Summary
Tenuta Ulisse is one of the most modern and dynamic wine estates in Abruzzo. The family estate near Crecchio in the province of Chieti was established in 2006 by the brothers Luigi and Antonio Ulisse – with the clear aim of drawing out the potential of Abruzzo's grapes in a contemporary way. Across around 65 hectares between the Adriatic and the Apennines it produces concentrated, fruit-driven reds from Montepulciano as well as fresh, aromatic whites from native varieties such as Pecorino, Passerina, Trebbiano and Cococciola. The estate became known above all for the cuvée Amaranta, a pure Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that regularly earns top international ratings.
History
Today's Tenuta Ulisse is a comparatively young estate: it was established in 2006 from the vision of the brothers Luigi and Antonio Ulisse to steer Abruzzo's viticulture firmly towards quality and a modern, internationally appealing style. The family's connection to wine, however, reaches back much further – earlier generations of the Ulisse family already farmed vines in the region and made wine for local sale.
On this family foundation the brothers built an estate that combines tradition and innovation: native grape varieties and the typical soils of the province of Chieti on the one hand, modern cellar technology and a clear, fruit-driven style on the other. Within a few years Tenuta Ulisse developed into one of the best-known names of the Abruzzo wine scene.
Location & Terroir
The vineyards of Tenuta Ulisse lie in the south of Abruzzo, around Crecchio in the province of Chieti – in a landscape shaped by the Adriatic to the east and the Apennines to the west. This position between sea and mountains provides a favourable interplay of Mediterranean warmth, cooling night winds and good ventilation, giving the grapes ripeness and freshness at the same time.
The vineyards are spread around Crecchio and towards Lanciano and Ortona. Characteristic are the calcareous and clayey soils, such as those used around Crecchio for the Montepulciano. The family farms its vineyards largely itself and close to nature, aiming to bring the character of each variety and each site into the bottle as faithfully as possible.
Style & Philosophy
Stylistically, Tenuta Ulisse stands for a modern, very approachable Abruzzo wine. For the Montepulciano this means dense, deeply coloured reds with ripe, juicy fruit, soft tannins and a careful ageing in French and American barrels. Instead of rustic power, the emphasis is on a polished, drinkable style – wines that already give pleasure young, yet at the top level also bring ageing potential.
Equally important to the estate is its work with the native white varieties of Abruzzo. From Pecorino, Passerina, Trebbiano and Cococciola come fresh, aromatic whites – a conscious contribution to preserving native grapes, some of them rare. Added to this is the Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, the region's traditional rosé made from Montepulciano. In this way Tenuta Ulisse combines the ambition to safeguard Abruzzo's oenological heritage with a decidedly contemporary signature.
Notable Sites & Wines
The range extends from accessible estate and varietal wines to the more ambitious top wines. Among the best known are:
- Amaranta – pure Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and the estate's flagship, concentrated and highly rated internationally
- Ulisse and Nativae – further Montepulciano lines in the modern, fruit-driven style
- Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo – the classic Abruzzo rosé made from Montepulciano
- White wines from Pecorino, Passerina, Trebbiano and Cococciola (some as Terre di Chieti IGT)
The wines are marketed mainly as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Abruzzo DOC/DOP, complemented by the regional origin Terre di Chieti IGT for some of the whites.
Awards
Tenuta Ulisse became internationally known above all through the cuvée Amaranta: this pure Montepulciano d'Abruzzo earned top ratings from the taster Luca Maroni over several vintages and was repeatedly counted by him among the best Italian wines. The estate's wines also receive regular attention in other guides and competitions – for example at Gambero Rosso. In this way the comparatively young Tenuta Ulisse is today one of the most internationally visible ambassadors of modern Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.