The Abruzzo Beast That Gets Better With Age

Madonnella takes its name from Italy's protective street shrines—the sacred Madonnas that watch over communities from every corner, and this wine carries that same guardian spirit.

This single-variety Montepulciano is Pasetti's original masterpiece and their "classic" label for good reason, delivering pure, undiluted Abruzzo power in every bottle. While other wines blend and compromise, Madonnella stands alone and dominates with intense red fruit that hits like a flavor bomb and a color so deep it's almost black. Those rich tannins aren't just for show—they're building something incredible over time.

This is the wine that rewards patience, the bottle that transforms from impressive today to absolutely magnificent tomorrow.

While exploring the coastal beauty of Pescara, where the Adriatic meets Abruzzo's rugged charm, BHW founder Greg Martellotto made a discovery that would change everything. Every top restaurant in town were proudly pouring wines from one family: the Pasettis.

After falling in love with these wines during his holiday, Greg knew he had to meet the family behind them at Vinitaly. What followed was immediate—a direct import partnership that broke all our own rules. While BHW typically imports just one or two wines per producer, Pasetti's entire range was so extraordinary that we brought them all.

These aren't just some of Abruzzo's finest wines—they consistently rank among Italy's absolute best. We're thrilled to introduce you to the Pasetti legacy.

The Pasetti vineyards occupy something truly special: prime real estate inside Gran Sasso National Park. These are the same imposing Apennine peaks visible from Rome on clear days—mountain wines born from altitude and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. This is where rustic charm meets sunny hospitality, earning recognition from Wine Spectator as a "stunning, under-explored, year-round destination" and praise from Travel + Leisure for "stunning ocean views, three national parks, and rolling vineyards."

The Pasetti story began in the early 1900s when great-grandfather Silvestro purchased the first vineyards, starting as a humble grape grower. His grandson Franco made the bold leap to bottling under their own label, but the family's journey wasn't without struggle. Phylloxera devastated their vineyards, yet they emerged stronger, rebuilding in the 1950s to become a regional icon. Today, Mimmo Pasetti leads alongside his children Francesca, Rachele, Massimo, and Davide, continuing to elevate the family legacy with wines as distinctive as the region itself. This is a true family affair—every child involved in winemaking, sales, marketing, and administration.

High in the Pescosansonesco vineyards at 550 meters above sea level, something extraordinary happens. Clay-calcareous soils rich in organic matter meet dramatic temperature swings and refreshing Adriatic breezes, creating terroir that's perfect for wines with bold acidity, powerful structure, and incredible aging potential. As Domenico Pasetti puts it: "Wine is not an exact science but an experience of life." Each bottle carries generations of love, sacrifice, and vision for the future.

Aging: 12 months in large oak barrels and aging in bottle

100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Intense red ruby wine. Hints of sour berries, currant and blackberries, along with hints shades of licorice, cinnamon and black pepper. Tasting it, this wine is soft, with elegant and mature tannins. Excellent structure and persistence.

~94+ Greg Martellotto, BHW Founder, Vinitaly Italian Wine Ambassador

Full-bodied red with blueberries, raspberries, licorice and incense on the nose. Firm and chewy tannins here, supporting rather than detracting from the fruit. Try in 2024. ~94 James Suckling (v.2021)

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