Abruzzo, Italy
Emidio Pepe
Emidio Pepe is regarded as the King of Abruzzo — a man who breathed new life into both the region and its wines. Today, his estate has achieved cult status, and his wines rank among the finest in Italy.
For a long time, the true potential of the native grape varieties Trebbiano and Montepulciano went unrecognised, as previous generations had sold low-quality bulk wines. Emidio, however, took a stand against this trend and chose quality over quantity.
A pioneer of sustainable winemaking
In 1964, Emidio founded his own estate in Torano Nuovo with 15 hectares of vineyards, which he now runs together with his daughters. From the very beginning, he worked entirely by hand, avoiding fertilisers in the vineyard and additives in the cellar. He also never used oak, preferring instead to age his wines in concrete. His philosophy is to work in harmony with nature so that his wines truly express their origin.
Montepulciano with ageing potential
Initially ridiculed, his craftsmanship gradually won over admirers and imitators on the road to success. His Montepulciano, in particular, has gained a devoted following and continues to attract attention. The wines are best left to mature for several years — once aged, they reveal themselves as a true revelation.
