Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
One of the main protagonists in the renaissance of Southern Italian wines, Feudi di San Gregorio had carved out a reputation for making truly world-class wines in less than 30 years. The company began in the mid-1980s with the aim of safeguarding local traditions and unlocking the potential of key indigenous grapes such as Fiano, Greco, Falanghina and Aglianico. In 2021, Feudi di San Gregorio received the B Corporation (B Corp) certification, rewarding companies whose aim is to be a positive and regenerative force for the environment and the community. The same year, Feudi was also awarded the Equalitas certification which officially recognises social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainability, through biodiversity, carbon and water footprint and ecological cultivation practices. As a multi award-winning producer for its outstanding wines, Feudi di San Gregorio also features in the 2021 Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries and in 2024 Feudi was awarded The Old Vine Hero Award for Research on ‘The Patriarchs’, a study and catalogue of century-old Aglianico vines from Taurasi.

THE VINTAGE:
The 2016 vintage in Campania saw an abundance of rain in June, which resulted in irregular fruit set and slowed down the ripening cycle. Autumn rains in September did not help this challenging vintage. A severe green harvest and strict selection of the grapes helped to save the vintage. Yields were down compared to 2015; the grapes that remained produced aromatic wines, lighter in style with a refreshing acidity.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The Aglianico vines are planted in the historic “Dal Re” vineyard, where the ancient, low-yielding vines are between an incredible 150 to 180 years old. This region of the Apennine countryside is known as Irpinia, and it has a unique terroir and climate in which vineyards coexist with fruit trees, olives and aromatic herbs. The winds here divert a beneficial rainfall which creates a microclimate in Irpinia where the winters, though brief, are snowy and cold, and the summers can be wet and prolonged. The soils are volcanic, sandstone and marl. Each vineyard is closely monitored with a meteorological station, and the technologies of the new state-of-the-art wine cellar ensure that each vintage comes as close to perfection as possible. In accordance with the sustainable Equalitas certification, the vineyards are cultivated using ecological practices to maintain the equilibrium of the environment. Soil and fertiliser management strategies are employed, pesticides are not used, biodiversity is positively encouraged, and weeding does not take place between the rows of vines.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
Fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel tanks and lasted for approximately three to four weeks. The wine was matured for a minimum of 12 months in medium-toasted French barriques and 50-hectolitre barrels. The wine was then aged for a minimum of 12 months in the bottle, prior to release.

OUR TASTING NOTE:
A complex and warm wine bursting with cherry notes, sweet spice, liquorice, coffee and tobacco combined with a beautiful spicy minerality. A well-structured wine with great length.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Aglianico 100%.