Italy · Abruzzo

Emidio Pepe

Emidio Pepe is one of Italy's most singular and uncompromising wine estates, based in Torano Nuovo in Abruzzo. Founded in 1964 by Emidio Pepe himself, the domaine is now managed by his granddaughter Chiara alongside daughter Sofia. The estate's philosophy—no sulfur additions, no filtration, entirely manual vinification including grape destemming by hand—has remained unchanged since its founding. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the dominant production, sourced from approximately 10 hectares of estate vineyards and representing 163 of the 179 auction lots traded at an average of $244. The 2001 vintage is the most traded, and back vintages from the 1970s and 1980s regularly appear at auction and command premiums well above average, with single-bottle maximums reaching $1,553. The Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Pecorino whites—the latter averaging $122 across 8 lots—are produced in much smaller quantities. The estate also periodically releases disgorgements of earlier vintages rebottled by hand, which drives some of the higher pricing seen in the auction record. Across 179 total lots with an average of $233, Emidio Pepe occupies a unique collector niche defined by extreme natural-wine philosophy and consistent aging capacity.