Plum, blackberry, bay leaf and spices on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. Juicy with lively acidity and a fruity, spicy finish. Drink now.
MENU
|
![]() |
WINE LOCATOR
SEARCH
|
La Valentina is a leading example of the modern renaissance of winemaking in Abruzzo. The region has a history as a source of inexpensive bulk wine production, but a new generation of winemakers have dedicated themselves to harnessing the excellent terroir to produce high quality rather than high quantity—and La Valentina is at the forefront of this movement.
Rather than turning to international grape varieties or varieties that are more at home in other regions, the Di Properzio brothers remain true to the traditional varieties associated with Abruzzo: Montepulciano and Trebbiano Abruzzese, along with a time-honored but almost forgotten variety, Pecorino. The shift in focus is not in the grapes but in the way they are grown and vinified.
It all starts with the land, and in addition to vineyards close to the winery, La Valentina has acquired several vineyard sites that are located at higher elevations in the foothills of the Apennines, near a national park in pristine conditions. In all their vineyards, the Di Properzios have made a strong commitment to sustainability—avoiding the use of artificial or chemical products, ensuring maximum biodiversity, and relying on minimal intervention in the land’s natural processes. To this end, all the estate vineyards have been certified organic since 2016.
La Valentina’s winemaking is managed by consulting enologist Luca D’Attoma, who joined the winery team in 1998. The winery’s philosophy is to intervene as little as possible in the natural wine growing processes, adhering to the concept that high-quality wine “has the mark of the vine on its grapes.” By ensuring that the land remains highly fertile and keeping the plants healthy, they are able to fight off parasites and disease on their own and express themselves fully and produce the healthiest possible grapes of the absolute highest quality. The emphasis on sustainability continues in the winery where they use electricity only from renewable sources and practicing water-saving procedures.
|
![]() |
LA VALENTINA TREBBIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC
The white entry in La Valentina’s Classica line is this Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, made from mostly Trebbiano Abruzzese grapes—a superior type of Trebbiano. |
|
LOCATIONWINERY: Spoltore (Pescara province), Abruzzo VINEYARD: Pescara province, Abruzzo VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
|
92
JUNE 2021
La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2018
![]() Plum, blackberry, bay leaf and spices on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. Juicy with lively acidity and a fruity, spicy finish. Drink now. 92
MAY 2023
La Valentina Pecorino Colline Pescaresi IGT 2022
![]() Pleasant blend of ripe yellow citrus and savory notes on the nose. Medium-bodied with the same balance on the palate, adding a bitter lemon note as the palate progresses, making for a savory finish. Salt and marsiglia in the aftertaste. Lots going on. From organically grown grapes. If you don’t know pecorino whites, here’s a good place to start. Enjoy now. 92
JULY 2023
La Valentina “Spelt” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC 2019
![]() Black fruit, roasted hazelnuts, coffee, grilled herbs and some balsamic on the nose. Medium to full body with firm, grainy tannins. Compact and firm finish with dark-fruited, toasty character. Drink or hold. 92
APRIL 2021
La Valentina “Spelt” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC 2017
![]() The 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Spelt wafts up with a display of savory cherry sauce and wild herbs complemented by hints of sweet spice and smoke. It’s velvety in texture yet lifted and refined, with a mix of polished red and black fruits and a web of fine-grained tannins toward the close. While youthfully structured and poised, a lasting flourish of licorice, currant and tobacco lingers incredibly long. As enjoyable as this is today, the 2017 needs another year or two of cellaring to show its best. 92
AUGUST 2023
La Valentina “Spelt” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC 2020
![]() The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Spelt is dark and earthy in the glass, with undergrowth and crushed stones giving way to black cherries and spice. This is round and silky in feel, with ripe wild berry fruits and spices that cascade throughout. Plum and medicinal blackberry linger as the 2020 tapers off long, lightly structured, yet relatively fresh. Well done. 93
JUNE 2021
La Valentina “Bellovedere” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva DOC 2016
![]() Aromas of dark fruit, mushrooms, flowers and spices. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. Chalky texture in the mouth. Juicy and spicy. Flavorful finish with some length. Drink or hold. 89
JUNE 2021
La Valentina Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2020
![]() The 2020 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo charms with a delicate display of wild strawberries, nuanced florals and hints of stone dust. It’s a vibrant and juicy effort that fleshes out across the palate with mineral-tinged fruits and savory spice. A buzz of residual acids lingers, forcing the mouth to water, as this tapers off to hard red candies and inner rose tones. The 2020 La Valentina is a spirited Cerasuolo for poolside sipping 89
APRIL 2021
La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2018
![]() The 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is incredibly pretty with its display of crushed violets, mint, wild strawberries and wet stone. It’s a soft and fleshy effort that keeps the energy high, as zesty acids usher in a pure display of red and blue fruits. Hints of tannin mix with sweet spices and minerals to create a pleasantly tactile feel, as this tapers off fresh and slightly savory. |