Feudo Antico: A Wine Tour in Abruzzo Rooted in Two Thousand Years of History
April, 06th 2024 – Updated on March 16th, 2025
Some places serve wine. Feudo Antico serves memory.
There are wineries you visit and forget. And then there are wineries that stay with you, not just because of what’s in the glass, but because of what’s beneath your feet. Feudo Antico, in the village of Tollo in the province of Chieti, is the second kind.
We went for a wine tour on a warm June afternoon. We left with a deeper understanding of Abruzzo, a genuine appreciation for the people behind the wine, and a memory that led us, months later, to choose this same place to celebrate one of the most important days of our family’s life.
Where Is Feudo Antico?
Feudo Antico is located in Tollo, a small village in the Colline Teatine, the rolling hills of Chieti province, considered by many la capitale del vino abruzzese, the capital of Abruzzo wine. It sits just 20 minutes from Giuliano Teatino and about 30 minutes from Pescara, making it an easy and very worthwhile detour from almost anywhere in the region.
Tollo is classified as a Città del Vino, one of Italy’s official wine cities, and the landscape around it tells you why: vineyards as far as you can see, rolling hills, and in the distance, the Adriatic catching the afternoon light.
What Is Feudo Antico?
Feudo Antico was founded in 2004, but the story it tells is much older than that. During the replanting of the first Pecorino vineyards in 2013, the remains of an ancient Roman villa were discovered beneath the soil, along with tools used for storing and preserving wine that date back two thousand years. Archaeological excavations followed, and today those remains are visible throughout the estate, woven into the fabric of the place.
In 2019, Feudo Antico was awarded the DOCG Tullum, Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, one of the most important appellations in Italy and a certificate of genuine excellence for the entire Tollo area.
The winery pursues sustainable viticulture, working with the native grape varieties that have defined Abruzzo wine for centuries: Montepulciano, Trebbiano, and Pecorino.
The Wine Tour: What to Expect
Feudo Antico offers several experiences, from simple tastings to full guided tours. We chose the Tasting Pure experience: three wines from the autochthonous Abruzzo tradition, paired with bread, extra virgin olive oil, and a selection of local cured meats and cheeses, all for 25 euros per person.
What we didn’t expect was Sandro.
Our guide from the moment we arrived, Sandro showed us everything: the modern production facilities, the wine cellar, the Bottaia, and the archaeological remains of the Roman villa spread across the estate. His enthusiasm was genuine and completely contagious. He didn’t just explain the wine. He explained why it mattered, where it came from, and what made each grape variety different. And somewhere along the way, he quietly kept refilling our glasses with wines that weren’t strictly on the tasting menu.
We did not complain.
On that June afternoon we tasted Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, and Trebbiano: all exceptional, each one distinct. The Cerasuolo was bright and fresh, exactly what you want on a warm summer afternoon. The Montepulciano was deep and serious. The Trebbiano clean and mineral. Paired with the cured meats and cheeses, it was a proper Abruzzese experience: generous, unpretentious, and genuinely delicious.
The Ánforas: Wine the Way the Romans Made It
The highlight of the tour, for me, was unexpected: the ánforas.
These are enormous ceramic vessels, far larger than you imagine before you stand in front of one, used by ancient civilisations to store and age wine. What struck me wasn’t just the size. It was the idea behind them: wine stored in clay adds nothing. No oak, no tannin, no external flavour. What you taste is purely the grape, the soil, and the year. Abruzzo in its most essential form.
Standing next to the remains of the Roman villa, looking at tools used for wine two thousand years ago, in a place where people are still making wine today, it does something to you. It makes you feel the continuity of the place. That this land has been producing wine since long before any of us were born, and will go on doing so long after.
The Baptism: When a Wine Tour Becomes a Family Memory
We came back to Feudo Antico in May, for a different reason entirely.
The experience of that June afternoon had stayed with us so completely that when the time came to choose a venue for the baptism of my nephew, my godson, there was really only one answer. Feudo Antico.
The celebration was held inside, in the warm, modern space of the winery itself, with the option to step outside onto the terrace and walk between the vines between courses. The food and wine were, as expected, magnificent. A proper Abruzzese table: generous, abundant, surrounded by family and friends, with the vineyard just outside the window.
It is one of my favourite memories in Abruzzo. And it started with a wine tour on a June afternoon.
Where to Stay Near Feudo Antico
The simplest option is to stay at Feudo Antico itself: they offer accommodation on site, with breakfast included and vineyard views from your room. Waking up surrounded by the vines that produced the wine you tasted the night before is an experience in itself.
If you prefer something nearby, Villa Marusia is just 1.6km from the centre of Tollo with a superb 9.3 rating, exceptional value at around £52 per night.
And for a more special stay, Za Teresa Private Resort & Spa in Giuliano Teatino, just 20 minutes away, offers a private pool, jacuzzi, and stunning views over the Abruzzo hills. Part of our family travelling from the United States stayed here during the baptism celebration, and it was the perfect base for their Abruzzo experience.
FAQ
What is Feudo Antico?
Feudo Antico is a winery in Tollo, in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Founded in 2004 and holder of the prestigious DOCG Tullum appellation since 2019, it produces native Abruzzo varieties including Montepulciano, Cerasuolo, Trebbiano, and Pecorino. During vineyard replanting in 2013, the remains of an ancient Roman villa were discovered on the estate, making it one of the most historically significant wineries in the region.
How do I book a wine tour at Feudo Antico?
Tours and tastings can be booked directly on the Feudo Antico website at feudoantico.it. You can also email the team directly to arrange your visit and pay on arrival. The Tasting Pure experience costs 25 euros per person and includes three wines paired with local bread, olive oil, cured meats, and cheese.
What wines does Feudo Antico produce?
Feudo Antico specialises in the native grape varieties of Abruzzo: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, and Pecorino. All wines are produced using sustainable viticulture practices and the DOCG Tullum line represents the estate’s highest expression of quality.
Is Feudo Antico good for special events?
Yes. Feudo Antico hosts private events including celebrations, dinners, and ceremonies. The estate offers a beautiful modern space with terrace access and vineyard views, an exceptional setting for any occasion that deserves something genuinely special.
What is the best winery to visit in Abruzzo?
Feudo Antico in Tollo is one of the most compelling winery experiences in Abruzzo. It combines exceptional native wines, a passionate and knowledgeable team, and the extraordinary discovery of a Roman villa beneath the vineyard. For anyone interested in Abruzzo wine and history, it is an unmissable visit.
Where is Tollo and how do I get there?
Tollo is a village in the Colline Teatine, in the province of Chieti, central Abruzzo. It is approximately 20 minutes from Giuliano Teatino, 30 minutes from Pescara, and 45 minutes from the Pescara international airport. A car is essential, as public transport to Tollo is very limited.
Practical Information
- Address: Feudo Antico, Tollo, Chieti, Abruzzo
- Tasting Pure experience: 25€ per person
- Bookings: feudoantico.it/en/tasting
- Special events: Contact Feudo Antico directly via their website
- Nearest airport: Pescara (approx. 30 min by car)
- Where to stay: Feudo Antico on-site accommodation · Villa Marusia Tollo · Za Teresa Private Resort & Spa, Giuliano Teatino