Discover Tenute Inverso: A K&L Exclusive from Abruzzo, Italy
If there’s one thing Italian wine does well, it’s belonging at the table. Italian wine is a true example of the partnership between wine and food, and how they both bring out the best in one another. The wines from Tenuta Inverso from Abruzzo are a textbook expression of that philosophy. Let's start off by saying this is one of the most exciting, under-the-radar projects in Abruzzo right now. Tenute Inverso is a tiny, family-run discovery that produces an incredibly small amount of this wine—just around 2000 bottles. We are incredibly proud to have this as a K&L exclusive.
Located east of Rome and stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo is a region defined by contrast: altitude and coastline, rugged terrain, and gentle agriculture. Tenuta Inverso’s wines reflect this balance: they are fresh, honest, and quietly complex. These are the kinds of wines we live for: deeply rooted in tradition, responsibly farmed, unpretentious, and genuinely delicious. Once you try them, I think they’ll be your go-to weeknight staples.
2022 Tenute Inverso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $17.99 This is the "classic" counterpart to the Anfora bottling (below), focusing on the pure, rugged charm of the Abruzzo backcountry with minimal intervention and no oak influence. I taste a lot of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and too often, the market is flooded with heavy, jammy, and over-oaked versions that completely lose the grape's natural identity. This 2022 is the exact opposite. Because it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, it is exactly what everyday Montepulciano should be: pure, fresh, and deeply tied to its region. By keeping the wine out of wood, Tenute Inverso preserves all of its "crunchy" energy. The nose doesn't try to overpower you with sweet, extracted fruit or vanilla. Instead, it offers a vibrant, savory mix of crushed dark cherries, wild blackberry, and a distinct hint of roasted earth and black pepper. This isn't a wine to overthink; it is a wine to drink. Pop the cork on a Tuesday night and enjoy.
2024 Tenute Inverso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $22.99 An artisanal, low-intervention red defined by its use of terracotta vessels, which allow the wine to breathe and develop a distinct mineral texture without the influence of oak. Often, Montepulciano can fall into the trap of being too heavy, overly extracted, or masked by aggressive oak. Tenute Inverso completely bypasses that. What makes this wine so singular is its aging method: it is fermented and aged entirely in clay anfore. By removing the influence of wood, the producer allows the pure, rugged terroir of the Abruzzo backcountry to speak for itself. In the 2024 vintage, the result is a wine that vibrates with nervous energy. The nose is a lively, high-toned blast of sour cherry and crushed amarena, woven with savory wild herbs, forest floor, and a distinct, smoky minerality. It feels alive and vertical, offering a refined, almost saline texture that only clay aging can impart. It is intensely savory, lacking any heavy, jammy weight, and finishes with a pure, mouthwatering grip. A steal at this price point.
Why We Love These Wines
Tenute Inverso represents what we look for when we talk about “over‑delivering” wines: small production, thoughtful farming, respect for tradition, and prices that make opening a bottle feel easy—not precious. They’re lively and full of spirit… a pure taste of Abruzzo’s rugged landscape. These are wines you’ll love drinking.