6/25/26 -

High up within the Gran Sasso National Park in Abruzzo between the provinces of Pescara and L’Aquila sits the Valle Reale winery. The Pizzolo family found out about this remote area, including some very special vineyards, from a friend in the late 90's and their first vintage was in 2000. While the Adriatic sea is just a short drive away, the vineyards sit at impressive elevations of up to 600 meters bringing a lovely balance of maritime and mountain influence. I was able to taste through all of their wines with owner Leonardo Pizzolo (pictured above with author) while attending VinItaly in April. I am so excited to be able to offer 7 wines today, followed by an in-store tasting this evening so you can taste for yourself why I fell for these wines.

Valle Reale sits in a league of their own because of some key factors: elevation, climate, clones, biodynamics, and native fermentation. As we know, National Parks are key to preserving biodiversity, and only growers working biodynamically are permitted to farm there making this zone quite remote. Cooling winds coming down the Gran Sasso mountain range push temperatures down and harvest later, giving the grapes a chance to fully ripen before sugar levels get too high. Long, cool, and even ripening as well as intense diurnal swings bring fragrance, freshness and complexity to the wines. Wild animals like wolves, bears, and birds of prey even call these mountains home!

A diagram showing the difference between the Valle Peligna clone of Montepulciano (on the left) and the more widely planted Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (on the right).

Trebbiano and Montepulciano reign supreme in Abruzzo, but Valle Reale is special because of the specific clones of each grape. Rather than the more widely planted Trebbiano Toscana, Valle Reale's vines are the more noble Trebbiano d'Abruzzo. For the reds, the Valle Peligna clone of Montepulciano is planted, which is more adapted to the mountain climate with its smaller berries and bunches. The wines are all site-driven, low alcohol, never see any oak, and have great purity.

-Marisa Licandro

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