Alessandro Nicodemi secures second term as president of Abruzzo wine consortium after board vote

Alessandro Nicodemi has been re-elected as president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo, the Consortium for the Protection of Abruzzo Wines, following a vote held in Ortona on April 29, 2025. This marks his second term at the helm of the organization, which represents and safeguards the interests of wine producers across the Abruzzo region in central Italy. Nicodemi first took office in 2022, becoming the first private producer to lead the Consortium, a move that signaled a significant shift in its leadership structure.

During his previous term, Nicodemi introduced what is now known as the “Abruzzo Model,” a new organizational approach for managing designations of origin and protected geographical indications (PGIs). This model aims to simplify and clarify the system for both producers and international markets. The change has been credited with helping to boost exports, which reached €290 million in 2024—a 15.47% increase over the previous year. The Consortium’s focus on internationalization has brought greater attention not only to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, the region’s flagship red wine, but also to Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo and native white varieties such as Pecorino.

Nicodemi expressed gratitude to the board for their renewed trust and acknowledged both past achievements and future challenges. He emphasized his commitment to promoting Abruzzo’s diverse grape varieties and supporting all producers and territories within the region. He stated that he will continue to listen to stakeholders and maintain an open approach as he leads the Consortium through what he described as a delicate period for the wine sector.

Born in 1972, Nicodemi holds a degree in Economics and Commerce and previously served as an officer in Italy’s Guardia di Finanza. He joined his family’s winery, Fattoria Bruno Nicodemi, in 1997 after his father’s passing. The estate is one of Abruzzo’s historic wine producers, established under its own brand since 1977. Nicodemi served as vice-president of the Consortium for six years before becoming president and was awarded the Cangrande Medal in 2011 for his contributions to Italian viticulture.

The new board of directors includes Vice-Presidents Lorenzo Di Ciano from Cantina Tollo and Domenico Mastrogiovanni from Bio Cantina Orsogna. Other board members elected during last week’s assembly are Nicola Paolucci (Rinascita Lancianese), Vincenzo Bucci (Vinicola Villese), Miki Antonucci (Progresso Agricolo), Domenico Pasetti (Pasetti), Katia Masci (Valle Martello), Franco D’Eusanio (Chiusa Grande), Dino D’Ercole (Citra), Carlo Di Campli Finore (Viticoltori del Mediterraneo), Nicola Dragani (San Zefferino), Robertino La Monaca (Novaripa), Albino Lanci (Colle Moro) and Gennaro Matarazzo (Roxan).

The Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo was established in 2002 by decree of Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Its mission is to protect, promote, and manage interests related to regional appellations. Today it counts about 250 members representing around 6,000 grape producers involved in DOC and IGT wines such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo DOC, Villamagna DOC, Controguerra DOC, and Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG.

A major change took effect with the 2024 vintage: all IGT wines from Abruzzo are now grouped under a single designation, IGT Terre d’Abruzzo, as part of the new organizational model. This move is intended to further strengthen regional identity while allowing individual territories to showcase their unique characteristics on both domestic and international stages.