Zaccagnini

From Bolognano to the world

In 1978, Ciccio Zaccagnini founded a winery in the small town of Bolognano in Abruzzo, which from the very beginning wanted to do more than just produce wine. Inspired by his passion for art, culture and tradition, he merged agriculture with aesthetics and moulded the winery into one of the most important symbols of modern viticulture in central Italy. The credo "Wine, the art of man" is not only written on the label, but has become the life motto of a house that is now recognised worldwide.

It all began in 1984 with the presentation of a project by the world-famous Düsseldorf artist and art theorist Joseph Beuys. It was entitled "Difesa della Natura" (Defence of Nature). This already says a lot about the philosophy of this great winery, which has always been an integral part of the Abruzzo wine world.

Departure and transition

What began as an ambitious family project developed into one of the leading wineries in Abruzzo under the management of son Marcello Zaccagnini. With around 300 hectares of vineyards and an annual production of around three million bottles, Zaccagnini set standards for quality, continuity and branding. A significant step followed in 2022: the majority of the Zaccagnini winery was sold to the holding company Argea, a merger of major Italian wine brands led by the private equity fund Clessidra. Marcello Zaccagnini retains a 20% stake in his life's work. The family also retained around 60 hectares of the vineyards in its own ownership. The winery is ideally equipped for the future: Marcello remains a brand ambassador and strategic partner. Together with his children, who are also active in the company, he forms an important link between tradition and the future.

Between the Apennines and the Adriatic

The vineyards around Bolognano are situated in a privileged location at the foot of the Majella massif, in the immediate vicinity of the national park. Here, continental freshness from the mountains meets mild Adriatic influences, a microclimate that particularly favours autochthonous grape varieties. The vineyards are spread over a wide range of altitudes and soils and offer ideal conditions for varieties such as Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Pecorino and Passerina. Sustainability, greening, minimal intervention in the vineyard and careful use of resources are firmly anchored in the business model.

Diversity with a clear signature

Zaccagnini's portfolio is broadly diversified, but thoughtfully structured. At its heart is the internationally renowned Il Tralcetto line, recognisable by the small piece of vine on the neck of the bottle, which has become an icon. The San Clemente line stands for long-lasting, characterful wines with depth and concentration. Chronicon offers modern interpretations of classic grape varieties with a high drinking flow and terroir reference. The Selections line focuses on single-vineyard and speciality bottlings, while Aster stands for freshness, accessibility and suitability for everyday drinking. Clematis is a rare dessert wine made from dried Montepulciano, a meditative sweet wine with expression and structure. The range is complemented by the Le Terre dell'Abate line. Despite the diversity of the portfolio, the house's signature remains clear: regional grape varieties, fine fruit, drinking pleasure and authenticity.

A story bound in vines

The famous Tralcetto tie on the neck of the bottle was originally a spontaneous idea, a tactile symbol of the vineyard's origin. However, its success soon outgrew the capacity of the hard-working hands in the village. The Zaccagnini family then had a machine developed that attaches the small pieces of grapevine by hand with the same care as in the past, keeping a small piece of craftsmanship alive in modern times. "From the vine to the glass – without nuances and with a lot of soul", says Marcello Zaccagnini, summarising the philosophy of his company. A phrase that not only unites the past and the future, but also perfectly describes the essence of Zaccagnini wines. SUPERIORE.DE

"From the precisely defined base wines to the sophisticated Montepulciano single-vineyard wines, all the wines are powerful and impressively manage to combine their typical Abruzzese character with international flavour." Gambero Rosso