Tenuta Terraviva is an Italian family-run, certified-organic (since 1998) estate in Tortoreto, in the Colline Teramane area of Abruzzo, on hills overlooking the Adriatic. The estate focuses on native Abruzzese varieties, including Montepulciano, through single vineyard and single varietal wines. Originally Tenuta Terraviva was selling its fruit to other wineries but in 2008 they started making their own wine.
The Adriatic influence is central to Tenuta Terraviva’s wines. Sea breezes and cool air from the mountains help moderate the climate, while the hills protect the vines from stronger winds. Warm days and cool nights allow the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The soils are mostly clay and mineral-rich, helping the vines develop deep roots and bringing an earthy character to the wines.
2022 was a hot and dry vintage in Abruzzo, with long periods of summer heat and drought relieved by rain in late July and September. Montepulciano proved well suited to the conditions, producing healthy, concentrated fruit while careful harvest timing helped preserve freshness and balance.
For Tenuta Terraviva’s 2022 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, the grapes were hand-harvested in the second half of October. To maintain the uniqueness of each micro-terroir, each vineyard plot was vinified separately and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts.
Tasting Note
Bright cherry and fresh red berries are laced together with flinty spice. Smooth and medium-bodied, it’s lively and juicy, with fine-grained tannins and a fresh, structured backbone. Tart red fruit streams through the clean finish, layered with lingering minerality.
Food Pairing
Lean into fall by pairing a wild mushroom and goat cheese tart alongside Tenuta Terraviva’s 2022 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The earthy mushrooms complement the wine’s flinty, mineral character, while the tangy goat cheese matches its bright acidity. The pastry adds just enough richness to balance the wine’s fine tannins.