Lemon curd and light green apples with blanched almonds on the nose, following through to a full body with round, savory flavors and hints of salt and minerals. Drink now.
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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.
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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. |
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LOCATIONWINERY: Spoltore (Pescara province), Abruzzo VINEYARD: Pescara province, Abruzzo VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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92
AUGUST 2020
La Valentina Pecorino Colline Pescaresi IGT 2019
![]() Lemon curd and light green apples with blanched almonds on the nose, following through to a full body with round, savory flavors and hints of salt and minerals. Drink now. 92
JUNE 2024
La Valentina “Bellovedere” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva DOC 2021
![]() A full-bodied, bold and heady red that has aromas of cloves, vanilla, plums, mocha and dates. It’s chewy and broad with wood-soaked tannins. Concentrated and dense. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2026. 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. 94
AUGUST 2022
La Valentina Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2021
![]() The intense, dark cherry color of this wine suggests you’re in a new territory for Rosé, or in this case Rosato wine. The color comes from the highly pigmented Montepulciano grape grown in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The appellation regulations allow 85 percent of this grape to be blended with other local grapes including whites. However, brothers Sabatino, Roberto, and Andrea Di Properzio use only Montepuciano grapes. They use a traditional process called saignée or tank bleeding. They monitor the fermenting grapes and remove a portion of the juice when it has reached the desired color, flavors, and body for Rosato. The remaining juice continues fermenting to become a red wine. The resulting Rosato is an intense and tightly structured wine with red cherry, pomegranate, red plum flavors with a bit of orange zest, mouthwatering acidity and light supple tannins. Its body and structure make it a perfect partner for barbecued ribs, roast chicken or a sausage pizza. 94
JUNE 2023
La Valentina “Bellovedere” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva DOC 2020
![]() Right from the start you get the idea of a balanced and complex wine, exuding aromas of spicy red and black berries, pressed flowers, perfumed minerals and a hint of red licorice. Full-bodied with a very fine, velvety mouthfeel and just the right amount of riserva-style vanilla, allowing the fruit to roam freely. The tannins are nicely poised and the finish is long. Nicely layered with no jagged edges. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. 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. 89
MARCH 2021
La Valentina “Spelt” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC 2016
![]() "Pretty notes of candied violet and star anise waft through the black raspberry fruit in this chewy, medium- to full-bodied red, which is lightly mouthwatering, with a tangy, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2026. 11,000 cases made, 2,200 cases imported." |