Cataldi Madonna

OVERVIEW

Estate

The winery’s history began in 1920 with Baron Luigi Cataldi Madonna, four generations ago. His son Antonio first bottled wine in 1975, and in 1990 his grandson Luigi took over, continuing the mission to develop distinctive products and promote the region. Until the early 1990s, the estate was almost the only one in the Ofena wine region. Now the winery is managed by Luigi’s daughter, Giulia.

Climate

The Forno d’Abruzzo is a unique oven because it lies beneath the Calderone, the only glacier in the Apennines and the southernmost in our hemisphere: in short, an oven with a built-in refrigerator. The air blowing down from the mountain cools the summer days as if a giant natural air conditioner were at work.

Soil

The soils are predominantly clay-limestone with abundant calcareous stones, ensuring both good drainage and moisture retention. This composition enhances minerality, freshness, and structure, giving the wines precision, elegance, and a strong sense of place.

Vineyards

30 hectares with native grape varieties like Montepulciano, Pecorino, and Trebbiano, at altitudes of 1,079-1,443 feet.

Cultivation

Cataldi Madonna uses traditional training systems such as pergola and spalliera. These methods enable optimal canopy management and sun exposure, ensuring balanced ripening and preserving the grapes' natural freshness. Harvest occurs relatively late, often between late September and October, to ensure full phenolic ripeness while preserving freshness.

Winery

The winery is designed with a strong focus on functionality and precision, featuring temperature-controlled stainless-steel fermentation tanks and dedicated areas for aging in both steel and oak. The layout allows for careful separation of each production phase, ensuring full control over every step and preserving the purity and identity of the wines.

Family

The Cataldi Madonna family has been dedicated to winemaking since 1920, passing down knowledge and passion through generations. Today, alongside Luigi Cataldi Madonna, the new generation is represented by Giulia, whose presence reflects the continuity of the family legacy and a forward-looking vision rooted in tradition.

Winemaker

Lorenzo Landi is a highly regarded Italian enologist known for precision, consistency, and deep respect for terroir. His approach blends technical expertise with refined sensitivity to craft wines that are balanced, expressive, and true to their origin.

Focus Point

• Historic family winery founded in 1920, rooted in the high-altitude plateau of Ofena (Abruzzo). • Strong identity linked to altitude and extreme climate, with significant day–night temperature variation. • Long-standing expertise led by Luigi Cataldi Madonna, with involvement of the new generation. • Enological guidance by Lorenzo Landi, ensuring consistency and refinement.