Carrying a 6-Generation Italian Wine Legacy in Friuli—Before 30

Ilaria Felluga—sixth-generation winemaker and now the face of Marco Felluga and Russiz Superiore—joins The Wine Centric Show representing Friuli’s Collio region in northeastern Italy.

Collio was Italy’s third officially recognized wine consortium, after Chianti and Barolo. Yet despite its deep winemaking heritage and distinct terroir, the region remains unfamiliar to many American wine lovers.

At just 30 years old, Ilaria stepped into a legacy shaped by six generations of winemakers. After the unexpected passing of both her father and grandfather, she took the lead at two of Friuli’s most respected wineries—carrying forward a tradition rooted in place, family, and resilience.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What makes Collio one of Italy’s unique wine regions

• The Adriatic Sea’s role in the region’s microclimate

• Why more people should be drinking wines from Friuli

• How food, culture, and wine come together in Collio, Friuli’s flagship wine region 

• The pressure and privilege of inheriting a multigenerational legacy

• What it’s like leading two wineries as a young woman in Italian wine

This conversation is equal parts personal and informative—a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most under appreciated regions in Italian wine, and the next-gen voice helping bring it forward.

🎧 Watch now and listen on your favorite podcast platform. 👇