Ronchi di Cialla, meaning "hills of Cialla," is first and foremost a family business. However, to call it such does not do justice to the extraordinary story and accomplishments of the very special Rapuzzi family. In 1970, wife and husband Dina and Paolo Rapuzzi founded Azienda Ronchi di Cialla with the intent to grow only grapes indigenous to Friuli that would produce wines capable of aging. At that time, the grape Schioppettino was classified as extinct by the Italian government. A herculean effort was needed to recover Schioppetino vines (painstaking work undertaken by Dina and Paolo that involved traversing the valley and nearby areas to discover 70 surviving wines), and later to combat Italian bureaucracy to restore the right to legally plant Schioppettino vines. In 1976, Dina and Paolo were awarded the prestigious Risit D'Aur award for their work in preserving the Schioppettino varietal, and are credited with briging it back from the brink of extinction. Today, sons Pierpaolo and Ivan Rapuzzi continue to work in their parents' tradition under the watchful eye of Dina, who remains closely involved in the business.

Ronchi di Cialla is certified as a "Biodiversity Friend" by the World Biodiversity Association for their commitment to maintaining a highly biodiverse environment while pursuing other facets of sustainability and preservation through their agricultural practices. The Rapuzzi family is committed to using natural practices with minimal interference and environmental impact. Pruning and fungicide treatments are tightly controlled and administered judiciously and thoughtfully. The care and thoughtfulness exercised in the vineyards are carried through in the winemaking and aging processes. The result of this unwavering commitment to history and quality are truly beautiful wines that have an undeniable sense of place.