It's a young winery in a region with a rich wine heritage.

Vinum Hadrianum was founded in 2018 as more than just another winery. Their vision is to breathe new life into the winemaking traditions of Hadria, once one of the Roman Empire's finest viticultural areas. The goal is to grow wines that echo the past, but embrace current sustainability practices.

Native Abruzzo varieties like Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Pecorino, Passerina, and Montonico take center stage. The fruit is grown on astonishingly beautiful sites that are subject to steady winds and optimum diurnal shifts. The harvested grapes speak of this terroir, and make wines that are fresh, expressive, and delicious.

We were pleased to connect with Mavi Pena, the Export Manager of Vinum Hadrianun to learn more about the winery's vision. Enjoy our conversation about a winery where new meets old.

The Wine Write: What's the vision of Vinum Hadrianum?

Mavi: We are a boutique winery nestled in the historic hills of Atri, Abruzzo, in the heart of Central Italy between the Adriatic Sea and the Grand Sasso Mountains. We have a unique microclimate that is ideal for viticulture. 

Our team is committed to crafting wines that honor the region's rich heritage, using only native grape varieties: Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Pecorino, Passerina, and Montonico. We farm organically, obtain low yields per hectare, and maintain minimal intervention in the cellar to let our terroir shine in every bottle.

The Wine Write: Tell me about the winery's name.

Mavi: We were founded in 2018 as something more than just a new winery. We look to revive an ancient legacy inspired by the winemaking tradition of Hadria (now Atri) in Abruzzo. The wine from this land was called Vinum Hadrianum. It was considered one of the best wines in the Roman Empire. That's the inspiration for our name.

Hadria was strategically located along the Adriatic trade route, connecting Ancient Rome to the Mediterranean, both by land and by sea. The city was a point of reference for the commercial and cultural exchanges of the time. Wine was a part of that.

The Wine Write: What is the story behind the winery's logo?

Mavi: Hadria was famous for minting bronze coins. One of those featured Apollo on one side and a cantarus, a wine cup used by Greeks and Etruscans, on the other. That side symbolized Dionysus, the god of wine. This coin represents the ancient bond between our land and viticulture. That's the inspiration for our logo. It's a tribute to our heritage.

The Wine Write: How would you describe your terroir?

Mavi: Our estate spans twenty hectares, thirteen of which are devoted to vineyards. We cultivate exclusively the native grape varieties mentioned earlier guided by a clear philosophy: quality above all else. 

Our vines thrive in breathtaking landscapes, on slopes ranging from one hundred fifty to six hundred fifty meters above sea level. Some parcels  flourish within the spectacular Calanchi di Atri Natural Reserve, a dramatic terrain sculpted by erosion, where ancient marine fossils tell the story of a time where this land lay beneath the sea. 

Other vineyards are rooted in the historic winegrowing areas of Castilenti, Bisenti, Cellino Attanasio, and Pineto- territories where winemaking traditions have been carefully preserved and handed down through generations.

All of the vineyards are located on gentle hillsides. Constant winds favor the health of the vines, reducing humidity and the risk of disease. The wide temperature range between day and night plays a fundamental role. We get heat during the day to help concentrate sugars, while the cool nights preserve acidity and primary aromas. The result is fresh, expressive, and balanced wines. The soils, comprised mostly of clay, sand, and gravel, contribute further to the structure and complexity of the wines. 

The Wine Write: Are you trying to maintain the region's winemaking traditions?

Mavi: Certainly. We are devoted to reviving the ancient winemaking traditions of Rome to make wines that express both history and terroir. What sets us apart is our use of handmade clay amphorae, created by artisans from Castelli, a town famous for its centuries old ceramic craftsmanship. The vessels enrich our wines with remarkable depth and authenticity, capturing the pure essence of Abruzzo.

The amphorae we use reproduce those used over two thousand years ago. Our choice is not accidental. The soils from which our grapes grow are rich in clay, the same material with which the amphorae are forged. That creates an unbreakable bond between soil and wine.

The Wine Write: What can readers expect from the wines?

Mavi: Our wine collection features five different styles of wine: pet nat white, still whites, and rose' are all aged in stainless steel tanks. Our orange and red wines are put in amphorae and stainless steel. Your readers can expect a straightforward character, refreshing and slightly savory. They're all great for gastronomy. 

Our white wine roster is marked by delicate bouquets, fresh and floral qualities, minerality, savoriness, and pleasing finishes. Our amber wines are influenced by long macerations on the skins. They're vibrant and structured wines with freshness and balance. Our rose' is refreshing, crispy, and delicious. Our big red wine called Maximo is an amphora aged Montepulciano. It's a luscious drink marked by velvety tannins and some subtle savory notes on its finish.

The Wine Write: What inspired your bottle design?

Mavi: It drew inspiration from Roman architecture. The bottles feature a low, round shape. They're made from dark glass to shield the wines from light and preserve quality and longevity. The bottles feature a unique embossed design that captures the ancient Hadrian coin that serves as our logo. It's a nice tribute to the elegance and heritage of Vinum Hadrianum wines. 

Each label depicts the majestic mountains that embrace our vineyards. They accurately reflect the beauty and character of our terroir. A hand applied, hand punched capsule is used to seal every bottle. We believe that emphasizes the artisanal craftsmanship of our product. We received recognition for our product design from Vinitaly Design Awards in 2024.

The Wine Write: Is sustainability a priority for Vinum Hadrianum?

Mavi: It's more than a commitment. It's a philosophy that guides every step of our winemaking process. We believe in respecting the land and preserving the environment, ensuring that our practices enhance both nature and tradition.

All of our vineyards are cultivated organically. A lot of work is done in the vineyard to intervene as little as possible in the cellar. We only use estate fruit. By only using our own grapes, we maintain control over the entire production. There is full traceability from the vine to the bottle at Vinum Hadrianum. 

We support economic sustainability with a fair pricing structure. That benefits the entire supply chain, from producer to consumer. That's so important in these times. 

The Wine Write: How can my readers find Vinum Hadrianum wines to purchase?

Mavi: In the United States our wines can be purchased by contacting us directly at info@vinumhadrianum.com. We are currently seeking a dedicated importer to represent our estate in the U.S. market.

In Italy our wines are available at our two wine shops: one in Atri, and the other in Pescara, Amber Wine Corner. There you can purchase our wines and enjoy an aperitivo or dinner thoughtfully paired with our selections in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Both locations also offer a curated selection of traditional Abruzzo specialties. 

The Wine Write: Is it possible to do wine tastings or tours?

Mavi: Yes, with a prior appointment. Customers can write to info@vinumhadrianum.com to make an appointment for wine tours. We host wine tastings in our headquarters called Palazzo Sorricchio, which is a splendid ancient building and an urban extension of Palazzo Acquaviva, which you can visit along with the adjoining ducal garden. We have invested time and resources to restore this building and garden to what it was a century ago. We have hosted some cultural events in our garden and inside Palazzo Sorricchio. We'd love to see your readers.