Bastianich is an Italian winery founded in 1997 in Friuli Venezia Giulia by Joe Bastianich — a restaurateur, writer, and television personality, known among other things as co-host of the American edition of "MasterChef" alongside Gordon Ramsay. Joe grew up in a family with deep gastronomic roots — his mother Lidia Bastianich is one of the most recognizable ambassadors of Italian cuisine in the United States. Friuli Venezia Giulia — wines with character Joe Bastianich recognized the potential of Friuli's rolling hills long before the region became fashionable. The vineyards are located in two distinct areas of the DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli appellation. The first — on the hills of Buttrio, in the warmest, southernmost part of the appellation. The warm influence of the sea produces full-structured grapes here, from which cru wines are made: Vespa Bianco, Vespa Rosso, Plus, and Calabrone. The second area lies 10 miles to the north, near Cividale, where cool mountain winds favor the cultivation of grapes for fresh, aromatic wines from the Vini Orsone line.