The CDO area of the Eastern Hills of Friuli is a wide territory in the hilly area around the province of Udine which extends, starting from the north, over the villages of Tarcento, Nimis, Povoletto, Attimis and Faedis, the eastern area of Cividale, San Pietro al Natisone Prepotto, Premariacco, Buttrio, Manzano, San Giovanni al Natisone, Corno di Rosazzo, covering a total of more than2000 hectares of vineyards.
The wines produced in this area are the result of a "terroir", that is, the particularly favorable combination of soil, climate and vine. The optimal climatic conditions have allowed to grow both native grapes (which have been cultivated here ever since) and other varieties from different parts of Europe, which got well adapted to the local environment, producing significant results in terms of quality. The wine production of the Eastern Hills, strictly limited in quantity, is characterized by manual harvest and a moderate use of the newest winemaking techniques. In this way, tradition and modernity blend together, on one side maintaining the integrity of the product and ensuring a high-quality level, but on the other also producing unique sensations thanks to the secular harmonious interaction between man, vine and land. The native grape varieties grown in this area are Malvasia, Picolit, Pignolo, Red stem Refosco, Ribolla Gialla, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe, Oselot, Friulian Tocai and Friulian Verduzzo. Some of these wines have a recorded history which is longer than two thousand years when, according to the historic Tito Livio, the ancient Romans established a colony in the area of Aquileia. This long- standing tradition has arrived till the present day: just think that nowadays the list of native grapes of Friuli’s Eastern Hills is the longest of Italy.