Campania is Terra Felix, or fertile soil, which is a full bloom of plant biodiversity. The relationship between Campania and wine is very old, written about by great classical writers and chronicled in the numerous archaeological finds that document the presence of vineyards and the excellent quality of the wines produced. The Campania region has been without doubt one of the first and most important centers of population, cultivation, study and diffusion of vineyards and wine in the whole world. The best wines of antiquity praised by Cicero, Pliny, Martial, Tibullus and many others are from Campania, thanks to the characteristics of the area and the refined techniques of cultivation and vinification.
Vitis Hellenica, Aminea Gemina, Vitis Apiana, Aminea lanata or Minuscola are just some of the names the Romans used in classifying main vine varieties. They are the same ones that are the natural descendants of the best native grape varieties cultivated today: Falanghina, Piedirosso, Aglianico , Fiano, Greek, Biancolella, Coda di Volpe, and Asprinio.
The millennial enological history of Campania is the basis of a rich ampelographic heritage. Recent studies have shown the presence of more than 100 varieties of vines in the region. A number that high cannot be found in any other ??wine production area. Campania, however, in addition to a varietal amplitude, is also characterized by a great variety of settings suited to vine cultivation, each with specific connotations and potential to induce marks of quality and uniqueness in the wines produced.
The environment and autochthonous vines: this combination is critical to the success of Campania wines.
The Astroni Vineyard is located near the crater of the same name, on the border of the 17th century boundary wall commissioned by Charles of Bourbon in defense of his personal hunting ground, and now a nature reserve managed by WWF Italy.
The vineyard extends for about two hectares and is part of the estate that also includes the Astroni Winery wine cellars and office
The vineyards , with an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level and topographic reference of 40 ° 50'52 "N latitude, 14 ° 09'35" E longitude, is entirely located in the city of Naples and is disposed on the east - southeast of the crater. The vineyard is divided on several terraces and predominantly house Falanghina vines with a small presence Piedirosso grapevines.
The Falanghina vineyard is eighteen years old, ungrafted, with an espalier training system with bilateral Guyot from a conversion of the original vines. The rows are basically oriented on north-south, with a planting layout of 2 mx 1.5 m and have a density of 3333 plants / hectare.
The soils have a volcanic origin and a pyroclastic form , certainly linked to the Phlegrean eruptions between 3500 – 5000 years ago, and are defined by a layered subacid or neutral reaction lithological structure , with a major quantity of potassium, phosphorus, calcium oxide, and also reduced carbonates.
Our Falanghina crus: Strione and Vigna Astroni are produced using the grapes from this vineyard.