Marco Felluga, pioneer of Collio wines, has passed away at the age of 96

Goodbye to Marco Felluga, the giant of Friulian wine passed away on Wednesday, April 3, at the age of 96. Trained in the 1950s at the renowned Conegliano School of Oenology, he is credited with significantly enhancing the quality of regional production, turning his establishment into a benchmark for the entire area. He was so enamoured with Collio that he left Istria; his family originated from a dynasty of winemakers that began in Istria in the second half of the 1800s. He founded his eponymous winery in 1956 in Gradisca, and in 1967 he expanded with Russiz Superiore in Capriva.

The Value of Anticipation

Marco Felluga was a true innovator for Collio. One of his insights was to highlight the extraordinary aging potential of Collio whites, introducing to the market some selections that are still released several years after the harvest. He honored a territory that has proven to have an extra edge along the way. A charismatic and determined personality, he passed on his values to his son Roberto, who sadly passed away prematurely in 2021, and to his granddaughter Ilaria, the sixth generation, who has already demonstrated her ability to lead the winery. Condolences and support go out to the family from Gambero Rosso.