Phlegraean Fields...millenary wine land

Campania

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.

Astroni Vineyards... the Phlegrean Fields

We are, according to Greek mythology, at the gates of the underworld; in the land that burns, albeit its craters are filled with water and its banks welcome vegetation from a lost paradise. Here one can almost feel the presence of the gods of light and darkness who hover over anyone who navigates around Lake Averno and tries to look at the mythological waters. Phlegrean Fields, burning land of volcanic origin, is a land of charm that combines time, history, myth, poetry, natural beauty. A true treasure trove for those who love archeology.

Due to its mild climate and fertile soil, the "burning land" attracted many ancient populations that settled here; from the Greek settlers from the nearby island of Ischia, followed by the Etruscans, the Samnites and then the Romans. It was during the Ancient Roman Period when Pozzuoli, Baia, Cuma and Miseno had their heyday.

Amphitheaters, spas, and Christian and pagan temples recount history and legends from here. Choose to visit the Sibyl Caves, Lake Averno, Piscina Mirabilis – or marvellous pool- or the stone where Bishop Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, was beheaded.

But "holy blood" is not the only red here - Per'e'Palummo is king, together with the famous Falanghina. And, as Dante said quite well about the location’s light: "overpowers all my senses."

Vigna Astroni

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.

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Vigna Camaldoli

The Camaldoli vineyard, also known as the Colonel’s vineyard, is located on the southern slope of the hill of Camaldoli, and entirely contained in the Naples municipality. The vineyard consists primarily of Piedirosso grapes arranged over several terraces and covers about 5 acres. The topographic reference is 40°52'14" N latitude, 14°10'28" E longitude, with an altitude between 200 m and 290 m above sea level.

The site features sloping topography regulated by a large south-facing banking up on a tuffaceous matrix (yellow Neapolitan Tufo 10,000- 15,000 years ago) in which overlapping layers of pyroclastic tied to the Phlegrean eruptions between 3500-5000 years ago.

The Piedirosso vineyard is fourteen years old with a bilateral Guyot training system. The rows are basically oriented north-south with a planting layout of 2 m x 1.5 m and have a density of 3333 plants / hectare.

Our Colle Rotondella, as well as our Campi Flegrei DOC Piedirosso and Tenuta Camaldoli Piedirosso Reserve wines are produced with the grapes from the Colonel’s vineyard.

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Vigna Imperatrice

The Imperatrice (Empress) vineyard is located north of the Astroni crater at the top of a hill with volcanic origins on the border between the town of Quarto and the city of Naples.

The vineyard, comprised exclusively of Falanghina grapes, is oriented to the south and extends for about 2 hectares on terraces, in which have an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level in most places.

Our Colle Imperatrice and our Campi Flegrei Falanghina DOC wines are produced with the grapes from the Imperatrice vineyard.

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Vigna Iossa

Vigna Iossa is a project dedicated to the founders of the company, Don Giovanni and Donna Luisa, and is therefore also known as "The Founder’s Vineyard." The idea came to life in 2012 with the acquisition of the Jossa Estate; about 3 hectares of land. Over a century history and acquired know how has been synthesized and sublimated in this space. Here awareness of the wine growing potential in the Phlegrean territory and micro area of ??Camaldoli is at home.

About 50% of the property has been planted with white grapevines while the remaining 50% is red. The property is about 243 m above sea level at its highest point with the best exposure. It has three large plains plus a small one with South - South West, row orientation, The Piedirosso vines are derived from a mass selection and was planted with a planting layout of 135 x 180. While in the lower area, 6 Falanghina terraces derived from a mass selection reach begin at 200 meters above sea level and reach a height of 220 meters above sea level.

The training system used is the double inverted system for the reds with North-South orientation with a unilateral Guyot training system and a 90 x 170 planting layout.

The first wines made in the Founder’s Vineyard will be marketed in 2018 with the production of a White Campi Flegrei DOC and Red Campi Flegrei DOC. The reason for this lies in the project itself: a wine dedicated to the founders can only be a story of a territory, the same area that has made the Astroni Winery.

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Phlegraean Fields - Vigna Astroni vineyard of Cantine Astroni - Falanghina of Phlegraean Fields

Phlegraean Fields - Vigna Astroni vineyard of Cantine Astroni - boundary wall of bourbon age

Cantine Astroni - Vigna Camaldoli vineyard - Piedirosso of Phlegraean Fields

Naples...beyond the Phlegrean Fields

Vesuvio

Vesuvius, for residents is known simply as “a mountain”, dominates a multitude of places full of charm, history and culture.

Fertile places that have always witnessed great agricultural tradition and offer high quality wines; from the Miglio d’Oro -Golden Mile (whose fame began with the construction of the Portici Palace, built by Charles of Bourbon). There is a very rich volcanic soil in Somma Vesuviana and it is the perfect place for large biodiversity. Here there are as many as 612 species of plants and 227 animal species. It is impossible to forget that these were the beloved lands of the Grand Tour that European intellectuals undertook between late the 1700s and mid 1800s, remained fascinated by the colors and energy released from the area.

GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS: The Vesuvius area, located east of the city of Naples, is characterized by the Somma - Vesuvius volcanic complex and is arguably the most famous volcano in the world. Vesuvius reaches the maximum altitude of 1,252 meters above sea level and declines rapidly towards the sea to the south / south-east and towards the Campania plain in the other directions.

CLIMATE: The Vesuvius area enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild rainy winters and hot summers with a constant breeze. Average temperatures in the coastal areas are about 14 ° C in winter and 28 ° C in summer, while in the foothills the average is 5-7 ° C. Average annual rainfall is around 950 mm and occurs primarily in autumn.

GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS: Vesuvius alternates between violent explosive eruptions to effusive events featuring spectacular gas columns, fountains and rivers of lava. It was formed about 25,000 years ago, probably as a submarine volcano, emerged subsequently as an island and finally joined the mainland. The succession of explosive and effusive phases, led to a soil structure formed by layers of loose products, such as lava, ash and sand (explosive phases) alternating with rocky banks and lava flows (effusive phases).

Penisola Sorrentina

The Sorrento Peninsula is a place of unique beauty with hills alternating with deep valleys, terraces sloping towards the sea to admire the islands of the Gulf of Naples, and human dedicated to the protecting biodiversity.

Here the blue of the sky and the sea and the green of the hills are the dominant colors. The rainbow is also enriched with oranges, lemons, olive trees and the vines that rise imposingly throughout the entire territory. Often the Sorrento Peninsula is known as the "gardens of delight" whose wealth of biodiversity and topography of the area are accompanied by the charm of history and culture.

GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS: The Sorrento Peninsula separates the Gulf of Naples (Sorrento coast) from the Gulf of Salerno (Amalfi coast) and is a minor ridge of the Apennines which includes Mount Lattari. The Gragnano and Lettere municipalities are located on the Naples side of the Sorrento Peninsula. Gragnano is about 3 km from the sea and at an altitude of about 250 m above sea level while Lettere is about 5 km from the sea and at an altitude of 350 m above sea level.

CLIMATE: The climate is typically Mediterranean and temperate, thanks to the presence of the Mount Lattari mountain range which protects the Peninsula from winds. Temperatures range between 30 ° C in summer and 0 / -1 ° C in winter. The average annual rainfall is around 1000 mm and occurs primarily in the autumn / winter. GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS: The land base is made of limestone and dolomitic limestone, on top of which sediments consisting of sandstones and clays and sediments associated with pyroclastic Phlegrean and Vesuvius eruptions can be found.

GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS: The land base is made of limestone and dolomitic limestone, on top of which sediments consisting of sandstones and clays and sediments associated with pyroclastic Phlegrean and Vesuvius eruptions can be found.

Irpinia

Irpinia, ovvero terra del lupo. Così la nominarono i primi abitanti insediatisi nell’area, i quali consacrarono al lupo la loro genia, “fiera e bellicosa”. Un tempo giungeva fino a Benevento ma oggi l’Irpinia si identifica quasi completamente con la Provincia di Avellino, terra della natura incontaminata in cui arte, tradizioni enogastronomiche, borghi e boschi regalano durante tutto l’anno un fascino particolare.

Aspetti Geografici: L’Irpinia è ubicata nell’entroterra campano ed è compresa prevalentemente nella Provincia di Avellino. L’area è costituita prevalentemente da colline e montagne boscose.

Aspetti Climatici: Il clima è classificato come temperato mediterraneo d’altitudine, comune alle aree collinari interne delle regioni del centro-sud d’Italia. La piovosità è la sua caratteristica predominante, con precipitazioni medie che superano i 1200 mm./anno. Dal punto di vista termico, la differenza tra la media mensile del mese più caldo (Luglio) e quella del mese più freddo (Gennaio) è di 16.9°C, mentre per ben 6 mesi l’anno si riscontrano medie di temperature inferiori ai 10°C.

Aspetti Geologici: La struttura geologica è costituita da banchi calcareo-dolomitici sui quali è possibile riscontrare la presenza di depositi più recenti costituiti da argille, depositi alluvionali quali sabbie e ghiaie nonché di depositi vulcanici provenienti dai Campi Flegrei e dal Vesuvio, generati dalle numerose eruzioni dei vulcani campani.