Azienda Agricola Orlandi Contucci Ponno in the Colline Teramane (Teramo Hills) in the Abruzzo region of Italy produces Montepulciano-based red wines under the Colline Teramane DOCG.

Owner:  Agricole Gussalli Beretta (since 2003 – check).

Terroir: Located on the first heights of the Vomano river valley, 2kms (1.2 miles) from the Adriatic and less than 20kms (12 miles) from the Gran Sasso chain (m.2920), the highest part of the the Abruzzi Apennines (L’Appennino abruzzese)–which contain the highest peaks and most rugged terrain of the Italian Apennines–the Orlandi Contucci Ponno farm enjoys a climatically privileged position. It benefits from the thermoregulatory action of the sea, as well as of the breezes coming from the high mountains that temper the heat of the summer nights, ensuring a regular and continuous vegetative cycle for the vines,” says the estate.

White wines

Abruzzo Pecorino DOC: The grapes currently come from vineyards in the Chieti area, until the newly planted vineyards from the Tronto region come on stream. The rented vines come from an undulating vineyard cultivated on alluvial and rocky soil in the Montepagano Hills (Teremo province). East-west-exposure. Cordon. 5,000 plants/ha. Average annual output 4,500 bottles. Hand picked. Static racking off and then fermentation at controlled temperatures. Bottling in March after winter ageing in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. See here for the estate’s comments on the Pecorino grape.

Colli Aprutini IGT Chardonnay, Labyrintho: 2003 Debut. Barrel fermented. Wanted completely healthy grapes that could be brought to full ripeness: an essential condition for fermenting must in wood. Just like when you enter a labyrinth: easy to get in, hard to find your way out. From the  S. Petronilla vineyard in the Montepagano Hills (Teramo province. South-east exposure. Spring pruning and then thinning by hand. Cordon. 5,000 vines/ha. Late harvest required for vinification in new wood. Long fermentation with frequent bâttonnage on fine yeast. Aged in stainless steel tanks for further ageing before bottling in the spring

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, Adrio: 100% Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. From estate vineyards on gentle slopes based on calcareous alluvial soils in the Montepagano Hills in Teramo province. West-facing. Cordon. 5,000 plants/ha.Grapes harvested by hand. Vinification in stainless steel tanks with cold static clarification. Fine lees aged. Bottled read for the new year.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Superiore DOC, Colle della Corte: The Trebbiano Colle della Corte takes its name from the farm it came from, and on which there was a cottage enclosed in a court, a very rare thing in Abruzzo where cottages were built much later than other regions of Italy. The most popular Trebbianos are those from the low hills that descend to the sea, such as the Colle della Corte. Average annual output is 13,000 bottles. 90% Trebbiano d’Abruzzo (Procanico) 10% Passerina. The owners decided to adhere to the regulations governing the Trebbiano Superiore denomination, in order to obtain a wine that would exalt this variety’s qualities. They reduced yields, and selected only the best grapes. Vinification was designed to extract the forgotten aromas and scents of this traditional grapevine. The aim is to make a salty, minerally white wine with a floral fresh-fruity feel. The vines are on an undulating vineyard on alluvial and rocky soil. The vineyard is in S. Petronilla in the Montepagano Hills (Teramo province). West-gacing. Cordon: 5,000 vines/ha. 70-90 q/ha. Picked end of September by hand. Double selection in the vineyard and at delivery to the cellars. Vinification in stainless steel tanks with cold static clarification. Winter aging on fine lees. Bottling in spring. Said to show a light straw-yellow colour with green highlights Flavours of green apple and summer fruits.

Pink wines

Colli Aprutini IGT, Cabernet, Colle Funaro: From the Colle Funaro vineyards, fully exposed to the south and the evening breezes from the Gran Sasso mountain range. The terrain of the hillside is similar to the micro areas of Bordeaux: calcareous clay with a gravel substrate, suitable for the production of this variety.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, Vermiglio: Made from Montepulciano grapes treated as a white variety. Average annual output 13,000 bottles. The vines are in the Montepagano Hills, in the  Colli Aprutini, Teramo province. South-facing. Cordon-trained (5,000 vines/ha) and pergola trained (1,800 vines/ha). Grapes harvested by hand.

Red wines

Colli Aprutini IGT Cabernet, Colle Funaro:

Colli Aprutini IGT Rosso, Liburnio: The Liburni belonged to the Illyrian populations of the Adriatic coast of Croatia in the seventh century BC. They were dreaded pirates who invaded the local shores, and were subjugated by the Romans in 156 BC. Subsequently, they integrated to this area of coast and became farmers and winegrowers.The current owners found traces of their presence on their estate. This wine is the result of a “blend”, vinified in the old way, and bears a name that recalls the origins of the oldest wine making traditions. 6,000–10,000 bottles. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot. South-facing. Mix of clones. Cordon. Harvested by hand. Extended maceration on skins for 12/15 days. 18 months in barriques.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Rubiolo: 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Cordon (5,000 vines/ha) and pergola (1,800 vines/ha). 40,000 bottles. South-facing. Alluvial soil, good drainage, thanks to a gravelly substrate. Harvested by hand. Controlled skin maceration, long pressing. After the fermentation, the wine is aged partly in mid-sized barrels and partly in stainless steel tanks for 6/8 months before it is bottled.

Montepulciano Colline Teramane DOCG, La Regula Specula: The hill was the site of the Royal Observatory (“speculation” in Latin: Observatory) from which to search out enemy ships, bandits and pirates who attacked the hard to defend sandy coasts.

Montepulciano Colline Teramane DOCG Riserva, Orlandi Contucci Ponno: The owners say “100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. 6,000/10,000 bottles. From alluvial mixed soils. Particular microclimate, benefiting from the proximity of the Gran Sasso mountains and balmy sea breezes. The peculiarities of the climate allows a late harvest, especially important for the Riserva. The vines are in the Montepagano Hills (Teremo province). The vineyard is called Pianetto. South-facing. Cordon-trained. Selected clones of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Spring pruning and hand thinning. Cordon-trained. 5,000 Limited to 70 q/ha. Picked Middle/late October. Controlled fermentation. Oak aging in barrels and/or tonneaux based on vintage quality data. The average time in is 18 months or so. This wine is produced in limited quantities and only in the vintages which met the relevant requirements. | 2015 14% alc. Dark fruit with dusty oak over-tones, slightly green tannins and dis-jointed, lozenge-like acidity and the fruit is somewhat muffled (22 Sept 2021). | 2016 Juicy fruit, plenty of texture, pretty well balanced too as well being smooth and enjoyable. 14% vol. (Feb 2022).

Contact

Soc. Agricola Colle Funaro S.r.l.

Loc. Piana degli Ulivi, 1

64026 Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE), Italy

Website: www.orlandicontucciponno.it/en/