Draga-Miklus

Mitja Miklus — Friuli Venezia Giulia

Draga-Miklus is a generational family winery located in the Collio region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, on the border with Slovenia. The family's winemaking history dates back to the early 1900s, with the modern era beginning in the 1990s under Milan Miklus. Today, the winery is run by his son, Mitja Miklus, who continues to build on the family's legacy with a modern and precise approach. Their work is a testament to the power of tradition and a deep respect for their unique, mineral-rich terroir.

A Philosophy of Purity and Terroir Expression

The philosophy at Draga-Miklus is a balance between tradition and innovation. They aim to produce wines that are a pure and honest expression of their unique terroir, with a commitment to sustainable practices.

• Sustainable Farming: The vineyards are managed with a deep respect for the environment, and they avoid the use of herbicides. The vineyards are covered with grass, which helps to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

• Two Distinct Labels: The winery produces two distinct lines of wine. The "Draga" label represents fresh, fragrant, and more modern wines vinified in stainless steel. The "Miklus" label, on the other hand, is a tribute to tradition, with wines that are fuller-bodied and undergo a long maceration and aging process.

• Purity of Fruit: Mitja's philosophy, as he has stated, is to "increase the attention to the vineyards and grape selection, as it is from the raw material that a high quality product is made."

The Vineyards and Terroir

The vineyards are located on the hills of San Floriano del Collio, a region with a unique terroir.

• Location: The vineyards are in the Collio DOC, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy.

• Vineyard Area: The domaine covers around 9 hectares, divided into two plots. The "Draga" vineyards are located at a sunnier, lower altitude, while the "Breg" vineyards are at a higher altitude and are more exposed to the wind.

• Grape Varieties: They work with a range of local and international grapes, including Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, and red varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Soils: The terroir is a complex mosaic of marl and sandstone of Eocene origin, a soil type locally called "ponca." This soil is rich in minerals and is the key to the wines' renowned minerality.

Winemaking and Process

The winemaking at Draga-Miklus is a meticulous process, with different approaches for the two labels.

• Harvest: The grapes are hand-harvested due to the steep slopes of the vineyards.

• Vinification: The "Draga" line is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. The "Miklus" line, which includes their famous orange wines, undergoes long maceration on the skins and is aged in large oak barrels or barriques for extended periods.

• Aging: The "Miklus" wines are aged for several years, with some cuvées spending up to 48 months in barrels before being bottled.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines of Draga-Miklus are known for their precision, mineral character, and complexity.

• Miklus Ribolla Gialla: An iconic orange wine that showcases the complexity and aging potential of the grape.

• Miklus Malvasia: Another long-macerated white wine with a rich and aromatic profile.

• Draga Friulano: A fresh and pure white wine that is a great expression of the local grape.

• Miklus Pinot Grigio: A unique orange wine that showcases the grape's surprising complexity when given skin contact.

Address & Contact

Draga-Miklus is a working winery. Visits are by appointment only.

• Address: Località Scedina 8, 34070 San Floriano del Collio (GO), Italy.