Beyond the sea and hills, among vineyards and tradition: the true essence of the Marche region at Terracruda.
Reaching the Terracruda Farmhouse Winery is a journey through slowly changing landscapes, between the horizon of the sea and glimpses of hills, discovering the authentic soul of the Marche region. The coastline is the Adriatic Sea, which runs along the quiet beaches of Marotta, then gently rises inland towards the province of Pesaro and Urbino, where the hills become increasingly gentle and the views increasingly wide and evocative.
THE “SUSPENDED” CHARM OF FRATTEROSA
At 400 meters above sea level lies Fratte Rosa, a small village that seems frozen in time. With just 800 inhabitants, this hidden corner of the Marche region retains an intact poetic atmosphere: the stone houses, with their warm, rosy hues, give the village a unique identity, so much so that they inspired its very name. It is a place suspended between earth and sky, where every glimpse invites you to relax and slow down. It is here that the Avenanti family has chosen to build their present and future, creating a reality that skilfully combines hospitality, tradition and innovation: Cantina Terracruda.
Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and sunflower fields, Terracruda has become a landmark for lovers of good wine and authentic experiences. Visiting the winery means immersing yourself in a world of panoramic tastings, walks among the rows of vines, and convivial evenings where local cuisine meets the warmth of Marche hospitality. “This lonely hill has always been dear to me...” wrote Giacomo Leopardi, speaking of his Recanati, and that sense of infinity, of quiet and crystallized time, can also be found here, on a hill in the Marche region that overlooks the sea but leaves it hidden by a curve in the landscape.
WINE AND HOSPITALITY REVEAL THE TRUE MARCHE REGION
In 2005, Zeno Avenanti made a counterintuitive decision to embark on a completely new but deeply heartfelt adventure. He bet on the land, on wine, on hospitality. He bet on his own territory. And so Terracruda was born, a winery that is much more than a farm: it is a declaration of love for the territory. This is the story of someone who consciously chose to become a winemaker and host, transforming an intuition into a project that has given new life to a territory that is still little known but extraordinarily fascinating. Among the vineyards of Fratte Rosa, Zeno and his family have created a place where the quality of the wine is combined with the authenticity of the hospitality, where the discreet character of the place paradoxically becomes its greatest asset: that of having remained true, intact, deeply attached to its rural identity.
“We are not a family of winemakers; on one side of the family, we come from a background of woodworking, while on the other side, we have farming roots: our grandparents were the village millers. We started out as farmers, with our knowledge of the land, the territory, our passion, and our deep roots, just like our vines. We make wine because it seemed like the most sustainable activity, capable of enhancing the territory and giving us a future working in agriculture, but also giving a future to the local people." These are the words of Luca Avenanti, Zeno's son, who accompanies me on a tour of the vineyards, recounting not only the history of the winery but also that of a lifestyle choice. Walking through the vineyards, it is easy to see how every detail here is designed to welcome visitors: not just tastings but real experiences. Dinners at sunset, events tailored to guests, moments of sharing that transform a visit into something deeper and more personal.
AMIDST SILENCE AND FRAGRANCES, A HAVEN OF PEACE AND AUTHENTICITY
The Terracruda Winery and its farmhouse are a small, refined establishment nestled in the hills of the Marche region, a few kilometers from the town center. Every detail reflects a conscious choice: to welcome guests with simplicity but taste. There are four apartments available for guests, each equipped with a private kitchen, bedroom, and loft sleeping area. The country chic style is carefully curated, consistent even in the exteriors: light wood, wrought iron, neutral colors, and natural harmonies. Outside, a small sitting area surrounded by lavender and aromatic plants evokes a Provençal atmosphere. Here you can relax in absolute silence, a silence that in summer is broken only by the chirping of cicadas.
The swimming pool available to guests divides the production area of the winery from the accommodation area, marking the ideal boundary between working and relaxing. “The idea for the farmhouse came from the restoration of an old farmhouse that we renovated and added to a modern winery. We wanted to create a hybrid formula: a large lounge, a tasting room, and four mini apartments, each with four beds,” says Luca. Here, the experience is: stop for a moment, relax, drink a glass of wine, enjoy the countryside and the tranquility. Live and experience the simple things, in which you may also find a little bit of truth." And that's exactly how it is. People don't just come to Terracruda to drink good wine, but to rediscover a different rhythm. To rediscover slowness.
A WINERY THAT PRESERVES THE WINE-MAKING TRADITIONS OF THE MARCHE REGION
This is the philosophy of a winery that, while looking to the future, never loses sight of its past and the importance of honoring wine-making traditions and agricultural culture, passing on these values to its guests. The winery produces three DOC wines that the Avenanti family has proudly brought to official recognition: Bianchello del Metauro DOC, Pergola DOC, and Colli Pesaresi DOC, which reflect the strategic location of Fratte Rosa, situated between the Metauro and Cesano valleys.
In addition to the classic wines of the area, the Avenanti family has chosen to carry on rarer and more precious traditions, such as those of Garofanata and Incrocio Bruni. Garofanata, a native grape variety also known as Moscato Bastardo, had almost disappeared and been forgotten, while Incrocio Bruni is the result of a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Verdicchio, created in the 1930s by the illustrious Marche ampelographer Bruno Bruni. “2005 was the year the winery was founded. We were pioneers and witnesses to a philosophy that focuses on the value of the territory through the vine. The protection and preservation of biodiversity are fundamental for us. Slow Food calls this role the guardian farmer, the one who takes care of the land and its produce.”
It wasn't easy for the Avenanti family at first: in a context dominated by a few medium-large wineries focused on Verdicchio, Bianchello, and Sangiovese, they chose a different approach, focusing on low yields per hectare, organic farming, manual harvesting, and above all, giving the grapes the utmost dignity possible. “Foresight is essential: you need long-term projects and the ability to believe deeply in the idea, not only while you are working, but also while you are waiting. Persevering with your goal, even when results are slow to come or are not immediate, requires energy and passion. In this, my father was a great example of determination and love for the land.”
A WELCOME THAT COMBINES SIMPLICITY, AUTHENTICITY, AND CONVIVIALITY
The Avenanti family has combined this production philosophy with a concept of hospitality that combines a strong connection to the local area with an open outlook on the world. Each apartment on the farm has its own kitchen, offering guests a more private and independent stay. At the same time, there is a communal kitchen with a shared dining room, designed for those who want a more convivial and social experience. “Whenever we can, we cook and eat together with our guests,” they say. “Very often, the best thing is to pick two fresh tomatoes from the garden and prepare a plate of spaghetti on the spot: it's a simple moment, but one full of authenticity.” “The inspiration for this model of hospitality comes from our travels, especially in Northern Europe, where we appreciated a formula that combines independence and sharing. It is a concept that, we are sure, also appeals to our international guests, who are looking for an authentic and familiar welcome.”
Terracruda is much more than a winery: it is a place where those seeking authenticity and simplicity can rediscover the slow pace of nature and rural life. Here, far from mass tourism, you can breathe an atmosphere of genuine hospitality, made up of stories to tell, flavors to discover, and sensations to experience, inviting visitors to slow down, listen to the earth, and let themselves be lulled, as Leopardi wrote, by that infinity that here, among the hills and rows of vines, can truly be touched.
