The Perusini company is among the 50 “happy few” registered by Veronelli in the Gotha of the historical Italian winemakers. In effect, in the latest century, when the fashion of French wines was still prevailing, Giacomo Perusini, grandfather of the current owner, began the selection and preservation of some indigenous grapes (especially Piccolit).
After his untimely death in World War I, his work was continued by his wife Giuseppina Perusini Antonini, painter, writer, but also skilled businesswoman, who begans the revival of regional wines in the domestic and international market. Her son Gaetano, professor at the University of Trieste, continued and expanded research on agriculture and traditional varieties, while the other son Giampaolo went on in particular with the selection of Ribolla Gialla.
Now the castle of Rocca Bernarda, historic home of the family, has passed by bequest of Gaetano Perusini to the Order of Malta together with part of the company, but the family tradition continues in the remaining part on the hill of Gramogliano lapped by the river Judrio until 1918, the border between Italy and the Austro–Hungarian monarchy.
The company now is run by Teresa, daughter of Giampaolo. Like her uncle and her sister, art historian but also passionate winegrower. In the company management, today, she is helped by her husband and sons Carlo, Tommaso and Michele. So, the family tradition continues on the hill of Gramogliano known for centuries, as the one of Rosazzo and the Rocca, as the cru hors class of the eastern hills of Friuli.
