Cerulli Spinozzi (Abruzzo)
Every so often a region has a winemaking family or estate which acts as an engine, pulling the entire area upward and into the limelight of international recognition. The Northern Rhône had Guigal, Australia had Max Schubert at Penfolds Grange, Chile has Concha y Toro — and now there is the CERULLI SPINOZZI family in Italy’s Abruzzi region, working with the native red grape, Montepulciano.
Until now, the Abruzzi (Abruzzo in Italian) has been synonymous with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – a reliable, if often predictable red wine. Indeed, Montepulciano, the local grape, was and still is confused with a town of the same name in Tuscany producing Sangiovese-based wines.
It’s a situation ENRICO CERULLI is working to change. The Cerulli family has been part of the fabric of the Abruzzi for centuries, traditionally prospering not from grapes or olives, but from wool sheared from local sheep and delivered to Florence to be woven into world-renowned textiles. However, the Cerulli family has always been forward-thinking. Grandfather Cerulli founded Casal Thaulero which under his presidency swiftly went on to become the Abruzzi’s most successful wine cooperative.
Until now, the Abruzzi (Abruzzo in Italian) has been synonymous with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – a reliable, if often predictable red wine. Indeed, Montepulciano, the local grape, was and still is confused with a town of the same name in Tuscany producing Sangiovese-based wines.
It’s a situation ENRICO CERULLI is working to change. The Cerulli family has been part of the fabric of the Abruzzi for centuries, traditionally prospering not from grapes or olives, but from wool sheared from local sheep and delivered to Florence to be woven into world-renowned textiles. However, the Cerulli family has always been forward-thinking. Grandfather Cerulli founded Casal Thaulero which under his presidency swiftly went on to become the Abruzzi’s most successful wine cooperative.
Azienda Agricola Cerulli Spinozzi Enrico’s passion, however, is to make outstanding wine from the Montepulciano grape. To accomplish this goal he has recruited one of Italy’s most celebrated and sought-after consulting winemakers: Franco Bernabei. Completing the team is Paolo Faccin, the on-site winemaker.
There is a high quality sub-zone called Colline Teramane (Teramane Hills), Abruzzi’s only DOCG (awarded in 2002). This tiny area produces a trickle of wine – less than 0.5% of the volume of the larger DOC! Luckily, Cerulli owns 10% of the DOCG’s 100 ha (247 acres) and makes its top bottling, Torre Migliori, from 100% DOCG fruit.
There is a high quality sub-zone called Colline Teramane (Teramane Hills), Abruzzi’s only DOCG (awarded in 2002). This tiny area produces a trickle of wine – less than 0.5% of the volume of the larger DOC! Luckily, Cerulli owns 10% of the DOCG’s 100 ha (247 acres) and makes its top bottling, Torre Migliori, from 100% DOCG fruit.