The winery was founded in 1969 as a cooperative between 20 individual growers in Abruzzo, one of Italy’s most productive wine growing regions. Today, there are 400 grower members with 700 hectares of vineyards. Soils here are calcareous clay, created by runoff from the towering Apennine Mountains to the west. The moderating influence of the Adriatic Sea to the east, as well as the cool evenings in spring and fall, help temper some of the hot days during the growing season. With an eye towards tradition, Novaripa produces wines made with indigenous grape varieties that have grown here for millenia—Passerina, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Pecorino and old vines of the ubiquitous Montepulciano d’Abruzzo—along with international varieties such as Pinot Grigio. Buyers+Cellars is proud to represent Novaripa’s Agronika and Sagoma brands in Ontario.