Pietrantonj Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2021

A house with records dating back to 1791 and an official start in 1830, Italo Pietrantonj is as old as it gets for wineries from Abruzzo (literally the oldest). Eight winemaking generations deep in the town of Vittorita, Pietrantonj is rich with family heritage and tradition. Now the winery is run by two sisters, Roberta and Alice, whose great-great-great-grandfather Niccolo was the first certified winemaker in the Abruzzo region, gaining a diploma from the Royal School of Conegliano Veneto in 1889. Just over 60 hectares of estate vineyards high up in the rolling hills of the Apinine Mountains are farmed today. In a respectful nod to its roots, the house shows off its 9,500 gallon oak and walnut barrels (now lined with stainless steel for preservation and continued use) from 1870, and two 37,000 gallon tanks lined with beautiful Murano tiles that were built in 1893. A house with as much history as their wines have depth and intrigue, the classic wines of Pietrantonj are not to be missed. Their Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a classically styled rosé from the Abruzzo region where the grapes are solely sourced from the Collina Tesa vineyard, and after a very gentle pressing, the juice is only macerated for 12-16 hours with the skins in order to impart the perfect pink cherry hue.  Fantastically fresh, bright, a touch floral, and loaded with lovely earth tones and fruit, this Classic Cherry (Cerasuolo) wine fits the ideal dry yet gastronomic rosé profile. Harmoniously balanced, with a lingering finish backed by hints of almond, this wine is always well suited for the dinner table.