Terre Tollesi

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG Ultra-rare

DOCG 2019 - Italy's 75th DOCG, first DOC-to-DOCG elevation in 8 years, tiny Tollo-centered appellation, 19 hectares, Chieti province Adriatic coast

Region profile

History

Tullum was the Roman name for the town of Tollo in Abruzzo's Chieti province. Viticulture tradition dates to Roman settlement era. Modern recognition began with DOC establishment July 2008 as Tullum DOC (also known as Terre Tollesi). For a decade, the tiny appellation produced wines from Abruzzo's dominant Montepulciano, plus promising whites Pecorino, Passerina, Falanghina, and Trebbiano. 2019: DOCG granted - Italy's 75th DOCG and first DOC-to-DOCG promotion since 2011 (8-year gap). DOCG narrowed permitted varieties for quality focus, dropping Trebbiano and Falanghina whites. Feudo Antico and Vigneti Radica remain the only DOCG bottlers.

Climate
Mediterranean with Adriatic influence; centered around town of Tollo in Chieti province; few miles inland from Adriatic coast; vineyards must be minimum 80m above sea level (valley floor prohibited); altitude 80-500m; warm Adriatic summers, mild winters; clay-limestone soils provide excellent drainage; constant sea breezes moderate temperatures and reduce disease pressure
Signature wines
Terre Tollesi/Tullum Montepulciano DOCG (Feudo Antico - organic pioneer; Vigneti Radica - boutique quality); Pecorino DOCG (mineral white, indigenous variety); deep ruby Montepulciano with black cherry, plum, spice; Pecorino shows citrus, herbs, almond; pairs with lamb arrosticini, brodetto fish stew, aged pecorino cheese
What sets it apart
Italy's 75th DOCG (2019); first DOC-to-DOCG promotion in 8 years (since 2011); TINY appellation - only 19 hectares (vs Colline Teramane ~3000ha); only 2 bottlers (Feudo Antico, Vigneti Radica); Roman settlement name (Tullum = Tollo); valley floor grapes prohibited (min 80m altitude); Abruzzo's second DOCG after Colline Teramane; DOCG narrowed varieties for quality (dropped Trebbiano, Falanghina)

Facts

  • DOC July 2008 (Tullum DOC, named after Roman settlement)
  • DOCG 2019 (Italy's 75th DOCG, first DOC promotion in 8 years since 2011)
  • only 19 hectares (47 acres) and 687 hectoliters (7,640 cases) 2017
  • second Abruzzo DOCG after Colline Teramane 2003
  • only TWO bottlers using Tullum label: Feudo Antico and Vigneti Radica
  • wines must be bottled in Tullum zone (no outside bottling)
  • grapes from valley floor (<80m elevation) prohibited
  • Tullum was ancient Roman settlement name for Tollo