Masciarelli

A vibrant cherry-pink colour with a silvery rim – this Cerasuolo is fresh, lively and has a clearly defined structure. It has aromas of red fruits: sour cherry, raspberry and a hint of rose petal. On the palate, it offers lively acidity, delicate fruit and a pleasant salty minerality. Ageing in stainless steel preserves the freshness and purity of the Montepulciano grape. An uncomplicated, characterful rosé, ideal with antipasti, seafood or balmy summer evenings – light, regional and reliably charming. SUPERIORE.DE

In the glass, this Trebbiano displays a pale straw-yellow colour with slightly greenish highlights – a visual hint of freshness and clarity. The nose opens with green apples, citrus notes and white flowers, underpinned by a subtle hint of mineral freshness. On the palate, it is finely structured and balanced: lively acidity, delicate fruit, clear expression and a dry, slightly salty finish. Maturation in stainless steel preserves its precision and varietal character. An uncomplicated, invigorating wine with a Mediterranean character – perfect with light dishes or seafood. SUPERIORE.DE

In the heart of Abruzzo, where snow-capped mountains and the Adriatic Sea lie just thirty kilometres apart, lies the foundation of a small revolution: San Martino sulla Marrucina, the village where, in 1981, Gianni Masciarelli realised his dream of creating world-class wines from the indigenous grape varieties of his homeland. The "Gianni Masciarelli" wine, named after him, now embodies the vision that this charismatic pioneer developed following a formative summer in Champagne – Abruzzo wines that set international standards. The hand-picked Montepulciano grapes for this DOC classic come from the historic Cocciapazza vineyard in Loreto Aprutino, 250 metres above sea level on clay-limestone soils. Marina Cvetic, Gianni's partner in life and in wine, continued the Gianni line as a tribute to the visionary founder, who was the first to introduce the Guyot system and French barriques to Abruzzo.

The grapes for this lovely cuvée, made primarily from Trebbiano and Pecorino, come from older vineyards. Ageing in stainless steel on the fine lees lends it structure and texture. Pale straw yellow with a delicate green hue. The bouquet reveals notes of ripe pear, citrus, white peach and subtle hints of hay and herbs. On the palate, it surprises with a refined density, lively acidity and vibrant fruitiness, which glides into a mineral, slightly salty finish. The balance between creaminess and freshness lends this white wine an appealing tension. A Bianco with a regional character, elegant expressiveness and a clear sense of origin: accessible yet multi-dimensional, a stylish example of Masciarelli's high standards. SUPERIORE.DE

Castello di Semivicoli is a great Rosso from the Chieti area and Masciarelli's first red wine cuvée. The vines in the vineyards of the province of L'Aquila were planted by Gianni Masciarelli in 2003. Medium-bodied purple red. On the nose black berries and nice peppery notes with some tobacco, violets and vanilla. Powerful and silky on the palate, polished tannin and a wonderfully fruity finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Cerasuolo certainly lives up to its name: a particularly deep, intense cherry red that makes this wine instantly recognisable. As part of the Villa Gemma range, it stands alongside the serious, powerful Riserva red wine – together with the Villa Gemma Bianco, it brings a fresh, carefree counterpoint to this flagship range. First produced in 1986. One hundred% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, vinified "in bianco" – without the long maceration period typical of red wine. The grapes come from the Cave and Schiavone vineyards near San Martino sulla Marrucina, at an altitude of 400 metres, on clay soil with a moderate limestone content, trained using the simple Guyot system, with vines around thirty years old and a high planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare. The harvest takes place in the second and third ten-day periods of October.

In the gentle hills between Gran Sasso and Majella, where the silhouettes of Abruzzo stand out against the sky, a palazzo baronale has been enthroned since the 17th century, telling a very special love story. Castello di Semivicoli – once the summer residence of Sicilian nobles, later a military hospital, then a derelict ruin – was purchased by Gianni Masciarelli as a gift for his wife and, after years of restoration work, was transformed into one of the most beautiful wine resorts in Abruzzo. The Pecorino vines that now surround the historic building are rooted at an altitude of 380 metres in the calcareous soils of the Provincia Chieti, which have always been prized for their mineral complexity. Here, where the maritime influences of the Adriatic meet the continental mountain climate, white wines of characteristic freshness and distinct territoriality are produced.

In the glass, this Trebbiano displays a pale straw-yellow colour with slightly greenish highlights – a visual hint of freshness and clarity. The nose opens with green apples, citrus notes and white flowers, underpinned by a subtle hint of mineral freshness. On the palate, it is finely structured and balanced: lively acidity, delicate fruit, clear expression and a dry, slightly salty finish. Ageing in stainless steel preserves its precision and varietal character. An uncomplicated, invigorating wine with a Mediterranean character – perfect with light dishes or seafood. SUPERIORE.DE

There are grape varieties that have to wait decades for a visionary to recognise their true potential. Trebbiano d'Abruzzo was one such forgotten variety until Gianni Masciarelli started a revolution in 1981 that changed the face of Abruzzo viticulture forever. He was the first producer in the region to introduce the Guyot training system and French barriques, driven by a philosophy he called "innovazione continua" – continuous innovation in the service of tradition. Today, the vineyards surrounding the historic Castello di Semivicoli combine the fruits of this vision with the poetry of a place that has itself experienced a rebirth. Here, between Gran Sasso and Majella at an altitude of 380 metres, two very special Trebbiano vineyards take root: one with vines over forty years old that still embody the original vigour of the variety, and a younger one that Gianni planted at the end of the 1990s using the modern Guyot system – a symbiosis of grown wisdom and innovative spirit.

In 1991, the personal and professional relationship between Gianni Masciarelli and his wife, Marina Cvetic, gave rise to the range that still bears their name today. The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is their best-selling wine, available in 55 countries, and has played a key role in strengthening the reputation of this grape variety worldwide – today it is regarded as one of its most recognisable and distinctive expressions. The grapes come from four distinct vineyard sites around San Martino sulla Marrucina, at an altitude of 400 metres: Colle di Paolo, Fonte Filippo, Schiavone and Colle Rosina, on medium-textured clay soil, trained using the Guyot system, with vines aged between 15 and 30 years.

In the heart of Abruzzo, where snow-capped mountains and the Adriatic Sea lie just thirty kilometres apart, lies the foundation of a small revolution: San Martino sulla Marrucina, the village where, in 1981, Gianni Masciarelli realised his dream of creating world-class wines from the indigenous grape varieties of his homeland. The "Gianni Masciarelli" wine, named after him, now embodies the vision that this charismatic pioneer developed following a formative summer in Champagne – Abruzzo wines that set international standards. The hand-picked Montepulciano grapes for this DOC classic come from the historic Cocciapazza vineyard in Loreto Aprutino, 250 metres above sea level on clay-limestone soils. Marina Cvetic, Gianni's partner in life and in wine, continued the Gianni line as a tribute to the visionary founder, who was the first to introduce the Guyot system and French barriques to Abruzzo.

Ofena lies seventy kilometres from the main winery, at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif, in the province of L'Aquila. Due to the summer heat, the village is nicknamed "the oven of Abruzzo", as the Gran Sasso completely blocks the cooling sea breeze. And yet the vineyard is situated on a well-exposed high plateau, around 550 metres above sea level, on crumbly, gravel-rich alluvial terraced soils reminiscent of Bordeaux, which ensure excellent drainage. This dramatic night-time temperature fluctuation, combined with the unique soil composition and the altitude, transforms this seemingly contradictory site into a jewel in the Masciarelli portfolio.

In 1991, Gianni Masciarelli took a step that was somewhat unusual for the Abruzzo region: he planted Chardonnay, a grape variety with no tradition in the region, and dedicated the resulting wine to his wife, Marina. 35 years later, an exclusive tasting at the Castello di Semivicoli demonstrated just how far-reaching that decision had been – in a direct comparison with a Chardonnay from Burgundy, produced by Albert Bichot, the Abruzzo wine proved its own ageing potential and depth. This special edition celebrates precisely this anniversary. The grapes come from the Fonte Filippo and Bucchianico vineyards near San Martino sulla Marrucina, at an altitude of 350 metres, where the vines are trained using the traditional Abruzzese pergola method combined with Guyot. Fermentation takes place – unusually for the region – directly in wood for 15 to 30 days – a demanding process that lends the Chardonnay structure and depth right from the start.

In Abruzzo, Trebbiano was long regarded as a simple "workhorse" grape variety, hardly worthy of any serious reputation. Gianni Masciarelli saw something different in it: the most organoleptically interesting variety in the entire Trebbiano family, capable of standing stylistically alongside the great white wines of Burgundy, whilst retaining the unique vigour and character of its Abruzzese origins. In 1991, this wine was created, and it has since held its own amongst the most distinguished Italian white wines. Thirty-five years later, a tasting in direct comparison with a Burgundy Chardonnay from Albert Bichot confirmed precisely this vision.

In 1981, Gianni Masciarelli founded his winery in San Martino sulla Marrucina. Today, his daughter Miriam Lee Masciarelli continues the vinification and ageing of the flagship wine with passion and expertise – a continuity that lends this wine its special dignity. The estate itself describes this Montepulciano as majestic: an original, never predictable interpretation of Abruzzo's great indigenous grape variety, born of continuous research and a spirit of experimentation, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, and from a long study of Abruzzo's viticultural techniques and terroir. This wine has played a key role in rightfully establishing Montepulciano on the world map of viticulture.

In 1981, Gianni Masciarelli founded his winery in San Martino sulla Marrucina. Today, his daughter Miriam Lee Masciarelli continues the vinification and ageing of the flagship wine with passion and expertise – a continuity that lends this wine its special dignity. The estate itself describes this Montepulciano as majestic: an original, never predictable interpretation of Abruzzo's great indigenous grape variety, born of continuous research and a spirit of experimentation, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, and from a long study of Abruzzo's viticultural techniques and terroir. This wine has played a key role in rightfully establishing Montepulciano on the world map of viticulture.