Grape varieties planted are mainly local. For white wine, the Tocai Friulano variety is predominant, while Verduzzo Friulano  and Malvasia Istriana come next and other varieties only play a minor role. For red wine, the Merlot variety provides almost all the grapes. Old age is the common trait of the vines, from over forty up to eighty years old.

Vine age, which is essential to wine character and class; vine tending techniques, which aim at maximum concentration while preserving integrity and balance; low yields, which are under a third of those allowed under D.O.C. regulations; and finally selective picking by hand followed by strict sorting, ensure  that only  mature, healthy and intact grapes of the highest quality go into Clivi wines.