Abruzzo Wines: A Tasting That Reveals the Italian Region’s True Character

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Discover Abruzzo wines through three standout Pecorino wines—from Valori, Valle Martello, and Savini—that showcase the region’s character and craftsmanship.

Abruzzo, Italy, reveals itself best through the glass. This rugged Italian region—framed by the Apennines and brushed by Adriatic breezes—produces wines with character, clarity, and a sense of place. In this tasting, three distinctive expressions stand out: an organic Pecorino from Valori that shows Abruzzo’s elegant side, a bold Brado-Pecorino from Valle Martello with unmistakable tension and texture, and a vibrant Colli Aprutini from Fattoria Giuseppe Savini. Together, they showcase why Abruzzo’s wines deserve far more attention than they get.

Wine Regions of Italy

Italy is one of the best places to explore a diverse selection of wines from its 20 distinct wine regions. Starting in the northeast, the Trentino-Alto Adige region specializes in cool-climate grapes such as gewürztraminer. In contrast, the southernmost region of Sicily is known for its bold reds, such as Nero d’Avola. If you were to drive between these two regions, you would cover about 1,000 miles and experience the contrast of the cooler climate in the north to the warmer climate in the south.

By the numbers, there are 500+ native grape varieties grown in over 400 DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) and DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) wine appellations, which is the highest number of classified wine zones in the world.

DOC and DOCG are both designations of origin. They also indicate a level of quality and the strictness of regulations, with DOCG signifying wines of the highest quality and the strictest regulations. Italy has a rich, 4,000-year history of winemaking. It is one of the top wine-producing countries, both in volume and in the quality of its wines. It accounts for nearly 19% of the world’s wine production and is the largest wine importer to the USA by volume. In this article, we will be exploring wines from the central region of Abruzzo.

Abruzzo Wine Region

Sadly, we were not able to travel to the Abruzzo wine country; however, the next best thing was attending the master class in Seattle. Learning about these outstanding wines and sampling the delicious flavors was enjoyed by all.

Abruzzo is located in central Italy and features a diverse geography, ranging from the coastal region next to the Adriatic Sea to the highest peaks of the Apennine Mountains. The Gran Sasso and Maiella massifs (a compact group of mountains) are the main mountain features of the Apennine Mountains.

It is a unique situation where one can drive from the coast to the mountains in just 30 minutes. There are three national parks and more than 10 regional nature reserves. Skiing in winter and hiking in summer are common among outdoor enthusiasts, and, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to soak up the area’s beautiful scenery and diverse flora and fauna. I am ready to get my outdoor gear, enjoy the mountains during the day, and sip wine in the evening.

The signature grapes of this region are montepulciano (red), which represents close to 60% of the plantings, and trebbiano (white), close to 20% of the plantings. Montepulciano grapes prefer inland areas and south-facing slopes to get the extra heat units. The trebbiano prefers the cooler regions near the coast or the cooler higher terrain. Pecorino is also a white grape that is currently gaining in popularity after almost becoming extinct in the 1900s.

Compared to the trebbiano grape, the pecorino grape grows in slightly hillier, cooler regions. It produces a wine with more minerality, and consumers seem to really enjoy its complexity. (As you will see below, we also really enjoyed it!) Because of climate change and warmer temperatures, many growers are planting in cooler, higher areas, where pecorino thrives.

 

Weather of Abruzzo

The mountains and the sea create a favorable wind pattern during the summer growing season, which significantly enhances wine quality and complexity. During the afternoon, the land warms more than the adjacent Adriatic Sea, creating a sea breeze that blows towards the land. This provides some cooling for the vineyards and helps prevent mildew issues. In the evening, the land cools faster than the sea, which reverses wind patterns and creates mountain downdrafts blowing toward the coast from west to east.

This creates a wide diurnal temperature range, which is very beneficial to the structure and acidity of the wine.  Compared to the Piedmont region in the northwest corner, Abruzzo tends to be warmer. The Abruzzo foothills region is very similar to the Tuscany region in terms of temperature and summer rainfall. Finally, the southern areas, such as Sicily, have warmer, drier summers.

Tasting One: Call Me With the Rain

All of our tastings at the master class in Seattle were of the pecorino grape. Chiamami quando piove is the mantra that founder Luigi Valori coined for his winery, Valori.  Its meaning, call me with the rain (i.e., when you can’t work in the vineyard), is open to many interpretations. Perhaps when it rains, the vineyard manager leaves the vineyard and is in the office to take calls. “It’s a useful reminder of who is really in charge”, explains Luigi Valori.

Trained viticulturalist Luigi Valori has been making wine at the 35-acre Teramo Hills estate since 1996. In 2013, the vineyard transitioned to organically certified wines. The focus at Valori is entirely on quality, with yields less than one-fifth of those allowed under DOC regulations.

Proximity to the sea and an abundance of sunshine translate into wines with a light mineral body, but warm, balanced flavors. We tasted the Abruzzo Organic Pecorino, which is 100% varietal with a light acid structure. Because the vineyard is 12 miles inland and in the Teramo Hills, there is a wider diurnal temperature swing than you would find close to the sea. In other words, warm days and cool nights enhance the wine structure.

Tasting Two: Valle Martello Winery

Sitting on two hilltops, the south-facing hill has the red grapes, while the north-facing hill has the cooler white grapes. Valle Martello Winery, founded in 1956 by Giuseppe Masci, eventually passed to his sons. The winery is still in the Masci family, with cousins now running it. We tasted the Brado-Pecorino Colline Teatine IGT 2024, which was a beautiful golden color.

This 100% pecorino wine has floral notes and light minerality. Pecorino pairs exceptionally well with seafood; I’m looking forward to serving it with my grilled salmon or curried mussels. Additionally, enjoying a glass on the patio during happy hour would be delightful.

Tasting Three: Fattoria Giuseppe Savini

Fattoria Giuseppe Savini was founded in 1949 by Vincenzo Savini and is now a fourth-generation family business with superb wines. The 2024 Colli Aprutini is another outstanding, 100% pecorino wine that we tasted. These grapes are grown on the cooler east-facing hills of the Savini estate.

Again, the golden colors of the pecorino stand out. On the palate, there is a light sage note with peach.

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Tasting Abruzzo Wines

If there’s one thread running through this tasting, it’s family. Every bottle poured at the master class came from producers within the Consortium for the Protection of the Wines of Abruzzo—many of them multi-generational farms that have shaped this region’s identity for centuries. Their wines aren’t just expressions of terroir; they’re snapshots of heritage, resilience, and pride. Experiencing these bottles in their home soil, meeting the families behind them, and hearing their stories firsthand is an experience worth adding to your travel list. 

Are you ready to explore more wine destinations? Discover additional wine travel guides on Wander With Wonder.   

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