Vodopivec, Origine 2018

Vodopivec Origine 2018 is your gateway into Paolo Vodopivec’s singular world of Vitovska, the stark limestone of the Carso plateau, and the magic of skin-contact winemaking. Crafted as an “orange” wine from the local Vitovska grape, Origine is both pure and precise, offering a more approachable entry point to Paolo’s deeply expressive, long-aged wines. Unlike his amphora-aged bottlings, Origine is raised entirely in wood, highlighting a different facet of this unique terroir while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Origine 2018 shows a luminous, deep straw to light amber hue, typical of extended skin contact yet still remarkably vibrant. The aromatics are lifted and detailed, with notes of citrus peel—think tangerine and lemon zest—interwoven with small white flowers, chamomile, dried herbs, and a subtle hint of crushed stone. On the palate, the wine is saline, textural, and beautifully composed. The maceration gives a gentle tannic grip, but it is polished and smoothed by long aging in wood, creating a creamy, almost waxy mouthfeel that never feels heavy. Flavors of citrus oil, preserved lemon, wild fennel, and almond play against a strong mineral backbone, leading to a long, sapid finish that feels both coastal and stony. 2018 is drinking wonderfully now, but the structure, acidity, and phenolic backbone suggest several more years of positive evolution in bottle, gaining complexity and savory nuance with time.

Production
Origine is sourced from Vitovska vines rooted in the rugged, wind-swept Carso plateau of Friuli, where thin topsoils sit over hard limestone and the maritime influence of the nearby Adriatic meets the fierce Bora winds. This harsh yet distinctive terroir naturally limits yields and concentrates character in the grapes. Paolo Vodopivec farms with deep respect for the land, working organically and often by hand, ensuring low yields and healthy, expressive fruit. The grapes are harvested manually at optimal ripeness, then fermented on the skins to craft this traditional macerated white. Unlike his amphora-aged wines, Origine is vinified and aged solely in large wooden casks, allowing for a gentle micro-oxygenation that refines the tannins and texture without masking the grape or place. Minimal intervention and low sulfur use keep the wine as transparent and authentic as possible.

Food & Serving
Origine 2018 is a versatile gastronomic wine that shines with thoughtfully prepared, flavorful dishes. It pairs beautifully with raw and marinated seafood (crudo, ceviche, octopus salad), shellfish, and dishes featuring fennel, citrus, or fresh herbs. It also works wonderfully with alpine and semi-hard cheeses, charcuterie, roasted poultry, grilled vegetables, and earthy dishes such as mushroom risotto or root vegetable gratins. Serve slightly cool, around 12–14°C (54–57°F), rather than ice cold, to allow the aromatics and texture to fully express themselves. A short decant of 20–30 minutes helps the wine open up, especially when first poured, revealing more floral and savory nuances.

Producer
Paolo Vodopivec is one of the reference names in Carso and a benchmark for serious, terroir-driven Vitovska. Working in a stark and dramatic corner of Friuli, near the Slovenian border, he has devoted his career to exploring the full potential of this indigenous white grape through traditional maceration and low-intervention cellar work. Since the 1990s, Vodopivec has helped place Vitovska and the Carso plateau on the international fine wine map, particularly among lovers of orange wines and distinctive, site-expressive whites. His dedication to organic farming, meticulous hand work in the vineyards, and careful use of amphorae and large wood in the cellar have earned him a cult following and a reputation as one of the most thoughtful artisans in the region. Origine represents the most immediate and accessible expression of his philosophy—an ideal introduction to both the producer and the place.

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