Praesidium

The Praesidium winery is a leading winery in the panorama of artisanal wines in Abruzzo, capable of enhancing the most authentic characteristics of Montepulciano. At the helm of this small reality nestled in the hills of L'Aquila is the Pasquale family, today represented by Enzo, who with the support of his wife Lucia and children Ottaviano and Antonia makes wines of extraordinary depth. The Pasquale couple embarked on this adventure in 1988 with the aim of exalting the qualities of Montepulciano and the territory of Prezza, where the winery is located. The name of this municipality, located on the summit of a rocky spur in the western part of the Peligna Valley, originates from the Latin verb 'praeesse', meaning 'to preside', hence the noun 'praesidium', the name of the estate.

The attentions of the Praesidium winery are focused on Montepulciano, the symbolic variety of Abruzzi oenology which, according to some scholars, originated near Prezza, in the hinterland of L'Aquila. Much more recent, however, is the Pasquale family's introduction of Trebbiano d'Abruzzo. The vineyards, conducted in accordance with the principles of organic farming, with low grape yields and the exclusion of any synthetic chemical products, are distributed between the municipalities of Prezza and Raiano, at an altitude of about 400 metres above sea level. The soil is rich in clay and skeleton, with the concomitant presence of siliceous pebbles and limestone, while processing in the cellar is highly artisanal, based on spontaneous fermentation, the exclusion of any additives or invasive manipulation and low doses of added sulphites. Both steel tanks and oak barrels are used as wine containers, always with a well-considered use of wood.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is the most representative wine of the Praesidium winery, a denomination interpreted through a sincere and traditional style, capable of striking with its untamed character. Also noteworthy is the quality of Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore, a wine whose characteristics are closer to a light red than to a rosé. In general, the labels produced by Praesidium are capable of highlighting the truest expression of Abruzzo oenology, particularly that of the Peligna Valley territory.