Merlot Doc Collio Goriziano 2020 Azienda Agricola Draga

The Draga Farm has been managed for generations by the Miklus family, who work the fully grass-covered vineyards with the utmost respect for the environment—and above all, for the consumer—without the use of herbicides. The estate extends around the winery in the finest areas of the Collio region, divided into two plots:

Draga: The vineyards are planted on the sunniest slopes at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level and have always produced excellent harvests.

Breg: These vineyards are planted at an altitude of 220 meters above sea level and surround the winemaking cellar. They also enjoy good sun exposure but are swept by stronger winds, providing an ideal environment for the most resilient grape varieties. Yields are very low, between 40 and 70 quintals per hectare, to ensure the highest quality of grapes. Most of the work in the vineyards—such as harvest, thinning, and grape selection—is done by hand, respecting tradition and due to the steep slopes.

The terrain is hilly, consisting of layers of marl and sandstone, locally known as “ponka.”

Winemaking: The grapes are harvested and manually selected, then gently destemmed and left to macerate on the skins for 20 days in open-top oak vats with no temperature control. During this time, alcoholic fermentation begins, and manual punch-downs (submerging the skins into the must) are performed three times a day. The skins are then softly pressed, and the wine is transferred to oak barriques where it remains in contact with the lees for 6 months. This is followed by aging in stainless steel tanks for about 2 years and 6 months. The wine is not filtered. Bottle aging continues for at least 6 months.

The color is garnet red, and the wine features a broad, complex, and distinctive bouquet, with aromas of wild berries, cherry jam, and raspberry. The taste is persistent, mineral, tannic, and harmonious.

Food pairings: This can be a wine for meditation. It pairs well with aged cheeses, red meats, and game.

Notes: The wine may present natural sediment (lees).