About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Zanna vineyard is situated in the hills on the right bank of the River Tronto, in the commune of Controguerra, at 287 m above sea level. This part of northern Abruzzo lies between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. Its very mild climate and fresh breezes favour grape growing. The estate’s vineyards extend over approximately 61 ha and have soils composed of clay, sand and siliceous rock.
Vinification
The grapes are among the last to be harvested, following a long ripening period, and are carefully selected. They are destemmed and crushed before fermentation in stainless-steel vats at temperatures not exceeding 30 °C. Malolactic fermentation follows.
Ageing
The wine matures for two years in 25 hl Slavonian oak barrels.
Label / history
Zanna means “wolf’s fang” in Italian, referring to the wolves historically associated with Abruzzo and still found in the region’s National Park. The name also symbolizes Illuminati’s breakthrough. The Riserva is produced only in selected vintages.
Local winegrowing is said to date to ancient times. One account relates that, after the Battle of Lake Trasimene, Hannibal found wine believed to have restorative properties near Controguerra and used it to revive his army. Nicola Illuminati began growing grapes there in 1890 and founded a winery named Fattoria Nico. His grandson Dino Illuminati later continued the family’s winemaking tradition, combining established practices with modern technology.
