Writing on the fly this morning as I head for another day of tasting and visits in Abruzzo (for my ongoing project for the Abruzzo wine growers consortium).

But had to share my experience from last night.

As it so happened, Les Caves De Pyrene, the leading distributor of cool-kid wines in Italy, was having a regional buyers tasting in Pescara where I’m staying.

I was lucky enough to snag an invitation to the dinner they held last night at a wonderful venue in the city’s industrial district, Fabbrica del Vino.

There I met and tasted with Terre di Sovernaja, a producer of cask-fermented, cask-aged Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Fantastic wines.

I also got to taste with Arteteke, an Aglianico del Vulture grower whose collective provides wine trade training for young people with disabilities.

Another winner in my book — the wine and the people.

Was the conversation dominated last night by tales of woe in an industry that seems to be losing ground every day?

No, not at all! No spreadsheets here!

As we munched on Abruzzese lamb-filled tacos (not very traditional but tasty), the confabulatio was centered on the joys and challenges of viticulture. And the mood was bright and brio. No nostalgia for the “good old days” when big wine supposedly flowed like water.

Maybe it’s because young Italian wineries have a built-in consumer base. Maybe it’s because smaller scale and family focused continue to be winning models in a world where cheap Prosecco sales are falling through the outhouse floor.

Or maybe it’s just because there still are those crazy grape growers and winemakers out there who believe in what they do, who see themselves as part of continuum of viticulture that stretches back millennia.

It would seem that despite all the problems the wine world is facing, passion hasn’t gone out of style.

Thanks again Paolo and Domenico for including me! I had a blast!