Praesidium

Praesidium is a winemaker based in Prezza, in the Peligna Valley near L’Aquila in Abruzzo, a landlocked, mountainous setting that plays a decisive role in shaping the character of its wines. The landscape is characterised by the proximity of the Apennine mountains, with significant daily temperature variations and conditions favourable to the slow ripening of the grapes, particularly Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a grape variety with which the region has historic ties. The name itself evokes the village’s ancient role as a garrison and highlights the close relationship between the location, the raw materials and the winemaking identity.

The approach to viticulture prioritises organic vineyard management, with careful cultivation and minimal intervention, focused on the quality of the grapes and the preservation of the natural balance. In the winery, this same philosophy translates into minimally invasive winemaking practices: spontaneous fermentation, the use of indigenous yeasts, clarification through natural decanting, and the avoidance of forced filtration unless strictly necessary. The Montepulciano is produced using extended maceration and ageing processes that enhance its structure and depth without obscuring the fruit’s original character.

Praesidium’s style is characterised by its pursuit of wines that are authentic, full of texture and deeply rooted in their terroir, in which the character of the grape variety blends with the freshness and vitality of the Peligno landscape. The result is a restrained and authentic interpretation of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, rooted in tradition yet expressed with artisanal precision.