Ofena, Abruzzo. It is here that the Cataldi Madonna family began their winemaking activity in 1920. First with Baron Luigi Cataldi Madonna, then with his son Antonio, and later with Luigi, who since 1990 has made the promotion of this territory his mission—today carried forward by his daughter Giulia.
Ofena is a very particular place, often referred to as the “Oven of Abruzzo.” It is a natural amphitheater within the Gran Sasso National Park, characterized by strong temperature variations—sometimes up to 20 degrees between day and night. Thirty hectares of vineyards are cultivated with indigenous grape varieties such as Trebbiano, Pecorino and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
Organic since 2016 and among the first to produce Pecorino in Abruzzo, the Cataldi Madonna winery pays particular attention to rosé wines. We visited them during our participation in the “Food & Rosé Selection by CMB”, experiencing firsthand both their hospitality and their dedication to rosé production.
Among their wines are Cataldino, an IGT Terre Aquilane Montepulciano vinified as a white, Malandrino, a Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC made from Montepulciano, and Piè delle Vigne, also a Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC—a wine that sits somewhere between red and rosé, which in my view shows great character and remarkable versatility.
Giulia Cataldi Madonna, the current head of the winery and a perfect host (with Luigi’s permission), tells us the story of the estate and concludes the interview with an invitation to visit the winery.
An invitation I strongly recommend accepting on your next trip to Abruzzo…
