La Valentina

Cerasuolo – the name is derived from cerasa, cherry, and also describes the bright colour of this rosé made from pure Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The Di Properzio brothers have been vinifying it in Spoltore near Pescara since 1990: hand-picked, 18 hours of maceration, then saignée and slow fermentation at low temperature in stainless steel. No wood, no frills – just grape variety and terroir. Cherry red in the glass, fresh sour cherry, strawberry and a hint of pomegranate on the nose. Lively acidity on the palate, juicy flavour and a salty minerality reminiscent of the proximity to the Adriatic. Not a pale terrace rosé, but a wine with a backbone – and one of Italy's often underestimated rosés. SUPERIORE.DE

La Valentina's reliable classic with substance: single-varietal Montepulciano from organically farmed vineyards near Pescara. Rich ruby red colour with a purple hue in the glass. Ripe cherries, blackberries, a hint of violets and subtle spicy hints of pepper and herbs on the nose. Soft on the palate, with juicy fruit, balanced structure and a pleasant freshness on the finish. A typical representative of its origin - uncomplicated, powerful and remarkably balanced. SUPERIORE.DE

This characterful Pecorino comes from the gentle hills of the Colline Pescaresi, where cooler air currents from the Apennines mix with maritime freshness. Pale straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Delicately scented with lime, white peach, yellow melon and wild fennel. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with lively acidity, fine fruit and a hint of salty minerality. An elegant white wine with terroir expression - crystal clear, animating and authentically Abruzzese. SUPERIORE.DE

Top Italian rosé made from selected Montepulciano grapes from 45-year-old vines: Spelt Cerasuolo is a rosé with origin and character – obtained from organically grown Montepulciano in medium-high vineyards near Spoltore. The 2024 vintage was characterised by balanced ripeness and cool nights, which gives the wine freshness and clarity. After a short maceration period, the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks.

The name is reminiscent of the ancient grain fields that once covered the hills of Spoltore before vines took root here. This Trebbiano has been labelled "Oro" since 2017 – a claim that it lives up to. The Di Properzio brothers select only three hectares of old vines on compact limestone-clay soils near the coast. What distinguishes Spelt Oro from conventional Trebbiano is its radical patience: after fermentation, the wine rests for four months sur lie in stainless steel tanks, which are deliberately located outside the winery – exposed to natural temperature fluctuations. Then another year in concrete. It is bottled after fifteen months, unfiltered, unclarified, without any stabilisation.

2021 was a year with an ideal vegetation balance in Abruzzo: cool springs, a sunny but not overheated summer and healthy, late-picked grapes. This organic Riserva is traditionally vinified and matures for around 18 months in large wooden barrels and barriques. Deep ruby colour with a light purple hue in the glass. Juicy black cherry, blackcurrant, dried herbs, liquorice and a hint of dark chocolate on the nose. On the palate, it is denser and more structured than the previous vintage - with fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, spicy finish. A Riserva with a clear line and great inner balance. SUPERIORE.DE

Düsseldorf, ProWein, 1997: Two men meet between the trade fair stands and tasting zones: Stefano Inama, who has given Garganega white wines a new dignity in Soave, and Sabatino Di Properzio, who is in the process of leading Fattoria La Valentina out of the shadow of Abruzzese mass production. What begins as an industry skirmish turns into a friendship – and an idea that Inama formulates with a joke: "Montepulciano is the Barolo of the south. We should do something together." Sabatino's answer, without hesitation: "Facciamo." Three years later, the two buy a vineyard in San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore at a forced sale that nobody wants. 4.2 hectares at an altitude of 350 metres, completely south-facing, at the foot of the Majella National Park – and planted with an ancient Montepulciano clone that was abandoned long ago due to its low yields. The grapes form two-lobed panicles reminiscent of the silhouette of the African continent: the "Clone Africa". Small-berried, thick-skinned, with a concentration that more modern clones cannot match. The vines, now over fifty years old, are rooted in loamy mid-mountain soil under the traditional Abruzzese pergola – and yield just 45 quintals per hectare.

Bellovedere is one of La Valentina's iconic wines: Pure Montepulciano from the single vineyard of the same name in the Terre dei Vestini subzone, vinified only in exceptional vintages. 2021 was one such vintage: harmonious weather conditions with cool nights and a healthy harvest resulted in grapes with structure, depth and great aromatic balance. Fermentation takes place over 30 days in conical wooden fermenters, with ageing in a combination of barriques, tonneaux and cement – a finely balanced style between concentration and finesse.

The extremely successful "Binomio" joint venture between Fattoria La Valentina and Azienda Agricola Inama is entering a new round. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the La Valentina winery, a new wine was born, which is only produced in the best vintages and in limited small editions.