La Quercia

A “true blue,” grizzled farmer-type, winemaker Antonio Lamona is both utterly likeable and totally invested in his wines. Although his father also grew grapes, Antonio is the first in the family to bottle his own and, beginning in the late sixties, began cultivating vines that are entirely organic. As Antonio says, “I would rather forgo an entire vintage than put man-made pesticides in my soil.” Located just 3 km uphill from the Adriatic and a morning’s drive from the 9,000-foot Gran Sasso, Antonio’s farm is entirely self-sustaining: they produce their own salami, bread, vegetables, olive oil, and cheese. True, you won’t find a “discoteca” within a hundred miles of the place, but in terms of sheer, natural beauty and down-to-earth hospitality, there’s no better place to see.

One of La Quercia’s most remarkable qualities is their consistency. Regardless of what may be happening elsewhere in Italy, Antonio’s estate remains steadfast in terms of both style and quality from one vintage to the next. This, in part, is thanks to their unique location. The town of Morro d’Oro, in the small, coastal province of Teramo, is protected on one side by the Adriatic Sea (constant breezes ensure they have virtually no mold or pest issues), and on its flank by the Apennine Mountains. These natural barriers form a beautiful “pocket” with 300 days of sun per year and comparatively few climate variations. In addition, the Colli Apruntini IGP is actually analogous with the Colline Teramane (‘Hills of Teramo’) DOCG, meaning that La Quercia’s everyday vines are grown alongside some of the very best in Abruzzo.

With 46 non-contiguous hectares spread about town, La Quercia is a touch larger than most estates in the Small Vineyards portfolio – but they still embody the spirit of our company from stem to stern. One reason is that, when it comes to picking by hand and personally escorting the wines from soil to bottle, Antonio is far from alone. While he remains the winemaker and enologist, ownership of La Quercia is shared with three of his lifelong friends - Elisabetta Di Berardino, Fabio Pedicone and Luca Moretti. So, when it comes to “all hands on deck”, La Quercia has four families lending assistance!