Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2023

Nestled in the rugged landscape of Abruzzo, Valle Reale is a winery with deep roots in the region's ancient winemaking traditions. Founded in the early 20th century, the estate has been carefully stewarded by the Pizzolo family for generations, committed to quality for over a century. The journey began with Tonino Pizzolo, who, despite economic challenges, established Valle Reale as one of the region’s finest producers.

In the early 2000s, Rocco Pizzolo, from the current generation, took the helm of the estate. He revitalized the vineyards with a focus on organic practices and native grape varieties. With the support of his wife Maria, who also comes from a winemaking family, Rocco introduced modern techniques while staying true to the traditions of Abruzzo. This fresh perspective further strengthened Valle Reale’s commitment to sustainable viticulture.

The winery’s philosophy is centered on respect for nature and the unique terroir of Abruzzo. The diverse landscape, with towering mountains and proximity to the Adriatic Sea, greatly influences the character of the wines. Valle Reale’s vineyards are located in several key areas within the Majella National Park and the Gran Sasso mountains, where a variety of microclimates and soils provide the perfect conditions for the estate’s native varieties. In Popoli, known for its cool climate and calcareous soils, the estate produces fresh, mineral-driven whites like Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and vibrant reds such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. In Capestrano, the stony, well-drained soils are ideal for the Montepulciano vines, yielding structured, aromatic wines that capture the essence of the rugged region.

At Valle Reale, winemaking is focused on balance and authenticity, with minimal intervention in both the vineyard and cellar, allowing the grapes and terroir to naturally express themselves. Their sustainable practices ensure the preservation of the land’s vitality, promoting biodiversity and supporting future generations of winemakers.

Abruzzo’s terroir is shaped by its mountainous terrain, with the Apennines to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east, creating a diverse range of microclimates. The region’s climate is continental, with hot, dry summers and cold winters, tempered by the cooling sea breezes along the coast. The soils vary from chalky and clay-rich in the foothills to sandy and gravelly closer to the coast, contributing to the wines' balance between fruitiness and minerality. The combination of elevated vineyards and the diurnal temperature variation results in wines that are both aromatic and fresh, with high acidity and intense flavors. The region is known for its Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, which expresses rich, dark fruit flavors and velvety tannins, as well as Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, which offers fresh, crisp white wines with bright citrus and floral notes. This unique terroir gives Abruzzo’s wines their distinctive character, showcasing both power and elegance.