Today we are talking about a vineyard that is very dear to us at Palazzo Centofanti: Avaro. So called for decades without knowing why, it tells a story of courage, hope and resilience. This plot of land, arid and dry compared to neighbouring areas rich in water, was a precious gift from grandmother Nicoletta, whose family worked it for generations before she joined our company with her marriage to grandfather Piacentino as a dowry.
World War II and its challenges
The Second World War profoundly marked the history of Avaro.
At that time, a large expanse of wheat stood on this plot.
During those dark days, our land became the scene of dramatic events.
The Germans, retreating and desperate, laid mines on the Avaro as a last defence of their backlines. When the war finally ended, the Germans had left, but the mines remained, hidden beneath the surface of our precious wheat field, which was ready to be threshed and milled.
Straws and Courage: The Delicate Dance between Life and Death
Our community was faced with a heartbreaking choice: either abandon the harvest and face starvation, or brave the danger of mines to collect the grain.
Driven by necessity and determination, the bravest members of the neighbourhood decided to try their luck.
With a dose of courage that still leaves us speechless today, they began to search for mines, marking them with straws to indicate their position. This allowed the others to harvest grain around the mines, in a delicate dance between life and death.
The whole neighbourhood worked together, united by hunger and hope. Each swing of the scythe was accompanied by the quickening beat of hearts, but also by the growing joy of seeing the wheat harvested and ready to be ground.
Dawn of Mystery: Iron Hunters Clean Up the Field
The night brought a brief respite and a glimmer of hope: the next morning, some mysterious iron hunters arrived and cleared the camp, removing the remaining mines and restoring security to our land.
This episode cemented our community's spirit of solidarity and resilience, a lesson in life that is reflected in every Avaro vine.
Today, Avaro is an area dedicated to Montepulciano, a grape variety that is the symbol of central Italy, capable of producing intense, structured wines with an unmistakable character.
We at Palazzo Centofanti celebrate this excellence with three labels:
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Etichetta Blu, aged in steel, which enhances the freshness and fruity notes of Montepulciano.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Etichetta Rossa,with a short passage in barrels, which gives the wine greater softness and spicy notes.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Skaramantico, our most structured wine, aged in barrels for 7-8 months, ideal for those seeking depth and complexity.
Each bottle tells a bit of the story of Avaro and its rebirth, combining tradition, passion and a touch of boldness.
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