Dino Illuminati

When the winery was initially called Fattoria Nico, named after the founder Nicola Illuminati, the wine, which was initially only produced in small quantities, was still bottled in glass balloons. Since the 1970s, the Abruzzi estate, which dates back to the late 19th century and has long been known under the name Dino Illuminati, has experienced a great surge in quality. Today, the wines are sought after all over the world. Every year, six out of ten bottles are exported to five continents. The family winery is located between the sea and the mountains, almost on the border with the Marche, in the municipality of Controguerra in the DOCG Colline Teramane. Dino Illuminati (†2023), also known to many as the "Cavaliere del Lavoro", was the estate's trend-setting winemaker for decades. His son Stefano has now taken over the management of the winery and is successfully continuing his father's legacy. He is supported by his siblings Lorenzo and Anna. Dino was not only an important winemaker, but also an important personality in the development of the region of origin, and his influence will continue to be felt in the work of the family business.

The area around Controguerra is one of the most productive wine-growing zones in Abruzzo. The area used by the Azienda Agricola Dino Illuminati for the cultivation of red and white grapes has increased almost ninefold over the course of time, from 15 hectares at the beginning. The grey eminence of the Colline Teramane is often quoted as saying: "I chose the wine and forgot everything else. But I have never regretted it.". The Illuminati winery uses state-of-the-art technology to vinify its fine wines.

The seventeen wines prepared in the cellar - red, white and rosé - are wines with a strong character and often very terroir-specific. One of the three flagship wines - alongside Pieluni and Lumen - is Zanna, a classic Montepulciano from this Abruzzi growing region. This fine wine, which has often been honoured with a three-glass set by the wine guide Gambero Rosso, can not only easily hold its own against competing products thanks to its complexity, richness and strong personality, but is probably even the best Colline Teramane of all. The grapes used for this noble growth come from a vineyard that is more than 45 years old and has a magnificent Abruzzi pergola cultivation. Dino named his Pieluni wine after his three grandchildren Pierpaolo, Ludovica and Nicola. The Illuminati's red wines are made almost exclusively from single-varietal Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. SUPERIORE.DE

"You write Controguerra and read Colline Teramane. And it was here in this winery that the Colline Teramane adventure began for this wonderful region of Abruzzo." Gambero Rosso