Appellation: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Localization: Torano Nuevo, province of Teramo

Surface area: 74 acres

Grape varities: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Harvest: Late September

Fermentation: 3-4 days on the skins before beginning a temperature controlled fermentation

Maturation: 6 months in large Slavonian casks and 2 or 3 months of refinement in the bottle

Tasting: Deep, intense ruby-red with violet reflections. Aromas of ripe cherries and marmalade. Smooth, full and fruity in the mouth. Elegant and generous finish.

Food pairing: Pastas, meat sauces and spicy dishes, barbecue, roasted and grilled meat.

Barone Cornacchia quotes the ancient Romans on his label saying "Denique apertos Baccus amat colles" (Bacchus loves the open hills) which, given the fact that Abruzzo is 65% mountains and 35% hills and blessed with one of the most prolific and popular grape varietals, Montepulciano, this quote could not be more appropriate. Cornacchia has 74 acres in the Teramo province in the northeastern corner of Abruzzo which is protected by the Grand Sasso range (9,560 feet) to the North and West and the Maiella range to the South. From the East the vineyards are exposed to the moderating sea breezes from the Adriatic. It is considered to be one of the finest regions in Abruzzo. The terrain is calcareous clay, rich in lime and iron and the vineyards tend to produce wines that are bigger in everything — tannins, alcohol, body and color. Baron Cornacchia shares this wonderful terrain with Emidio Pepe and Dino Illuminati among other fortunates.

Cornacchia has received much acclaim by Robert Parker, Decanter and the Wine Spectator. In this region of large cooperatives and mass produced wines, Cornacchia stands above the rest. His wines are proof of the heights to which the Montepulciano grape can reach.