Brand New From Abruzzo’s Tenuta I Fauri

TENUTA I FAURI:
Chieti, Abruzzo

If you know where to search, Abruzzo is a region which selectively has superb value whites and reds.

Though good quality-to-price wines can still be found in Italy, we’ve all watched prices rise significantly over the last four or five years in more well known regions such as Piedmont, Friuli and Tuscany.

Like the wines from Azienda Faraone a bit north of I Fauri, we’ve been especially impressed by Abruzzo’s brother/sister team of Luigi and Valentina DiCamillo. While our first visit with them was almost a decade ago, via our “almost direct imports” work and partnerships, we’ve finally been able to bring their wines to Oregon.

Each wine is a real value and we encourage
you to sample them all.

You’ll find Valentina (photo above) and Luigi at their winery in the tiny town of Ari, south of Chieti, where their vines are beautifully situated between the Apennines steep Maiella mountains and the Adriatic sea. Their vineyard locations allow then to take advantage of the cool winds from the mountains as well as the saline sea breezes.

Shop i fauri here

THE WINES

One of many things we love about I Fauri is their single varietal bottlings of the region’s hallmark grapes - Trebbiano, Passerina, Pecorino and Montepulciano (not to be confused with Tuscany’s Montepulciano red made from Sangiovese). Each wine is gorgeously produced via organic principles and each are excellent examples of their grapes, winemaking style and their superb terroir.

Trebbiano D’Abruzzo DOC Baldovino 2022
From 100% trebbiano abruzzese grapes, the 2022 is vibrant, appealing, fresh and zesty. Gold-tinted, I Fauri’s trebbiano white, made in concrete tank, offers aromas of flowers and apples. Also it is very favorable for the budget. $17.50

Passerina IGT Colline Teatrine 2022
One of Abruzzo and the Adriatic’s oldest white grapes, Passerina has found the right producers of late (like I Fauri), and though minuscule quantities make to our shores, the good versions are wonderful. Saline, crisp and spicy, a wine to investigate for sure, maybe with some seafood or your favorite fowl recipe. $20.00

Pecorino DOC 2021
Floral, orchardy (!) and luscious: this is a white to enjoy now, and its big on the value scale. Golden hued and made in stainless steel, one writer mentions its tactile feel and a note of candied ginger. Their 100% Pecorino (from the word sheep) is dry, herbal and reflective. A serious wine for the price. $23.00

“Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo” DOC 2022
A cool and exciting specialty of both Abruzzo and the montepulciano grape, “cerasuolo d’abruzzo” is an official classification of this wine. (Arguably the country’s finest rosatos are from this region.) Forget whatever you may fear from the word rosato (or rosé), this is pretty intense wine from a hefty and gripping grape. Have a taste. $17.50

Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC Baldovino 2021
Quite possibly Italy’s top value red wine grape, and there are oceans of it available - some quite less than divine, others over $100 a bottle. In this case I Fauri’s is a winner on all counts. Powerful, intense and fragrant, the 2021 was made in stainless steel, keeping it fresh and savory. Energetic and engaging, if the bottle makes it through the first night, it will easily maintain its form for a few days. $17.50

Also available from I Fauri - Vino Spumante Pecorino Brut 2021, Le Belle Vino Bianco Frizzante Metodo Ancestrale