The site on which the Inn stands has deep roots: born as a farming hamlet in the 17th century, its name derives from the Friulian dialect colmello (or colmèl) which historically indicated a small grouping of rural houses.

Borgo Colmello isn’t a stopover, it’s a destination. It’s the place where noble gestures meet the land, created by a family whose purpose is to make beauty their life’s work.

Three Generations Dedicated to Beauty

The rebirth of Borgo Colmello, inaugurated in 2025, is the fulfillment of the Bortolotto Possati family’s dream. A name synonymous with absolute excellence in the international hotel industry since 1930, when great-grandfather Arnaldo acquired the legendary Hotel Bauer in Venice. In the 1960s, the vision expanded with the Colmello di Grotta winery in Farra d’Isonzo, a business passionately conceived by his daughter Luciana.

Today, the tradition continues through the third generation: Francesca Bortolotto Possati—a patron, writer, and interior designer—together with her daughter Olimpia, who have created Locanda Borgo Colmello. A return to the roots, where the hospitality expertise developed in Venice meets a timeless aesthetic, creating a charming destination that resonates with the warmth of a private residence.

Hospitality: 6 Charming Rooms

The Inn welcomes its guests to six rooms with a vintage allure, where the scent of wooden floors blends with the spectacular views of the vineyards, framed by windows as if they were canvases.

The interior design is a refined dialogue between reclaimed pieces and contemporary comfort. Many elements bear Francesca’s signature and were crafted by skilled local artisans, such as the sculptural headboards and Art Nouveau lampshades. The connection to Venice is evident in the details: the precious Rubelli fabrics decorating the walls and the vintage armchairs reupholstered in velvet are straight from the Bauer’s history.

Organic Breakfast: A Ritual of Local and Artisanal Flavors

Waking up at the Locanda is a slow and precious ritual, served in a cozy room warmed by a fireplace in the winter or in the enchanting garden in the summer.

The organic breakfast, prepared by Alessandra every morning, is a tribute to the finest artisans in the area. From freshly baked cakes and croissants to baked goods from Panificio Pagna, to the renowned D’Osvaldo hams, to products from the Cividale Social Dairy and a wide variety of jams and spreads, every flavor is a tribute to Region’s quality. An identity that continues in the refined table setting with handmade ceramic plates from the Friulian Ceramiche Fabbro.

The Enoteca: The Temple of Colmello di Grotta Wines

The vibrant and convivial heart of the Borgo is its Enoteca, a taste laboratory where wine culture takes center stage.

Here, guided by host Lorenzo, guests can explore the depth of the Colmello di Grotta winery’s wines, along with refined local and international selections. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Venetian salons, reinterpreted with the warm and sincere hospitality of Friuli.

Events, Food and Wine Shopping, and Wine Experiences

Right across from the Enoteca, a carefully restored old farmhouse reveals new treasures. On the ground floor is the shop, where you can purchase olive oil and wines from the Colmello di Grotta Farm; while the first floor features a large, fully equipped room, perfect for meetings and private events.

The Borgo Colmello experience continues beyond the walls of the inn. A three-minute walk takes you to the Colmello di Grotta winery, offering guided tastings and immersive tours of the world of premium viticulture. Just next door is the beautiful Museum of Documentation of Friulian Rural Life, managed by the Municipality of Farra d’Isonzo, to which inn guests have free admission. Numerous bike paths all around make Farra d’Isonzo a paradise for cycling.

The Secret

The large painting dominating the event hall conceals an inextricable connection to Venice: it is a work by Giuseppe Cesetti and originally adorned the eponymous room at the Hotel Bauer. Cesetti was the architect of the “Bauer” aesthetic, blending international luxury with 20th-century Italian art; a cultured and sophisticated taste that today lives on, intact, at the Locanda.

Useful Info

Locanda Borgo Colmello
Strada della Grotta 8
Farra d’Isonzo
34072 Gorizia
Tel. +39 3762707147
borgo@borgocolmello.it

Rooms: from €150 with organic breakfast included
Tasting: 4 wines + 4 cicchetti from €30
Tasting + winery tour: from €50