In central Italy there is fossil evidence of grapevines dating back two million years, but the first traces of agricultural activities oriented to grape cultivation itself date back to the end of the Bronze Age.
In Abruzzo, the first evidence of wine production stretches back in pre-Roman times, with funerary pottery unearthed in the monumental cemeteries around L’Aquila. There are then the numerous Roman remains which attest to the spread – and the popularity – of wine, cited in the works of historians and in the verses of poets as well.
“Wine gives courage and makes men more apt for passion”, wrote Ovid, the famous elegiac poet from Sulmona in Abruzzo. Wine from this region is praised in On Agriculture by Marcus Porcius Cato, and even Hannibal, lingering in the Vibrata Valley (Teramo), was seduced by the local wine according to the Greek historian Polybius.
In the contrade (i.e. districts) of Tollo, a town in the province of Chieti, dolia (terracotta containers used for transporting wine) have been found, both intact and in fragments, now preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Chieti. These wine stores were located at the residence (rural villa), but also buried among the vines in order to retain the characteristics of the location during the transformation of must into wine. Even today it isn’t unusual to find dolia fragments in the hills around Tollo during the earthworks for planting new vineyards.
PERGOLA VINEYARDS, JUST LIKE A GARDEN, STRETCHING FOR MORE THAN 2.700 HECTARES ACROSS AN AREA WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUITED TO WINE PRODUCTION.
Our vineyards extend over an area of more than 2.700 hectares, from the coastal hills to the slopes of the Maiella, in a typically Mediterranean climate, which is temperate with notable temperature fluctuations (both throughout the year due to the presence of the Maiella massif, as well as during the day) which give optimal conditions for the build up of aromatic compounds, producing high quality grapes.
Our production exclusively focuses on typical and indigenous grape varieties of the region, cultivated in the traditional method on pergolas, with a pursuit of experimentation both in the field and in the cellar.
RECOGNITIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
CANTINA TOLLO was awarded the Title of Italian Coop-Producer of the Year in 2019 at Berliner Wein Trophy Competition, and was designated more times as Best European and Italian Coop Producer in past years (2010); recognitions which are on top of the dozens of prizes awarded to its wines.
In terms of the quality of its internal procedures, it is important to note that CANTINA TOLLO has obtained the following certifications: quality management system certification Uni En Iso 9001:2008; food safety certification Uni En Iso 22000:2005; environmental management system certification Uni En Iso 14001:2004.
As for the quality of internal procedures and product guarantee, CANTINA TOLLO has obtained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Certification and the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Certification. Each wine of the Organic Line also has the Organic Wine Certification and the Vegan Certificate.
LARGE OAK CASKS, TONNEAUX AND BARRELS, ALONGSIDE MODERN FACILITIES FOR MATURING PROCESSES, CHARACTERISE A WINE CELLAR WHICH HAS ALWAYS PLAYED A STARRING ROLE IN THE ABRUZZO WINE CULTURE.