Vineyards between land and sea

EARTH, SUN AND SEA

6,000 hectares on a wide territory that covers almost the entire province of Chieti, with a north-to-south extension of 80-90 km, and for 40 km from the sea to the inland. Citra is a privileged spot where grapes ripen among Majella, Gran Sasso and the Adriatic Sea: a unique chance to exploit different and unique terroirs and microclimates, with the ideal temperature range for the ripening of grapes. As a matter of fact, thanks to mountain airstreams and sea breeze grapes acquire different chemical and aromatic characteristics and yet fundamental for the production of our peculiar wines. Every vineyard is protected by the mountains, nurtured by airstreams and kissed by the sun.

Our native grape varieties

MONTEPULCIANO

It was named after the vineyard where grapes are harvested. Some evidence of this wine variety can be found in the works of the ancient historian Polybius, who tells the story of Hannibal who got his army to drink this variety of wine so that they could heal easily their wounds. Also the poet Ovid in his work “The Metamorphoses” praised the quality of Valle Peligna’s vineyards. Although this variety of wine was named “Montepulciano” only since the 17th century, and only from this moment its production and trading have been attested.

TREBBIANO

The name Bombino is probably due to the peculiar shape of its bunch of grapes, which looks like a child with open arms, while the name Trebbiano is the evolution of “Trebulanum”, name used by Pliny the Elder in his work “Naturalis Historia”. Its vineyard is originally from the province of Caserta, and it was then brought to the Abruzzi region. People say Trebbiano was the favourite wine of the army of the Roman Empire, so that it was defined as “the army’s wine”. Nowadays Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is a DOP wine that is produced in all four provinces of Abruzzi.

PECORINO D’ ABRUZZO

It was named Pecorino after the process of transhumance, a typical pastoral custom of Abruzzi during autumn, when sheep use to eat this particular sweet grape variety, whose ripening is faster. This grape variety comes from Marche and Abruzzi regions, where it is highly produced. It was mentioned by Cato the Censor in the 2nd century B.C. among the grape varieties that were imported from Greece.

PASSERINA

Passerina grape is resistant and productive. It was historically referred to as “pagadebito” or “scacciadebito” (Italian for “debt payment”). It was indeed a high quality grape variety which was often given as a pledge by farmers for their debts. It is employed to produce fine wines with a peculiar taste and aroma.

COCOCCIOLA

Cococciola is a rare native grape variety, first used only as blending grapes to give some fresh and acid characteristics to other grape varieties, and it is nowadays a single-variety vinification. It is a white grape variety, with medium-sized round bunch.