Region: Abruzzo, Italy

Varietal: 100% Montepulciano

Producer: La Quercia was founded by four friends—Elisabetta, Antonio, Luca, and Fabio—who came together in 2000 after years working as consultants in bigger wineries. Their goal has been simple but ambitious: make Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with character, minimal intervention, and a strong sense of place. Antonio Lamona (the winemaker) has earned respect for his steadfast devotion to organic farming, very low yields, and consistently excellent Riserva wines. Among his peers in Abruzzo, La Quercia stands out as a producer that quietly delivers high quality without needing a flashy profile.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The 2020 Riserva comes from about 40-year-old Montepulciano vines grown around 210 meters elevation, in clay-rich soils. Farming is organic (though not always officially certified), and some plots are dry-farmed. After hand harvesting, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel, then aged for twelve months in large Slavonian oak barrels before spending additional time in steel prior to bottling. The approach is not about power for its own sake, but about building structure, concentration, and complexity through vine age, site, and careful oak integration.

Tasting Notes: The 2020 Riserva shows a deep garnet color. On the nose, aromas of blackberry, cassis, dried herbs, and violets blend with smoke, earth, and a touch of bitter chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and fleshy, with ripe dark fruit shaped by firm but refined tannins and bright acid that keeps it lively. There’s also a savory, herbal backbone and a fresh mineral lift on the finish. It’s drinking well now—especially with hearty food—but has enough structure to evolve further over the next several years.