Princess Marguerite Farnese fell so in love with the charm of Ortona, that she purchased the entire town. She had unwittingly acquired some of the finest viticulture in Italy and Farnese wine found its way to the tables of Europe's highest courts. The ancient vineyards are planted to breathtaking vistas and scenic hillsides on the Adriatic coast, within the communes of Ortona, San Salvo and Pollutri. The vines may have aged but the old world traditions and standards of excellence are maintained to this day. Harvests of Montepulciano grapes are destemmed and gently pressed, followed by a spell of maceration on skins, a fortnight's fermentation and term of maturation in seasoned French and American oak barrels.