{"id":959,"count":8,"description":"","link":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/italy\/abruzzo","name":"Abruzzo wine region","slug":"abruzzo","taxonomy":"category","parent":819,"meta":{"winalist_lat":"42.4618","winalist_lng":"14.2161"},"acf":{"short_region_name":"Abruzzo","region_id":37,"h1":"Visit the Abruzzo Wine Region: The Complete Guide","subtitle":"","term_author":17,"term_co_authors":"","term_published":"2025-11-28 18:43:51","term_last_updated":"2026-05-28 18:55:06","tldr_title":"The essentials for visiting the Abruzzo wine region","tldr_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Abruzzo in brief<\/strong>: <strong>central Italy<\/strong>, on the Adriatic side, between the <strong>Apennine Mountains<\/strong> and the <strong>Adriatic Sea<\/strong>. A <strong>mountainous region<\/strong> with a long <strong>history of wine production<\/strong> and excellent value.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Star grapes<\/strong>: <strong>Montepulciano<\/strong> (the dark red behind Montepulciano d'Abruzzo), <strong>Trebbiano<\/strong> (the white <strong>Trebbiano d'Abruzzo<\/strong>), plus revived natives <strong>Pecorino<\/strong>, <strong>Passerina<\/strong> and <strong>Cococciola<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Key appellations<\/strong>: <strong>Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC<\/strong>, <strong>Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC<\/strong>, <strong>Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo<\/strong> (the ros\u00e9), the top <strong>Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOCG<\/strong>, and <strong>Controguerra<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Wine styles<\/strong>: a <strong>rich red<\/strong> (Montepulciano), a fresh <strong>white<\/strong> (Trebbiano, Pecorino), and one of Italy's best <strong>ros\u00e9<\/strong> wines (Cerasuolo).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Must-sees<\/strong>: the vineyards of the Teramo and Chieti hills, the Gran Sasso mountains, the trabocchi coast, plus Pescara, Sulmona and the hill villages.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ideal stay<\/strong>: 4\u20135 days to combine the wine hills, the mountains and the coast.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Local table<\/strong>: arrosticini (lamb skewers), maccheroni alla chitarra, pecorino cheese, saffron from Navelli \u2014 built for Montepulciano.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Access<\/strong>: fly to Pescara (or Rome, 2h by road); a car is essential.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Budget for two<\/strong>: $350\u2013$650 (\u20ac320\u2013600) for a comfortable few days \u2014 Abruzzo is excellent value.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","link_to_wl_landing_page":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/regions\/abruzzo","override_cta_in_quick_access":"View best Abruzzo wineries","intro":"Abruzzo is the wild green heart of Italy \u2014 a <strong>mountainous region<\/strong> where the snow-capped peaks of the <strong>Apennines<\/strong> drop almost straight into the <strong>Adriatic Sea<\/strong>, leaving a narrow band of hills where the vines grow. It's one of the country's most underrated wine regions: three of Italy's national parks sit here, brown bears still roam the high valleys, and yet the coast is an hour away. For a long time Abruzzo was known only for cheap, cheerful red \u2014 but a wave of quality-minded growers has turned it into one of Italy's best-value discoveries, and it's the region I most enjoy surprising people with.\r\n\r\nThe name to know is <strong>Montepulciano<\/strong> \u2014 not the Tuscan town, but the dark, juicy red <strong>grape<\/strong> that makes <strong>Montepulciano d'Abruzzo<\/strong>, the region's flagship <strong>wine<\/strong>. Alongside it grow the white <strong>Trebbiano d'Abruzzo<\/strong>, the pink <strong>Cerasuolo<\/strong>, and a clutch of revived natives like <strong>Pecorino<\/strong> and <strong>Passerina<\/strong>. With the Winalist team, we work with growers from the <strong>Colline Teramane<\/strong> in the north down to the hills of <strong>Chieti<\/strong>. In this guide, we've gathered everything you need to plan a trip: the appellations, the <strong>native grapes<\/strong>, the best wine towns, when to come and how to get around.","best_hosts_title":"The wineries and vineyards to visit in Abruzzo","best_hosts_content":"The <strong>Abruzzo wine region<\/strong> is the work of large, well-run cooperatives and a growing number of quality-focused family <strong>wineries<\/strong>, especially in the hills around <strong>Chieti<\/strong> and <strong>Teramo<\/strong>. The style is generous and food-friendly: deep, <strong>rich red<\/strong> <strong>Montepulciano<\/strong>, crisp whites from <strong>Trebbiano<\/strong> and the revived <strong>Pecorino<\/strong>, and the distinctive <strong>Cerasuolo<\/strong> <strong>ros\u00e9<\/strong>. Many estates farm vines that are <strong>indigenous to the region<\/strong> and pair tastings with views of the <strong>Apennine mountains and the Adriatic<\/strong>. A <strong>wine<\/strong> lover will find remarkable quality for the price here. Most <strong>winery<\/strong> visits last 1\u20132 hours and end with a tasting; expect $12\u2013$35 (\u20ac11\u201332), often with the grower themselves.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/regions\/abruzzo\">Book a wine tasting in Abruzzo<\/a>","things_to_do_content":"<h2>The best wine experiences in the Abruzzo wine region: our top 10<\/h2>\r\nHere's our pick of the must-do wine experiences across Abruzzo \u2014 a mix of hillside vineyards, mountain backdrops and the <strong>native grapes<\/strong> that make this one of Italy's best-value <strong>wine<\/strong> regions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>1. Taste Montepulciano d'Abruzzo at the source<\/h3>\r\nThe region's flagship: <strong>Montepulciano d'Abruzzo<\/strong>, a deep, <strong>rich red<\/strong> <strong>made from Montepulciano grapes<\/strong> (not to be confused with the Tuscan town of the same name). Juicy, dark-fruited and softly tannic, it's the everyday red of central Italy \u2014 and increasingly serious at the top end.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>2. Discover the Colline Teramane DOCG<\/h3>\r\nIn the northern hills around <strong>Teramo<\/strong>, the <strong>Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo<\/strong> is the region's only <strong>DOCG<\/strong> \u2014 the pinnacle of Abruzzo red, structured and age-worthy. A must for serious red-wine lovers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>3. Try Cerasuolo, the cherry-pink ros\u00e9<\/h3>\r\nAbruzzo makes one of Italy's great <strong>ros\u00e9<\/strong> wines: <strong>Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo<\/strong>, a deep cherry-pink (its name comes from <em>cerasa<\/em>, cherry) from the same Montepulciano grape. Fuller and more savoury than most ros\u00e9s \u2014 taste it with the local seafood.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>4. Sip Trebbiano and the revived whites<\/h3>\r\nThe white <strong>Trebbiano d'Abruzzo<\/strong> can be a simple quaffer or, in the right hands, a profound wine. Alongside it, growers have revived characterful native whites \u2014 <strong>Pecorino<\/strong>, <strong>Passerina<\/strong> and <strong>Cococciola<\/strong> \u2014 well worth seeking out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Tip<\/strong>: to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/regions\/abruzzo\">book a winery visit in Abruzzo<\/a> with tasting, browse Winalist's partner estates across the Teramo and Chieti hills.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/blockquote>\r\n<h3>5. Explore the Chieti hills<\/h3>\r\nThe province of <strong>Chieti<\/strong> in the south is Abruzzo's largest <strong>wine<\/strong>-producing area, with rolling vineyards (and the <strong>Terre di Chieti<\/strong> IGT). A patchwork of cooperatives and family estates makes it ideal for a day of tasting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>6. Combine wine with the Gran Sasso mountains<\/h3>\r\nFew wine regions offer this: from the vineyards you can drive up into the <strong>Apennines<\/strong> and the Gran Sasso, Italy's highest peak south of the Alps. Vines and snow-capped mountains in one day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>7. Visit the trabocchi coast<\/h3>\r\nThe Adriatic shore south of Pescara \u2014 the <em>Costa dei Trabocchi<\/em>, named for its old fishing platforms \u2014 pairs beautifully with the local wines. Seafood and a glass of Trebbiano or Cerasuolo by the sea.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>8. Base yourself in Pescara or Sulmona<\/h3>\r\nLively <strong>Pescara<\/strong> on the coast and historic <strong>Sulmona<\/strong> (home of sugared almonds) inland both make good bases for the wine country, with the hills, mountains and sea all close by.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>9. Taste with the local food<\/h3>\r\nAbruzzo's cuisine \u2014 <em>arrosticini<\/em> lamb skewers, <em>maccheroni alla chitarra<\/em>, pecorino cheese, Navelli saffron \u2014 is made for its wines. A tasting paired with a local meal is the heart of the experience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>10. Time your visit for the harvest<\/h3>\r\nThe Abruzzo <strong>vendemmia<\/strong> runs from September into October, earlier on the coast and later up in the hills. Harvest is the most atmospheric time to taste, with the cellars busy and the vineyards turning gold.","title_for_cities_in_the_wine_region":"The wine towns and cities to visit in Abruzzo","text_for_cities_in_the_wine_region":"A few towns anchor an Abruzzo wine trip: <strong>Pescara<\/strong>, the lively coastal city and main gateway; <strong>Chieti<\/strong>, overlooking the southern wine hills; <strong>Teramo<\/strong>, the base for the Colline Teramane DOCG; <strong>Sulmona<\/strong>, the historic inland town; and the hill villages of <strong>Pacentro<\/strong>, <strong>Scanno<\/strong> and <strong>Civitella del Tronto<\/strong>. Each deserves its own guide.","villages_content":"","title_itineraries":"Our itineraries for visiting the Abruzzo wine region","text_itineraries":"Depending on how much time you have, several itineraries work well: a <strong>weekend<\/strong> in the <strong>Teramo<\/strong> hills tasting the Colline Teramane DOCG; a few days exploring the <strong>Chieti<\/strong> wine country and the trabocchi coast from a base in Pescara; or a <strong>longer trip<\/strong> combining the vineyards with the Gran Sasso mountains, the national parks and the hill villages. Abruzzo is compact but mountainous \u2014 a car is essential.","when_visit":"<strong>Spring (April\u2013June)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nA beautiful time: green hills, wildflowers, snow still on the high peaks, and the coast warming up. Ideal for combining wine, mountains and the sea before the summer crowds.\r\n\r\n<strong>Summer (July\u2013August)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHot on the coast and busy with Italian beach-goers, cooler up in the hills and mountains. Taste in the morning, then head to the Adriatic or the Gran Sasso in the afternoon.\r\n\r\n<strong>Harvest (September\u2013October)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe <strong>vendemmia<\/strong> fills the cellars, the vineyards turn gold and the weather is still warm. The most atmospheric time to visit the wineries.\r\n\r\n<strong>Autumn (October\u2013November)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMild, golden and quiet, with the mountains at their most dramatic. A lovely, relaxed time to tour the hill estates.\r\n\r\n<strong>Winter (December\u2013March)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nCold and snowy in the mountains (Abruzzo has ski resorts), milder on the coast. Some small estates reduce hours, but Pescara and the larger wineries stay open year-round.","how_visit":"<strong>By plane<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Pescara (PSR)<\/strong> \u2014 the regional airport, on the coast, closest to the wine country<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Rome Fiumicino (FCO)<\/strong> \u2014 about 2 hours by road, a common gateway<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>By train<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Trains link Rome, Pescara and the coastal cities; the Rome\u2013Pescara line crosses the region<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Coastal and main-town stations are well served, but the rural wine estates are not<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>By car<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Pescara \u2192 Chieti hills: 20\u201330 min<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pescara \u2192 Teramo (Colline Teramane): ~35 mi (55 km), 50 min<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rome \u2192 Pescara: ~125 mi (200 km), 2h<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pescara \u2192 Sulmona: ~45 mi (70 km), 1h<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Getting around<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Car<\/strong>: essential \u2014 the wine hills, mountains and coast are spread out and the estates are rural.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Guided tours with driver<\/strong>: many Winalist partners run Montepulciano and Trebbiano wine tours from Pescara, Chieti and Teramo.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Train + base city<\/strong>: works for the coastal cities, less so for the rural vineyards.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","hotels_visit":"<strong>Charm and luxury<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Villa Maiella<\/strong> (Guardiagrele): a renowned restaurant-with-rooms in the Chieti hills.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sextantio Albergo Diffuso<\/strong> (Santo Stefano di Sessanio): a celebrated scattered-hotel in a restored medieval village.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Wine-estate stays and boutique hotels around Teramo and the coast.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Wine-country agriturismi<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAcross the Teramo and Chieti hills, family-run <em>agriturismi<\/em> and wine estates welcome guests, often with a tasting of their own Montepulciano or Cerasuolo. Expect $90\u2013$170 (\u20ac80\u2013155) per night \u2014 an authentic way to stay among the vines.\r\n\r\n<strong>For a different kind of Abruzzo experience<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMountain lodges in the national parks, restored hill-village stays, and seaside hotels on the trabocchi coast. Plenty of options for trips with family or friends.","display_map":true,"map_title":"Map of the Abruzzo wine region","map_widget_link":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/affiliate\/widget?partner=14&type=map&lat=42.1920119&lng=13.7289167&location=Abruzzo,Italy","other_images_for_term":"","title_faq":"Good to know before visiting the Abruzzo wine region","text_before_faq":"","acf-repeater-faq":[{"faq_question":"Where is the Abruzzo wine region in Italy?","faq_answer":"Abruzzo is in central Italy, on the Adriatic side, between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Most vineyards lie in the hills of the Teramo, Pescara, Chieti and L'Aquila provinces. Fly to Pescara, or drive about 2 hours from Rome.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"What wine is Abruzzo known for?","faq_answer":"Abruzzo is famous for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a deep, juicy rich red from the Montepulciano grape; the white Trebbiano d'Abruzzo; and Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, a distinctive cherry-pink ros\u00e9. The top reds come from the Colline Teramane DOCG.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"Is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo the same as the town of Montepulciano?","faq_answer":"No \u2014 this is a common confusion. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a wine made from Montepulciano grapes in Abruzzo. The town of Montepulciano is in Tuscany and makes a different wine (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, from Sangiovese). Same name, different places and grapes.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"What grapes are grown in Abruzzo?","faq_answer":"The main red grape is Montepulciano; the main white is Trebbiano. Abruzzo has also revived characterful native whites \u2014 Pecorino, Passerina and Cococciola \u2014 and grows some Cabernet and Merlot. The Cerasuolo ros\u00e9 is also made from Montepulciano.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"What is Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo?","faq_answer":"Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is a deep cherry-pink ros\u00e9 made from the Montepulciano grape \u2014 its name comes from cerasa (cherry). Fuller-bodied and more savoury than many ros\u00e9s, it's a regional speciality and a great match for Abruzzo's seafood and lamb.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"When is the best time to visit Abruzzo for wine?","faq_answer":"Spring and autumn (April\u2013June, September\u2013October) are ideal \u2014 mild, scenic and less crowded than the summer beach season. The harvest in September\u2013October is especially atmospheric.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"How do you get around Abruzzo's wine regions?","faq_answer":"A car is essential \u2014 the wine hills, mountains and coast are spread out and the estates are rural. Fly into Pescara (or drive from Rome), then explore the Teramo and Chieti hills by car, or take a guided wine tour with a driver.\r\n"}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories\/959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taxonomies\/category"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories\/819"}],"acf:user":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"wp:post_type":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts?categories=959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}