Illuminati

Its origins go back to 1890, when Nicola Illuminati began production at the Fattoria Nicò in Controguerra, in the heart of the Colline Teramane; the estate, now run by the family with Dino and Stefano Illuminati, grows more than 130 hectares of vineyard with native varieties such as Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Pecorino and Passerina. The winery holds three naturally climate-controlled caves, dug into the rock and used for ageing in Slavonian oak barrels and barrique and for classic-method sparkling wine. Among its signature labels is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane Riserva Zanna, while the estate is among the leading interpreters of Controguerra DOC. The visit traces more than a century of Teramo winemaking history through vineyards, historic cellars and tastings.