KO and the Turk: Adriatic Sea and Wine

From Frosolone, in Molise region, we headed for Abruzzo region, home of the San Grasso mountains as part of the Appenine Mountain chain, and the Adriatic coastline. We stayed at a cute agriturismo house outside Luciano, near the Adriatic coast. This farmhouse was converted to a hotel but they have maintained some of the animals on the property - chickens, goats, donkey, ducks, pigeons and more. This area has rolling hills of vineyards and olive trees, with enough fig trees around to keep the Turk happy when we hike.

our balcony is on the left.

exploring our hotel - walking to the vineyard and olive orchard

kind of nice

one of the baby goats sucking on my finger

horse is grazing outside our window

fancy rooster house

We started to learn some things about Abruzzo towns. There is typically a billboard near a main road where someone posts a notice of a loved ones' death, or remembrance of their death. In Turkey, deaths and the funeral arrangements are announced via the mosque's speakers around the town for all to hear. In Italy, you have photo and short biography along with the funeral arrangements.

The Turk and I walked around our area of farmland and vineyards, and fig trees. We came across an older man sitting in his yard after he pulled up his pepper crop - probably because it was the end of the season and he wanted to plant something else. The Turk talked with him in broken Spanish/Italian/Turk and the guy ended up handing us left over peppers still on the stem that he was going to toss. The Turk was beside-himself happy.

A goal for this trip was to swim in the Mediterranean - check, the Adriatic and the Aegean. So off we headed for the coast. Lanciano is well situated for either the beach or skiing as there is an option to the east and the north for each. The water was refreshing and I enjoyed my swim. This beach was rocky, though not all are. The result of a rocky beach is crystal clear turquoise water. And the result of the water is fresh seafood! We had a delicious lunch on the coast which made for a perfect day. We overlooked a local Trabocchi - an old fishing structure that sits on the water. This area is known for these structures.
And for dinner we went to a local kebab restaurant - Il Caminetto. Who knew that Italians like their lamb kebabs as much as the Turks! We enjoyed the restaurant so much, we ate there both evenings.

rocky shore

I swam to the rocks

the Turk said something wierd to me - so he got this face

a trabucco fishing structure

fresh mussels and tomato sauce - YUM

kebabs!

A winery was on our list - so I contacted Laura, owner of the Il Feuduccio winery in Orsogna for a tour and tasting. Laura greeted us at her picturesque winery that reminded me of being in Napa Valley. Except Napa is trying to be like Italy! The whole experience was special as Laura introduced us to her sister and mom from Venezuela. The family, originally from Abruzzo, moved to Venezuela about 20 years ago but are leaving due to the government issues. Her sister wants to move to Florida - how funny. The winery buildings are beautifully built of imported tiles and woods. The wines were delicious. This region is known for their red Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. In Italy, Abruzzo wines are considered the same level as in Tuscany. apparently there is a great rivalry. Tuscany also sells a Montepulciano - but they use the name for an appelation while Abruzzo has the montepulciano grape. Abruzzo wineries are striving to become better known outside of Italy and have recently revised the naming of their appelations to make them more specific. Laura told us that she doesn't see many Americans and that we are brave travelers for going off the beaten path.