road where the estate is located, this red wine embodies the winery’s commitment to terroir expression. The production employs sustainable agronomic practices and hand harvesting, reflecting contemporary quality-focused viticulture. It’s a full-bodied red-fruit flavored Merlot with 15% Refosco that dances in the glass. Drink now or cellar for 8-10 years.

Recommended Pairings: Roasted meats, aged cheeses, mushroom-based dishes, and traditional Italian cuisine.

Tenute Tomasella ‘Chinomoro’ Chinato, Veneto ($40)

This unique aromatized wine represents an innovative approach to traditional chinato production. Made from reserve-quality Merlot that undergoes 12 months of oak aging before herbal infusion, the wine incorporates aloe, absinthe, calumba, coriander, rhubarb, and orange essences. The result is a complex, richly flavored wine with therapeutic properties and extended finish characteristics. Serve it room temperature or slightly chilled in a liqueur glass.

Recommended Pairings: Dark chocolate and aged hard cheeses. For dessert, add a few shots of the wine into an espresso, and then pour over vanilla ice cream.

Innovation & Tradition Expresses the Terroir

Tenute Tomasella represents a compelling case study in cross-border viticulture, demonstrating how geographical positioning can be leveraged to create wines that transcend traditional regional boundaries. The winery’s evolution from a Prosecco-focused operation to a diversified producer reflects both market demands and the inherent potential of its unique terroir.

The commitment to organic conversion and climate change adaptation positions the estate for sustainable future production while maintaining the quality standards established over nearly six decades of family ownership. Through technical innovation and respect for tradition, Tenute Tomasella continues to produce wines that authentically express their distinctive borderland terroir.