Tenuta Talamonti The Dynamic, Ethically Driven Trailblazers of Abruzzo
Founded in 2001 by husband-and-wife team Rodrigo Brian Redmont and Antonella Di Tonno, Tenuta Talamonti is a trailblazer in central Italy’s Abruzzo region.
Motivated by a tremendous passion for their local roots, the Redmont-Di Tonno family aim to share Abruzzo’s unique terroir and extraordinary microclimate with the world. They cultivate primarily native grape varieties in the pristine commune of Loreto Aprutino and practice winemaking centered on purity of varietal expression. As part of this mission, they’ve spearheaded the region’s shift away from a co-op, volume-centric system toward terroir-driven, premium, estate wine production.
Everything the Tenuta Talamonti team does reflects the Redmont-Di Tonno family’s values. The estate practices environmental stewardship through sustainable farming, renewable energy, and the acquisition of several high-profile sustainability certifications. Tenuta Talamonti has also partnered with other top producers from the Tavo Valley to pioneer a local soil zoning program. It seeks to explore the range of biological effects on wine style and profile, with the goal of distinguishing the six different “cru” estates of Abruzzo, much like the classification used in France’s Burgundy region.
Alongside the environment, Tenuta Talamonti places great importance on social consciousness. The estate provides continuous support for the local community and has committed to equitable treatment of its employees. In 2022, Tenuta Talamonti became the first winery in the world to be certified for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion with the Gender Equality European & International Standard. This certification promotes gender diversity and equality in the workplace. They encourage the local youth to start careers in the wine industry, provide leadership training for employees, and actively empower them to achieve their career goals.
Between its quality-focused winemaking philosophy, environmental stewardship, and social initiatives, Tenuta Talamonti has forged exciting new pathways for the wine industry in Abruzzo. In just over two decades, the estate has become one of the region’s, and Italy’s, most dynamic boutique wine producers — and we cannot wait to see what its future holds.
Tenuta Talamonti Highlights
The Redmont-Di Tonno family have helped drive Abruzzo’s shift away from a co-op, volume-centric system toward terroir-driven, premium, estate wine production.
Tenuta Talamonti lies in the Loreto Aprutino commune of the Tavo Valley, which is widely considered the “cru” of Abruzzo.
The Talamonti winery is the first in the world to be certified for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion with the Gender Equality European & International Standard.
Both the vineyards and cellar have received multiple sustainability certifications, including SQNPI Sustainable Production, Certificate of CO2 Reduction, and Certified Vegan by Just Vegan.
The wines are vinified separately by vineyard parcel and aged in carefully chosen oak barrels to ensure the purest varietal expression.
Abruzzo’s Natural Beauty & Biodiversity
Located in central Italy, the Abruzzo region borders the Apennine and Maiella Mountains, the Sibylline Massif, and the Adriatic Sea. This extremely varied topography provides a myriad of microclimates and terroirs, resulting in the greatest biodiversity in Italy and, arguably, all of Europe. Abruzzo is home to 75% of the flora and fauna species in Europe, and one-third of the region is protected natural areas and national parks. Given the region’s abundantly rich landscape, the Redmont-Di Tonno family were convinced that Abruzzo could also produce fine, terroir-driven wines — and of course, they have done exactly that.
Cultivating Native Grapes in Loreto Aprutino
Tenuta Talamonti lies in the pristine, mountainous Loreto Aprutino commune of the Tavo Valley, which is widely considered the “cru” of Abruzzo due to its ideal climate and more fertile soil. The area has large diurnal shifts caused by the influence of the sea and mountains, which allow grapes to ripen slower and develop greater complexity. In Loreta Aprutino, cold, strong Balkan wind currents promote healthy vines and freshness in the grapes.
Located around the Talamonti winery, the vineyards comprise 45 hectares / 111 acres. The Redmont-Di Tonno family focuses on the cultivation of native grape varieties — including montepulciano d’Abruzzo and trebbiano d’Abruzzo — but they have also planted varieties like pecorino and merlot, which have grown in the region for hundreds of years but are not considered native. The vineyards are located at 300 meters / 984 feet above sea level and have a south-east exposure, which ensure the grapes receive ample sunshine hours. The alluvial soil, resulting from the nearby Tavo River, encourages a greater depth of flavor and softer tannins in Talamonti wine.
Environmental Stewardship Is the Path to Excellence
“I believe that only a sustainable production can interpret a unique terroir and reach excellence … at Talamonti, we aim to give the term clear focus and a concrete meaning,” says proprietor Antonella Di Tonno.
Tenuta Talamonti practices sustainable farming techniques to optimize the health and longevity of their vineyards and ensure the highest quality wines. Their eco-friendly practices extend into the cellars, which are powered by 100% renewable energy from the estate’s solar panels and nearby windmill farms. Talamonti has also received a Certificate of CO2 Reduction for reducing 24 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The estate’s other certifications include SQNPI Sustainable Production, BRC Food Safety, IFS Food Safety, and Certified Vegan by Just Vegan.
The Careful, Quality-Focused Crafting of Talamonti Wine
Focused on raising the profile of wines from Abruzzo, Tenuta Talamonti is committed to quality winemaking. The estate-grown grapes are vinified separately, based on their vineyard origin, and fermented in state-of-the-art vats of varying sizes, to ensure the purest varietal expression. Following an extensive study on the aging of the montepulciano d’Abruzzo grape in wooden casks, Talamonti has chosen to utilize 300-liter / 80-gallon and 3,400-liter / 900-gallon barrels from Austria, France, the United States, and Eastern Europe. The barrels are carefully selected for greater variety in grain, seasoning, and toasture. Finally, the wines are bottled and labeled in-house to control the production process and increase consistency in quality.
Tenuta Talamonti’s Talented Leaders
Husband-and-wife duo Rodrigo Brian Redmont and Antonella Di Tonno founded Tenuta Talamonti and remain active in its everyday operations. Rodrigo serves as president and oversees all international business and marketing for the estate, including spearheading distribution in over 50 countries. Antonella manages all vineyard operations and hospitality initiatives, such as the replanting of the estate vineyards, building new operations centers, and launching new cellars and the hospitality center. They’re joined by chief winemaker and agronomist Paolo Bennasi, who has previously crafted wines at iconic estates like Castello Banfi in Tuscany and Tenuta Sella in Piedmont.
