2025 Ciavolich - Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC (750ml)

The Ciavolich family, wool merchants of Bulgarian origin, settled in Abruzzo around 1560 and built their first cellar in the town of Miglianico in 1853. A marriage between Giuseppe Ciavolich and the noblewoman Ernesta Vicini later drew the family's holdings toward Loreto Aprutino, a zone many now consider Abruzzo's finest for wine. Since 2004 the estate has been run by Chiara Ciavolich, who has become one of the region's most visible advocates for quality, working across steel, concrete, wood, and terracotta amphorae to express the character of native varieties like Montepulciano, Pecorino, and Trebbiano.

This Cerasuolo comes from the estate's youngest vineyard rows in Loreto Aprutino, planted in 2011 with Montepulciano trained on the traditional Abruzzese pergola. The grapes are hand harvested, crushed, and destemmed, then given only about eight hours of skin contact before being pressed off and vinified much like a white wine. Fermentation takes place at controlled temperature in stainless steel, and the wine rests until January or February before bottling.

The result shows lovely pink reflections and light, fruity, floral aromas typical of the variety, carrying through to a fresh, savory palate that invites the next sip. It's a versatile match for light appetizers, seafood, or simple white meat dishes.