The area where the great classic wines of Friuli are made is an irregular crescent shape about 10 kilometres from the regional capital, Udine.
The tour starts in Udine itself, leaving the city to the south in the direction of San Giovanni al Natisone, and then proceeds, after passing through the important towns of Búttrio and Manzano, by a left turn to Corno di Rosazzo, then up past Spessa and continuing through Cividale del Friuli, Faedis, Nimis, finally to Tarcento. Along the way a brief diversion can be made east to Prepotto and the important vineyard area of Cialla.

Udine and its osterias
Three nations in one city
A centre for commerce and industry, Udine plays the important role of go-between for communications between Austria and Slovenia. The city itself is built around a hill composed of morainic rock and has a distinctly Venetian flavour in its layout and the architectural style of its monuments and palazzi, reflecting the fact that for centuries it was part of the Venice's imperial hinterland.
Friuli's capital city has a particularly fascinating historical centre. Especially noteworthy is 16th-century Piazza della Libertà with its Loggia del Lionello, Torre dell'Orologio (clock tower) di Giovanni da Udine, and the Loggia di San Giovanni. The piazza is dominated by an imposing castle constructed in the XVI century by Giovanni Fontana and Giovanni da Udine on the remains of the old episcopal castle. Don't miss the Bishop's Palace, worth seeing for frescoes painted by the young Gian Battista Tiepolo.
The city also offers other more direct contacts with popular Friulan gastronomic culture, beginning with the Casa del Vino (in Palazzo Tritonio Moroldi-Beretta, located in Via Poscolle), where the region's wines are on display. Via Poscolle is also a good starting point for a tour of the Udine's traditional osterias - the pub-like locales where people meet for a ”tajut“ (the ubiquitous glass of Tocai) and for a snack.