The Family of former sharecroppers who won the coveted Tre Bicchieri with their Abruzzese wine

A multifaceted Abruzzo wine world full of surprises. The diverse world of Abruzzo wines never ceases to amaze, not only with new ventures that emerge here and there—clear signs of a resilient industry—but also through the evolution taking place within individual wineries. These gradual revolutions often redefine styles and goals. The Spinelli family’s story is a testament to this transformative spirit.

Change woven into their DNA

"We didn’t start as winemakers," says Vincenzo Spinelli, who manages the business side of the family venture. "Our journey into the world of grapes was gradual." To understand their story, one must first locate their home base: "We’re in the heart of the Sangro Valley, in Atessa, a region that today is a mix of agriculture and industry. After World War II, however, it was almost entirely dedicated to growing vegetables and fruit." Vincenzo’s grandfather, also named Vincenzo, was a sharecropper. When the sharecropping system ended, he was granted a small amount of land. That marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, driven by the family’s defining trait: "We can’t sit still. We need to reinvent ourselves and innovate—it’s in our DNA," Vincenzo confesses. With his brother and their respective families, Grandfather Vincenzo continued farming while establishing a profitable trade with mountain communities. Among the goods they sold was grapes, which the mountain folk used to make wine. That sparked an idea: "Why not sell them wine instead?" It was a bold leap, taken despite limited land and financial resources, but the gamble paid off. Over time, the vineyards grew, and the business evolved from selling wine in bulk to bottling their own, with the next generation—Vincenzo’s father Carlo and uncle Adriano—steering the company forward.

Expanding markets and a strategic vision

This marked the beginning of a success story that expanded across multiple commercial platforms, both in Italy and abroad. "We’ve worked across various market segments—HORECA, large retailers—and since the mid-1980s, we’ve been exploring international markets. By the 2000s, 60% of our revenue came from exports, with 40% from the domestic market. However, since 2008, we’ve refocused on Italy. It’s true that no one is a prophet in their own land, but we believe in the domestic market and wanted to invest in it. Today, our revenue is evenly split between Italy and international markets," explains Vincenzo.

Collaboration withgrape growers

The Spinelli family currently owns around 100 hectares of vineyards located between Atessa and Lanciano, with additional focus on the southern part of Chieti province. To meet the demands of diverse markets, they have long collaborated with trusted partner grape growers. "We took inspiration from the best—the cooperatives of Alto Adige. Although we’re a private company, we work closely with several growers. We’ve asked them to join our vision, and they’ve become true partners. Throughout the year, we support them with agronomic advice and administrative assistance, guiding them on the types of grapes we need while ensuring they get the best price for their harvest. It’s a deeply integrated collaboration," Vincenzo says.

An ambitious project

"Our strength lies in having the flexibility of a family business combined with the stability of a highly structured organization," Vincenzo continues. This blend of qualities has enabled the company to create a new wine line, Le Stagioni del Vino. A highlight of this collection is the Trebbiano 2021, which earned them the prestigious Tre Bicchieri. "Our goal has always been to offer a high-quality, everyday wine for a broad audience. Over the years, we’ve added premium lines crafted from select vineyards or exceptional vintages. This time, we wanted to aim even higher, especially with white wines, an area we hadn’t focused on as much."

To bring this vision to life, they enlisted Enrico Paternoster, a winemaking consultant from Alto Adige. "He became our GPS on an unfamiliar path. We wanted to create a wine that embodied the DNA of Abruzzo but with a fresh perspective, and we hope we’ve succeeded."

Trebbiano 'Le Stagioni del Vino' and their first Tre Bicchieri

The Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Le Stagioni del Vino 2021 certainly made an impression during tastings. It boasts an elegant smoky character complemented by notes of aromatic herbs and citrus. On the palate, it delivers vibrant sapidity, tension, and a luminous finish. "We didn’t expect the Tre Bicchieri award," Vincenzo admits, "but we dreamed of it. After ten years of development, we introduced this line to the market three years ago. We wanted it to be perfect before its release, and the award confirms we were on the right track."