La Ponca Winery Earns 95 Points and Multiple Awards in Just Four Years

La Ponca, a winery located in the foothills of the Collio region in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, has received significant national and international recognition for its wines. The winery, led by Alex Maccan since 2021, has quickly established itself as a notable producer in the area. In just four years, La Ponca has collected several awards and high scores from respected wine critics.

The Malvasia 2022 vintage has been especially successful. It was awarded the WineHunter Gold and included among the top wines in the 2026 edition of Le Guide de L’Espresso with a score of 94 points. American wine critic James Suckling gave it 90 points. The wine is noted for its distinctive acidity and aromatic profile.

Other wines from La Ponca have also received attention. The Friulano 2022 earned the WineHunter Rosso, scored 95 points in the Guida Vini e Ristoranti de L’Espresso, and received 91 points from James Suckling, Vinous, and Winemag. Winemag also included it in its Top 100 Best Italian Wines. The Sauvignon 2022 was recognized with the WineHunter Rosso and received 90 points from both Winemag and critic Antonio Galloni. The Chardonnay 2022 was awarded 90 points by James Suckling, who highlighted its balance.

The winery’s only red wine, Schioppettino 2020, achieved a score of 93 points from James Suckling, marking the highest rating he has given to a La Ponca wine so far. This wine is described as having aromas of wild berries and spices, with a structured palate and balanced tannins.

La Ponca’s approach to winemaking focuses on minimal intervention in both the vineyard and cellar. The team emphasizes respect for biodiversity and aims to express the character of their land through their wines. Their philosophy centers on allowing the natural qualities of the grapes to come through with as little interference as possible.

These recent awards and high scores reflect La Ponca’s commitment to quality and authenticity. The recognition from critics and guides supports the direction taken by Alex Maccan and his team since they began their new approach in 2021. The winery continues to focus on producing wines that represent the unique qualities of the Scriò Hills region.