Tenuta del Priore

The downturn of the 1980s led to problems and Giulio was bought out by his cousins and the focus changed more to bulk wines. In 2003 Fabrizio, son of Antonio, joined having learnt his trade outside the region, particularly with the white wines in Alto Adige at the famous San Michele Appiano Cantine. He re-focussed on quality and in particular the quality of the Montepulciano grape, taking over completely in 2008. He now runs the estate together with his wife Giovanna. The 40 hectares of vineyards, situated high up in the Colline Pescaresi in sight of the Adriatic, have been completely replanted with the emphasis on indigenous grapes, such as Pecorino, Trebbiano and Montepulciano, grown at altitudes over 250 metres high and with lower yields. Three ranges are produced, of which the Campotino is for fruit-driven, early drinking wines, fermented in stainless steel or concrete with no oak ageing. The vines here are younger and on clay soils. The Col del Mondo wines are selected from lower yielding, older vines on heavier calcareous-clay and morainic soils and see slightly longer ageing although again, they are designed to be ready to drink.