The Conero Riviera is a wine-growing region overlooking the Adriatic Sea, centred around the Monte Conero promontory and the hills that stretch from Ancona, via Camerano, Sirolo and Numana, towards the hinterland. The landscape alternates between gentle hills, well-exposed slopes and rocky outcrops, in a setting strongly influenced by its proximity to the sea.
The Mediterranean climate, tempered by sea breezes and sheltered by the Conero hills, features hot summers with low humidity and conditions favourable to the ripening of the grapes. The temperature variations caused by the interaction between the coastal air and the hills help to maintain balance and freshness, whilst the sunny exposures ensure steady and complete ripening.
The geology is remarkably varied: limestone and Cretaceous rocks outcrop along the coast and alternate with clayey, sandy, marly and pelitic-sandy soils. This diversity of soil types provides the vineyards with varying conditions in terms of drainage, depth and water availability, resulting in wines with a distinct territorial character.
The main grape variety of the Riviera del Conero is Montepulciano, found predominantly in the Rosso Conero DOC and Conero DOCG appellations, where it may be blended with Sangiovese. Here it produces dry, structured and savoury red wines, with aromas of dark fruit, floral and spicy notes, pronounced tannins and a natural aptitude for ageing. The DOCG version, made from grapes harvested in well-exposed hillside vineyards, undergoes a maturation period that enhances its complexity, smoothness and depth.
Alongside the reds, the local tradition also includes rosé wines made from Montepulciano, which combine aromatic intensity with a lively palate. Viticulture in the Conero region has its roots in the ancient history of the Ancona area and today incorporates traditional practices, vertical trellising, targeted pruning and winemaking techniques designed to bring out the unique character of the grapes and soils.
