Abruzzo doesn’t always get the same attention as Tuscany or Piedmont—which is convenient for those of us who enjoy finding the good stuff before everyone else catches on. And when it comes to Montepulciano, few places do it better than Villamagna.

Tucked between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea, this tiny pocket has built a reputation as the region’s finest growing area for Montepulciano, with dramatic day-night temperature swings that create wines with both power and freshness. Torre Zambra has been here since 1910 and remains one of Abruzzo’s most historic estates—despite World War II wiping out the original farm entirely, only for the family to painstakingly rebuild it and relaunch the winery in 1961.

Today, they farm sustainably, ferment with native yeasts, and age their wines in concrete and tonneau—letting the region do what it does best. Their whites are unbelievably fresh and pure, while the reds are beautifully structured. Always consistent. Forever on our list.