Emidio Pepe
Abruzzo
Emidio Pepe’s estate is located in the town of Torano Nuovo in Abruzzo, Italy. The family began winemaking nearly 150 years ago, with Emidio taking over in 1964. Today, the estate is managed by the fifth generation. They produce two wines: Trebbiano (white) and Montepulciano (red), both from estate-grown, biodynamically cultivated grapes.
The winemaking process is traditional and hands-on. Grapes are hand-harvested and foot-trodden, with fermentation occurring spontaneously in glass-lined concrete tanks, a method Emidio Pepe has maintained since his first harvest. No machines are used, and no additives are incorporated; the wines undergo fermentation only with natural, native yeast strains. After fermentation, the wines are aged for 18-24 months in these concrete tanks, which are considered the natural habitat for the wine, allowing it to express itself without external influences. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, without added sulfur dioxide.
A unique aspect of their process is the decanting protocol for wines aged over ten years. Each bottle is hand-decanted to remove natural sediments, and a new cork is added, engraved with the year of decanting. For example, a bottle released in 2018 that was decanted in 2018 will have a cork marked with that year.
This meticulous approach results in wines that are true expressions of the region, showcasing the unique terroir of Abruzzo. Emidio Pepe’s commitment to traditional, biodynamic practices has solidified the estate’s reputation for producing age-worthy and distinctive wines.
