The area, just south of the border with the Marche, is concentrated in the province of Teramo, around the communes of Torano Nuovo, Ancarano, Corropoli, Colonel and Controguerra, which overlook the Tronto River Valley.
The region was enshrined as a DOC in 1996, thanks to the persistent efforts of a few winegrowers whose current plantings under the DOC/DOP area cover around 40 hectares (100 acres). The producers helped bring Controguerra into the limelight by producing wines from international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot, which were a novelty at the time.
Despite the appellation's relatively recent appearance, it has established a name for itself by producing some excellent red and white wines.
Winemakers there follow strict rules, whereby a single-varietal wine must consist of a minimum of 85 percent of the stated variety, the remainder being made up of other permitted varieties of the same color. These wines are produced from Chardonnay, Passerina, Pecorino, Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
Generic "bianco" must contain a minimum of 50 percent Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and a minimum of 10 percent Passerina. Rosato and rosso wines must be a minimum of 70 percent Montepulciano.
Sparkling "spumante metodo classico" must contain a minimum of of 60 Trebbiano while 30 percent must contain any portion of Chardonnay, Pecorino and/or Verdicchio. This can also be produced as a vintage-dated "millesimato".
There is also a Passito Rosso consisting of dried Montepulciano grapes (minimum 70 percent) and a passito bianco (which must be a minimum of 60 percent Malvasia, Passerina and/or Trebbiano). An additional term, Annoso, is given to these wines if they have been aged in a small barrels for a minimum of 30 months.
