Valentini

History of the Valentini estate

The Valentini estate, located in Loreto Aprutino in the province of Pescara, has a history deeply rooted in Italian viticulture. Founded in the 17th century, this family estate is run by descendants of the noble Valentini family, originally from Spain. Over the centuries, the family has distinguished itself in the production of wine, olive oil and cereals, but it was Edoardo Valentini, at the beginning of the 20th century, who gave this estate its legendary reputation.

Edoardo Valentini began bottling the estate's wines in the 1950s. He quickly acquired a reputation for excellence, thanks to his rigorous perfectionism and mysterious approach to winemaking. Refusing media and visitors, he kept his production methods secret, while devoting himself to making Trebbiano and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines of unparalleled quality.

Since Edoardo's death in 2006, his son Francesco Paolo Valentini has taken over the estate. Francesco perpetuates family traditions with the same attention to detail as his father, whilst bringing increased elegance and greater consistency to production.

Terroirs and Vines of the Valentini estate

The Valentini estate spans approximately 250 hectares, of which 70 hectares are dedicated to vines. The plots are located around Loreto Aprutino, a region offering ideal conditions for viticulture thanks to its limestone and clay soils and unique climate, influenced by the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains.

The key to the success of Valentini wines lies in the meticulous selection of vines and grapes. Of the entire production, only a small portion, about 5 to 10%, is selected for bottling. The cultivated grape varieties are Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, two indigenous varieties that benefit here from exceptional terroir and artisanal attention. Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, in particular, is cultivated from an ancient clone, Trebbiano d'Abruzzese, a decision made by Edoardo Valentini to preserve the identity of the terroir and maximise the expression of this often underestimated grape variety.

Winemaking at the Valentini estate

The winemaking process at the Valentini estate is as enigmatic as it is rigorous. Edoardo Valentini had a unique approach, drawing inspiration from ancestral Roman techniques to vinify his wines naturally and without chemical intervention. This tradition is perpetuated by Francesco Paolo, who firmly believes that wine quality is built in the vineyard, not in the cellar.

The wines are vinified without the addition of selected yeasts, with spontaneous fermentation carried out in glazed concrete tanks. Ageing takes place in large Slavonian oak barrels, some of which are several decades old. There is no fining or filtration before bottling, which allows the wine to retain all its purity and complexity. Only vintages deemed perfect are bottled, with extremely limited production for each cuvée.

The cuvées of the Valentini estate

The Valentini estate produces only three wines, each considered a model in its category.

Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

A legendary white wine, Valentini's Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is widely recognised as one of the best whites in Italy, if not the world. It is distinguished by its depth, minerality and incredible ageing ability. Produced only in the best years, this wine presents aromas of lemon, apple and straw, supported by a saline touch on the finish. The Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is an exceptional wine for ageing, evolving beautifully over time.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Valentini's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a rare red, produced only in vintages deemed perfect. Powerful and structured, this wine is the perfect reflection of its terroir. Its aromas of dark fruits, spices and earth give an impression of robustness, but it is also marked by a rare finesse for this grape variety.

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo

Made from the same grapes as the Montepulciano, this dry rosé is equally prized. Valentini's Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is a wine apart, distinguished by its vibrant colour and complex aromas of cherry, raspberry and spices. It combines the freshness of a rosé with the structure and depth of a red, offering a unique tasting experience.

Here are some of the most notable vintages from the Valentini estate: 1990, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018...

For those who wish to explore further the wines of Abruzzo and Italy, here are other estates such as Emidio Pepe, Soldera, Giovanni Canonica, Rinaldi...

The Valentini estate embodies Italian winemaking excellence and tradition, with artisanal attention paid to every step of production. Whether it's the Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, the Montepulciano or the Cerasuolo, each wine from the estate is a masterpiece in itself, designed to express the very essence of its terroir. Its rarity and prestige make it a true quest for fine wine enthusiasts.