Villa Russiz

Villa Russiz at Russiz Inferiore combines a neo-Gothic residence, vineyards and a charitable institution founded by Countess Elvine de La Tour. The estate’s San Giuseppe chapel contains the mausoleum of her husband, Theodor de La Tour.

Why it matters

The estate links the development of Collio viticulture with a history of social care. Theodor de La Tour introduced French grape varieties to the property, while Elvine founded a school for girls in need in 1877. The institution later developed into the foundation and family home for children that continue the estate’s charitable work.

What to notice

The villa’s German-derived neo-Gothic design includes English neo-Tudor elements, two square towers with merlons and an ogival portico. Aurisina stone frames parts of the white exterior. Inside, the halls have coffered wooden ceilings and majolica stoves. The San Giuseppe chapel stands within the complex; its adjacent square-plan mausoleum has a polygonal apse. An avenue of chestnuts and cedars leads through the park, whose paths follow a spiral layout.

Context and history

Theodor de La Tour and Elvine, Baroness Ritter de Záhony, married in 1868, and her father gave them the Russiz hill. The villa was completed in 1869. The estate became associated with the introduction of French grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet. Elvine founded a school for girls in need in 1877. During the First World War, the complex served as a logistics command and a field hospital operated in the park, interrupting the school’s work. After Elvine’s death in 1919, Adele Cerruti restarted the institute; in 1945 it was renamed the Istituto Orfane di guerra “A. Cerruti.” Since 2009 the estate has been managed by Fondazione Villa Russiz, whose work includes a family home for children in difficulty. The cellar’s oldest section dates to 1877.