Cataldi Madonna ★ 4.7
Ofena estate in the hot inland basin under the Gran Sasso, dating to 1920 and farming 30 hectares. Now led by Giulia Cataldi Madonna after the death of Luigi Cataldi Madonna.
Vineyards in Alto Tirino
Tasting Rooms in Alto Tirino
Cataldi Madonna Sala di Degustazione ★ 4.5
Tasting room of the Ofena estate in the Tirino valley, where flights run from a short pour to a full sit-down at 35 euro per person.
Tip: Ofena sits in a basin the locals call the oven of Abruzzo, so book a morning slot in July and August.
Wine Bars in Alto Tirino
Garibaldi Enoteca e Cucina ★ 4.0
Wine bar and kitchen on Via Garibaldi in the rebuilt centre of L'Aquila, run by the Stratta brothers since 1999.
The list: A bottle list run alongside the kitchen in the old centre of L'Aquila, where the Stratta brothers have traded since 1999.
Tip: It is one of the few wine-led rooms in the old city that kept trading through the post-earthquake rebuild.
Wine Festivals in Alto Tirino
Vinorum, Festival del Vino d'Abruzzo ★ 4.6
The consortium's own festival, with a wine fair on Piazza Duomo and guided tastings in the courtyards of the city's historic palazzi. Fifty two cellars poured at the 2026 edition.
Pours: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Abruzzo Pecorino
Tip: The courtyard tastings are free but need booking through Eventbrite. The Piazza Duomo fair runs 18:00 to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Wine Day Trips in Alto Tirino
Rocca Calascio ★ 4.8
A ruined fortress at about 1,460 metres in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga national park, begun as a watchtower in the 10th century and wrecked by the earthquake of November 1461. Ladyhawke was shot here.
Pours: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Alto Tirino, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
Tip: It pairs with Ofena, the hot inland basin below it where Cataldi Madonna farms 30 hectares. Park at the village and walk the last stretch up.
Campo Imperatore ★ 4.7
A high plateau of roughly 80 square kilometres between 1,500 and 1,900 metres inside the Gran Sasso national park, with a ski resort running since the 1920s and a hotel that held Mussolini in 1943.
Pours: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Alto Tirino
Tip: The road up from Castel del Monte is the scenic approach and it closes in winter. More than twenty films have been shot on the plateau.
L'Aquila ★ 4.6
The regional capital at 714 metres, rebuilding since the earthquake of 6 April 2009 and Italian Capital of Culture for 2026. The Fontana delle 99 Cannelle dates from 1272 and Collemaggio from 1270.
Pours: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Alto Tirino, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
Tip: Go in May for Vinorum in the courtyards of the historic palazzi and on Piazza Duomo, or in late August for the Perdonanza Celestiniana on 28 and 29 August.
Nightlife in Alto Tirino
Garibaldi Enoteca & Cucina ★ 4.4
A wine bar and kitchen on Via Garibaldi, the late street of L'Aquila's historic centre, opened in 1999 by the Stratta brothers. Steakhouse plates, pizza and filled panini until one in the morning.
The list: A bottle list the Stratta brothers describe as di primissima scelta, with sparkling wines and spirits from outside Italy alongside the Abruzzo range.
Tip: Via Garibaldi is where the city drinks late. Four more places on the same 200 metres stay open past one, so start here and walk.
Il Tavernacolo ★ 4.1
A wine room on Piazza Santa Giusta pouring loose wine and bottles with panini, piadine, charcuterie and cheese boards and bruschette. It also hosts tastings and private events.
The list: The house describes ottimi vini sfusi e in bottiglia, wine by the carafe as well as by the bottle, with tastings run on request.
Tip: Wine by the carafe is close to extinct in Italian city centres. This is the cheapest way in L'Aquila to drink Montepulciano by the glass all evening.
Le Petit Clos ★ 4.0
An evening-only wine room on Piazza Regina Margherita in the rebuilt centre of L'Aquila, open six days a week from six until one and closed on Sundays.
The list: A wine shop and bar that also keeps a beer list, pouring from six in the evening until one in the morning.
Tip: It is two minutes from Piazza Duomo, where the consortium sets up the Vinorum fair in May, so it makes the obvious nightcap during the festival.
Morrison Wine & Cocktails ★ 3.9
A small wine and cocktail room on Via dei Sali in the L'Aquila centre, serving from six until two from Wednesday to Sunday. One of the latest addresses in the rebuilt old town.
The list: A bar that runs a wine list beside the cocktail list, open from six in the evening until two in the morning five nights a week.
Tip: It runs later than the enoteche on Via Garibaldi, so it is the place to move to after the kitchens there close at one.
Chiarino ★ 3.8
An evening bar on Piazza Chiarino in the L'Aquila centre, open from seven until one on weekdays and until two on Saturday, running a wine list beside the beer taps.
The list: A bar that trades as an enoteca and birreria together, pouring wine and beer from seven in the evening.
Tip: The square is quieter than Via Garibaldi, which makes this the one to pick when you want to hear the person across the table.