Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

The red wines made in the D.O.C. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo are made from mountain vineyards, planted at a maximum altitude of 500 metres (sometimes as much as 600m when facing south). If this requirement is not met, the wine cannot be considered part of this denomination.

When it comes to Cantina Orsogna, this criterion is more than met by having vineyards planted at 450 metres above sea level where Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is born. This project, set up in 2005 by a group of local winegrowers, has its vineyards in the province of Abruzzo, in Orsogna, between the Majella and Gran Sasso massifs. Both areas, located in the Apennines, have a mountainous climate with cold winters and hot summers, which is perfect for growing vineyards. The grapes wouldn’t ripen properly without the sea breezes (the site is 15 km from the Adriatic Sea) and the dry mountain air, which prevents the spread of fungal diseases during the rainy months (which are very abundant).

There is nowhere else in the world with all of these conditions. This is the only place. That is why at Cantina Orsogna, where they are well aware of this, they really care about preserving this area for the future, looking after it well and leaving a legacy for future generations. They were already using organic agriculture, but it wasn’t enough. So they decided to go biodynamic, becoming a world leader. Their wines are all traditional and still typical of the area, like this single-variety Montepulciano, which is completely vegan and biodynamic.

The grapes used to make Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva grow on sandy-clay soils and are harvested by hand in 20 kg crates. However, not all the bunches will reach the winery, as only the best quality ones can be used for vinification. When they reach the winery and have been selected, the grapes are processed and crushed, going onto macerate where the must is in contact with the skins. After 2 weeks, Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva ferments spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. It will stay there for some time until malolactic fermentation, when it is transferred directly to small 225-litre French oak barrels. This process will be closely monitored and supervised by the winery’s oenologists who, after several tastings and checks, will give the go-ahead for bottling and the final stage of the wine’s development.