Region & History

Grappa friulana is the pomace brandy from Friuli, and its story begins on wheels. Until 1897, the Nonino family's still stood on a cart and moved with the grape harvest from vineyard to vineyard. Then Orazio Nonino set up a fixed distillery in Ronchi di Percoto, and the pomace began coming to him instead. Percoto lies in the province of Udine, right in the heart of Friulian wine country.

The house became famous in December 1973. On the first day of the month, Benito Nonino and Giannola Nonino released the Monovitigno Picolit, the first single-varietal grappa, distilled solely from the pomace of one grape variety. According to the house, the fresh pomace was moved into copper stills — designed by Benito Nonino himself — within a few hours of pressing, turning rustic grappa into a refined spirit. Other distillers soon followed suit. Benito Nonino passed away in 2024.

Anyone buying Grappa friulana or Grappa del Friuli is getting pomace from grapes grown and vinified in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Distilling also takes place within the region. The name has been protected as an EU geographical indication since 1989 and applies to the whole territory, from the Alps of Carnia to the Adriatic. Friulana, then, is not a style but an origin.

Three further names enjoy the same protection. Williams friulano or Williams del Friuli denotes pear brandy, Kirsch Friulano denotes cherry brandy. Sliwovitz del Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a plum brandy made from Italian fruit, distilled in the region's distilleries.

The Nonino house in Percoto remains the region's best-known name. Alongside Giannola Nonino, the family includes daughters Cristina, Antonella and Elisabetta, who helped drive the fresh start of 1973.