According to the Treccani, the meaning of “evolution” is closely linked to “unfolding, development, and orderly movement toward a goal.” In biological terms, it indicates the progressive accumulation of modifications in a living being, leading to changes in form and function over time, as described by the theory of evolution. More broadly, it refers to a process of growth and change that occurs over time, such as in economic growth or the development of a culture. Well, in Collio there are those who say no to Evolution. Or rather, there are those who said no to Collio Evolution 2025, the first edition of the event organized by the Collio Consortium, which has already become the denomination’s most important annual appointment. That someone is the Produttori di Cormòns cooperative.
The absence from the event of a Consortium member winery that produces a full 2.2 million bottles from over 300 hectares of vineyards, with grapes from about 100 members, cannot go unnoticed in the eyes of those accustomed to asking questions and seeking answers. Nor can it end up on the list of secondary matters, given that everything went smoothly—indeed, brilliantly—even without a territorial “big” (if only in numerical terms). The success of Collio Evolution 2025, which saw 53 wineries and more than 400 visitors participate to celebrate Friulano, makes the situation even worse.
PRODUTTORI DI CORMÒNS SKIPS COLLIO EVOLUTION 2025
Because in Italy, the responsibility of wine cooperatives is only discussed when they have something to ask from the State. Funds. Financing. Compensation. That’s when the litany about responsibility toward members, the supply chain, the socio-economic repercussions of their potential collapse, and their safeguarding role begins. All perfectly valid points, of course.
But what do certain cooperatives give back to a sector in which they operate—moreover—with significantly more favorable tax treatment than private wineries? Why did the Produttori Cormòns cooperative refuse Collio Evolution 2025? Why did the Cormòns cooperative decide to skip the main promotional event of its own territory, organized precisely in Cormòns? Is this a decision by management or by the members? And, in the first case: were the members consulted on the decision?
THE CRUX OF THE MATTER: MANY QUESTIONS AND A STRONG SUSPICION
Questions to which we may only find answers after this editorial has landed in the right hands. Meanwhile, the suspicion—unseemly, ugly, sad, even foul-smelling—is that Produttori di Cormòns’ decision to send back the invitation to Collio Evolution 2025 is purely a “political” retaliation, linked to other issues.
Does it have to do, perhaps, with the infamous “Collio Bianco from native grapes” project trumpeted far and wide with renewed energy in the pre-election period that led to the presidency, in April 2025, of the young Luca Raccaro? Does it have to do with the intelligent reaction of the newly elected Board and the new Collio Consortium assembly, which promptly gave the green light to the technical committee for the new wine, perhaps leaving the Cantina di Cormòns management and its circle somewhat caught off guard?
CONSORTIUM INVITATION REFUSED
Meanwhile, President Luca Raccaro’s comment dispels any doubt about the chronology of events: “The Consortium invited all wineries in the territory to participate in Collio Evolution, as is always its modus operandi. The Cantina Produttori unfortunately chose not to participate, and this disappointed us because the goal of such events is to show ourselves in all our facets, and it’s important for the territory to have our most representative members in terms of production present.” To an explicit request to participate, Produttori di Cormòns answered no. In Collio, Evolution is not for everyone.
Collio (in) Evolution without the Produttori di Cormòns cooperative. https://www.cormons.com/.
