Region: Abruzzo, Italy (Vino Bianco)
Grapes: 100% Pecorino
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Passion fruit, wild yellow apples, fresh persimmon, lemon curd, and bitter almond with a slight, salty battery-acid mineral nerve and light, tea-like skin tannins
Pairing: Slow-cooked Abruzzese lamb (tegamaro di agnello), grilled lean fish, vegetarian pasta dishes, or a continuous selection of local cured meats
The Producer
Luca Bevilacqua is a deeply authoritative, fiercely independent natural winemaker operating out of Atessa, nestled within the Val di Sangro region of Abruzzo. A professional sommelier by trade, Luca stepped behind the vines in 2006 to rescue and farm a couple of hectares of ancient, 35-year-old family plots originally stewarded by his father. Operating a true micro-domain that yields fewer than 10,000 bottles a year, Luca works the land with a meticulous, holistic approach—completely banning synthetic pesticides and managing native cover crops beneath traditional pergola training systems to protect the soil from erosion. In his cellar, the winemaking process follows a strict, zero-compromise "zero-zero" framework: relying purely on spontaneous native yeast fermentations and neutral vessels with absolutely nothing added or removed.
The Wine
The 2024 "Lello" is a highly texturized, hyper-energetic white wine that flips the typically dense, high-alcohol profile of Central Italian Pecorino on its head. Sourced from a single, organically farmed hectare of vines rooted in heavy clay and marly limestone soils, the fruit captures the cooling influence of the nearby Adriatic Sea. Rather than undergoing a fast, industrial direct-press, the hand-harvested grapes are destemmed and allowed to undergo an intentional 3-day maceration on their skins during a spontaneous native yeast fermentation. The juice is then tucked away to naturally settle and mature for 6 months on its fine lees in neutral fiberglass tanks. Bottled strictly zero-zero—completely unfined, unfiltered, and with no added sulfites—this highly scannable 2024 vintage acts as a masterclass in tension; it beautifully pairs an explosive bouquet of tropical passion fruit and baked orchards with a distinct, laser-sharp salinity and a clean, lightly bitter finish.
Region: Abruzzo, Italy (Vino Bianco)
Grapes: 100% Pecorino
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Passion fruit, wild yellow apples, fresh persimmon, lemon curd, and bitter almond with a slight, salty battery-acid mineral nerve and light, tea-like skin tannins
Pairing: Slow-cooked Abruzzese lamb (tegamaro di agnello), grilled lean fish, vegetarian pasta dishes, or a continuous selection of local cured meats
The Producer
Luca Bevilacqua is a deeply authoritative, fiercely independent natural winemaker operating out of Atessa, nestled within the Val di Sangro region of Abruzzo. A professional sommelier by trade, Luca stepped behind the vines in 2006 to rescue and farm a couple of hectares of ancient, 35-year-old family plots originally stewarded by his father. Operating a true micro-domain that yields fewer than 10,000 bottles a year, Luca works the land with a meticulous, holistic approach—completely banning synthetic pesticides and managing native cover crops beneath traditional pergola training systems to protect the soil from erosion. In his cellar, the winemaking process follows a strict, zero-compromise "zero-zero" framework: relying purely on spontaneous native yeast fermentations and neutral vessels with absolutely nothing added or removed.
The Wine
The 2024 "Lello" is a highly texturized, hyper-energetic white wine that flips the typically dense, high-alcohol profile of Central Italian Pecorino on its head. Sourced from a single, organically farmed hectare of vines rooted in heavy clay and marly limestone soils, the fruit captures the cooling influence of the nearby Adriatic Sea. Rather than undergoing a fast, industrial direct-press, the hand-harvested grapes are destemmed and allowed to undergo an intentional 3-day maceration on their skins during a spontaneous native yeast fermentation. The juice is then tucked away to naturally settle and mature for 6 months on its fine lees in neutral fiberglass tanks. Bottled strictly zero-zero—completely unfined, unfiltered, and with no added sulfites—this highly scannable 2024 vintage acts as a masterclass in tension; it beautifully pairs an explosive bouquet of tropical passion fruit and baked orchards with a distinct, laser-sharp salinity and a clean, lightly bitter finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.