The Wine Route

The itinerary

In north-east Abruzzo, lies the Controguerra DOC production area, which stretches from the coast to the hinterland of the province of Teramo. The main towns where the local wine production centres are located are separated by a little less than 25 kilometres, through the hills full of olive trees and vineyards.

The itinerary starts from Colonnella, an ancient town on the top of the hills, which faces the Adriatic Sea to the east and borders the Tronto River to the north; in the old town centre, one can admire various architectural works, such as the Clock Tower or the Scalinata, symbol of the town. Here we find the Cantina Sociale di Colonnella, where the Controguerra Rosso Riserva Doc can be tasted, along with various declinations of the very famous Montepulciano d'Abruzzo..

Proceeding westwards, one enters the hills until reaching Controguerra, the Wine City from which the DOC area itself takes its name, and active in the wine-making field since Etruscan times. Here you can admire the Torrione and the Church of San Francesco, as well as visit the historic Azienda Agricola Illuminati, which offers Controguerra Bianco, Controguerra Novello, Controguerra Passito Rosso and Controguerra Rosso Riserva Doc.

Turning south, one reaches the ancient settlement of Corropoli, a town built on a Neolithic settlement, best known for the Palio delle Botti, a medieval re-enactment starring a 70-kilo barrel, which testifies to the town's link with wine production, also celebrated during the Borgo di Vino festival.

The next stop on our route is Torano Nuovo, also a settlement of ancient origins but rebuilt after the destruction of the 15th century. Here stands the Church of S. Massimo in Varano, one of the oldest in the region. Towards mid-August, a much-appreciated Wine Festival is held, which remains available throughout the year at numerous wineries, including the Azienda Agricola Barone Cornacchia, with its Controguerra Rosso Doc.

From here we continue to Ancarano, the final stop along the route, a town that dominates the entire Tronto valley from its high ground, already an important strategic place in Roman times. In Ancarano, the Cantine Ferliga estates rise, where the Controguerra Merlot Doc is produced, a particular declination of the DOC whose vines find their ideal growing ground in this area.

Petruziano PDO oil

from the Teramo hills

Among the main typical flavours of the Abruzzo region, we would like to point out the Pretuziano delle Colline Teramane DOP extra virgin olive oil, characterised by a greenish-yellow colour.
Its flavour is fruity of medium intensity and releases a slight bitter and spicy sensation.

This oil, which is obtained from olives of the Leccino, Frantoio and Dritta varieties, is produced and processed in the area of the hilly strip that runs entirely through the province of Teramo (from north to south), from near the sea towards the hinterland for about 25 to 30 km. The municipalities involved are: Ancarano, Atri, Basciano, Bellante, Bisenti, Canzano, Castellalto, Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Castilenti, Cellino Attanasio, Cermignano, Colonnella, Controguerra, Corropoli, Montefino, Morro D'Oro, Mosciano S. Angelo, Nereto, Notaresco, Penna S. Andrea, S. Egidio alla Vibrata, S. Omero, Torano Nuovo; and partially the municipalities of: Alba Adriatica, Arsita, Campli, Castel Castagna, Civitella del Tronto, Colledara, Giulianova, Isola del Gran Sasso, Martinsicuro, Montorio al Vomano, Pineto, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Silvi, Teramo, Torricella Sicura, Tortoreto and Tossicia
Olive cultivation in this particular area of Abruzzo is influenced by the climate of the surrounding landscape (the territory has two very close geographic components: on one side the Adriatic Sea and on the other the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif) that determine a strong temperature range between the different seasons of the year. Moreover, the hills are arranged in a comb shape and are rich in watercourses that flow, almost parallel to each other, towards the sea.
Thanks to all these characteristics of the territory, it is possible to obtain the original Olio Dop Petruziano delle Colline Teramane.