Anteprima Vini Abruzzo is one of the wine festivals that anchors the Abruzzo calendar, drawing both local visitors and international wine travellers each year. It is held at Chieti or Pescara (rotating) in Italy, in the heart of one of Italy's most distinctive wine areas. It is an annual event with an established local audience and a consistent place in the regional calendar.
Annual presentation of Abruzzo wines by the regional consortium. Producers pour Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and the increasingly visible Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo rose, with masterclasses on the area's contrast between coastal and high-altitude vineyards. Trade-focused but with public-facing sessions during the run of the event. Italian anteprima events are the moments when each appellation's new vintages are formally introduced to the wine trade and the press. Producers typically pour current and library vintages side by side, with masterclasses on the vintage character, expert panels assessing the year's growing conditions, and structured comparisons across producers. The events serve as the entry point for the new wines into the international market, drawing buyers, sommeliers and journalists from around the world. Most anteprima events are weighted toward trade and press attendance, but include public-facing days or open masterclasses during the run of the event for wine enthusiasts willing to plan ahead. The event is organised by Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo, which sets the tone and direction of the programme each year.
Abruzzo is best known for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a characterful red made from the Montepulciano grape, alongside Trebbiano d'Abruzzo whites and the distinctive Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo rose. The region stretches from the Adriatic coast inland to the high peaks of the Apennines, giving producers an unusual range of altitudes and microclimates. The Edoardo Valentini estate, in particular, has set a benchmark for the region internationally.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for Spring 2026 (dates TBC). Cost details: Trade event (some public sessions). Full programme, ticketing and updated information are published on the official site at https://www.consorziovinidabruzzo.it/. Visitors are advised to check directly with the organiser for the latest schedule, as Italian festival programmes are sometimes updated close to the event date.
Abruzzo is reached via Pescara or Rome, with the wine area concentrated around Chieti, Pescara, Teramo and L'Aquila. The region combines wine tourism with the dramatic landscapes of the Gran Sasso, Maiella and Sirente-Velino national parks, and the Trabocchi coast — the southern Adriatic stretch dotted with traditional fishing platforms. Abruzzese cuisine pairs the wines with arrosticini (mutton skewers), maccheroni alla chitarra, brodetto alla pescarese, and the local pecorinos and ricottas.
