Rabasco is a natural wine estate in Pianella, in Italy’s Abruzzo region, run by Iole Rabasco. After working as a lawyer, she took over the family winery in the 2000s. Its 11 hectares are divided among four vineyards, with vines more than 40 years old that have never been farmed conventionally. The estate has farmed organically and, since 2006, biodynamically, producing wines without added sulphites.
Some wines are aged in demijohns, reflected in the name Damigiana. Rabasco has around 120 of these vessels, and the winery’s hand-drawn labels have a suitably retro feel. The wines below were tasted at the VinNatur tasting in Paris in November 2025.
- Rabasco Cancelli Branco 2024, Abruzzo — 10% alcohol. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, direct-pressed into stainless steel after an end-of-August harvest. Bright and lemony, with concentration, fine acidity and a pithy edge. 93/100
- Rabasco La Salita 2024, Abruzzo — 11.5% alcohol. Made from an old Trebbiano d’Abruzzo clone and fermented and aged in stainless steel. Concentrated flavours of lemon, orange peel, pear and apple lead into a detailed, grainy palate, with spice, cherry and dried herbs on the finish. 94/100
- Rabasco Damigiana 2024, Abruzzo — 12% alcohol. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo blended with 30% Malvasia Candida, macerated on skins for five days and aged in demijohns. Slightly cloudy and golden, it has a textured, weighty palate of apple, pear and peach, with a hint of mint. Subtle oxidative notes sit alongside structure and finesse. 94/100
- Rabasco Cancelli Rosso 2024, Abruzzo — 12.5% alcohol. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with just a day and a half of skin contact, aged in stainless steel. Juicy and supple, with sour and fresh red cherry, redcurrant, lively acidity and a touch of grip. 93/100
- Rabasco Damigiana Rosato 2024, Abruzzo — Made from a young Cerasuolo vineyard. Deep pink-orange in colour, the wine is lively and tangy, with redcurrant, red cherry and citrus. Grippy tannins and bright acidity add interest. 93/100
- Rabasco Rosso Damigiana 2020, IGT Colline Pescaresi, Abruzzo — Montepulciano d’Abruzzo macerated on skins for nine days and aged in demijohns. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit has beautiful texture, firm tannins and good acidity. Substantial yet sleek, with a long, expansive feel. 94/100