About the Wine

While traveling through the coastal town of Pescara overlooking the Adriatic Sea in Abruzzo, OVW owner and founder, Greg Martellotto, stumbled upon the wines of Pasetti. It seemed like all of the best restaurants in the area proudly featured the wines from the Pasetti's. After enjoying the wines while on holiday, he made a point to meet the family at Vinitaly. A direct import relationship quickly followed. Typically, OVW imports one or two wines from a winery. In this case, all of the wines were so impressive, we imported the whole range of wines. The wines from Pasetti are hands down some of the best from the Abruzzo region and indeed, at the top of many lists as among the best wines in all of Italy. We're pleased to introduce you to the Pasetti family.

The Pasetti vineyards are uniquely located inside of the Gran Sasso National Park. If you've been to Rome, on a clear day you can see the imposing Apennine mountains. These are mountain wines from altitude surrounded by the majestic beauty. This is a land of rustic charm and sunny hospitality. Wine Spectator calls it a “stunning, under-explored, year-round destination” and Travel + Leisure raves about its “stunning ocean views, three national parks, and rolling vineyards.”

The story of the Pasetti estate began in the early 1900s when Mimmo Pasetti’s great-grandfather Silvestro purchased the first vineyards, starting out as a grape grower. It was his grandson Franco who had the bold idea to bottle their wines under their own label. The family has weathered many storms, including the devastation of phylloxera, which wiped out many vineyards. They emerged stronger, reestablishing their vineyards in the 1950s and becoming a regional icon. Today, Mimmo Pasetti, along with his children Francesca Rachele, Massimo, and Davide, continue to elevate the family legacy, producing wines that are as distinctive as the region itself. This is a true family affair with all of the children involved in every aspect of the winery from winemaking, to sales and marketing and administration.

High up in the Pescosansonesco vineyards, at a lofty 550 meters above sea level, the magic happens. The clay-calcareous soils, rich in organic matter, paired with dramatic temperature swings and refreshing sea breezes coming from the Adriatic sea, create a terroir that’s perfect for crafting wines with bold acidity, powerful structure, and incredible aging potential.

As Domenico Pasetti says, “Wine is not an exact science but an experience of life.” Each bottle is a legacy of love and sacrifice, with a vision for the future.

Ready to experience it? Let it breathe in your glass for some minutes before diving in. This wine is a match made in heaven for dishes like tomato-based pasta, wild boar, red meats, and aged cheeses.

Montepulciano, native to Abruzzo, thrives in clayey soils and stands up to droughts. This late-ripening grape boasts one of the highest anthocyanin concentrations in the world. Packed with rich tannins and intense red fruit notes that are truly mesmerizing.

Aging: 24 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: 100% Montepulciano. A deep and consistent ruby red hue. The bouquet is complex, ample, and elegant, showcasing ripe red fruits, cherry liqueur, and violet, with subtle hints of hazelnut, black pepper, and coffee. On the palate, this wine is soft and balanced with a vibrant acidity, persistent and vigorous, featuring refined tannins.

Reviews

~92+ Città del Vino

Beautiful dark purple colour with purplish tints. Engaging nose combining stone fruit, fine spices, mocha and oak undertones. A concentrated, powerful wine, still young, with a classic vegetal finish. A fine piece of work. ~91 Gilbert & Gaillard