Villa Russiz Foundation

A 150-year love story

From the land to the children: the ethical heart of the estate

Mission and values

A wine with an ethical soul, from soil to bottle

There are events that change destinies, loves that are eternal breaths, bonds that go beyond everything. The Villa Russiz Foundation tells a story born of love — for the land, for wine, for children. Choosing Villa Russiz means tasting a wine that honours history, cultural traditions and the heritage of this territory.

Family Home — Casa Elvine

Every bottle supports a child

The Foundation manages the agricultural and property assets and invests the proceeds into Casa Elvine, a family home welcoming minors in difficulty through an individual educational project and a familial environment.

16 beds, 9 rooms, recreation halls, a library and an infirmary: Casa Elvine is not an institute — it is a home that gives children safety, care and a future.

The history

From 1868 to today

  1. 1868

    Elvine Ritter de Zahony and Count Theodor de la Tour marry. As a wedding gift they receive the Russiz estate, in the heart of the Collio Goriziano.

  2. 1877

    Theodor introduces the first French vine varieties to the Collio. Legend has it he carried them in bouquets of flowers for his wife. The wines reach the courts of Europe and of the Tsars.

  3. 1891

    Elvine founds an evangelical school at Russiz for the poorest children, open to Catholic girls as well. Over the years: a nursery, an evening school, a music school and a reading room.

  4. 1915–1918

    During the Great War Villa Russiz becomes a lazaretto and a military hospital. Countess Adele Cerruti serves as a Red Cross nurse and takes up Elvine's moral legacy.

  5. 1926

    Elvine's testamentary wishes are recognised by the Kingdom of Italy: the Regina Margherita orphanage is founded, later the A. Cerruti Institute for war orphans.

  6. 1959–1988

    Edino Menotti leads the rebirth of the vineyards and cellars. On 28 November 1964 Villa Russiz joins the newly founded Consorzio Collio (DOC in 1968).

  7. 2009

    Villa Russiz takes on the legal form of a non-profit Foundation, without ever interrupting its work of caring for children.

  8. 2012

    The family home Casa Elvine is established, approved to host 16 minors, with facilities dedicated to care and education.

Discover how to support the Foundation

Every experience, every bottle, every stay contributes to the work of Casa Elvine.

Contact us

— Frequently asked questions

About the Villa Russiz Foundation

Cos'è la Fondazione Villa Russiz?
È una Fondazione senza scopo di lucro nata nel 2009 dalla volontà testamentaria della contessa Elvine Ritter de Záhony. Gestisce il patrimonio agricolo e vitivinicolo della tenuta nel Collio, destinando i proventi alla Casa Famiglia Casa Elvine.
Quando è stata fondata Villa Russiz?
La tenuta è stata fondata nel 1869, quando il conte Theodor de La Tour ed Elvine Ritter de Záhony ricevettero in dono di nozze la proprietà di Russiz, nel Collio Goriziano.
Cos'è la Casa Famiglia Casa Elvine?
Costituita nel 2012, la Casa Famiglia è una struttura omologata per ospitare fino a 16 minori in difficoltà, ai quali vengono garantiti accoglienza, formazione e percorsi educativi.
Come si può sostenere la Fondazione?
È possibile sostenere la Fondazione acquistando i vini Villa Russiz, attraverso donazioni o partecipando agli eventi organizzati dalla tenuta. Per informazioni: villarussiz@villarussiz.it.